WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24

FASHION SHOW—The semiannual Fade to Light fashion show is a multimedia sartorial extravaganza. It mixes video production with brand-new looks from some of Portland's most well-respected designers. It's also hella fun. Check out new lines from Ms. Wood, Altar, Laurs Kemp, and more, with an always great soundtrack by DJ Gregarious. Revel in the prettiness. CF
Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside, 8 pm, $10-55, all ages

MUSIC—Parquet Courts recently announced their upcoming full-length, Human Performance, a follow-up to last year's mostly instrumental/kind of disappointing EP, Monastic Living. But judging by their first single, "Dust," a pulsing, intricate urban hymn layered with the sound of birds chirping and car horns, the band is returning to their Americana post-punk roots. CD
w/the Woolen Men; Wonder Ballroom, 128 NE Russell, 8:30 pm, $15-17, all ages

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25

MUSIC—One thing about watching a surf rock show that nobody ever talks about: You want to imbibe as much frozen margarita as possible—enough to usher forth a bleak ice age of brain freeze, but still stay chill to the max. So when local beachy slackers Guantanamo Baywatch and party rockers Mean Jeans have a show scheduled at the slushy-slanging Bunk Bar? You take that shot. DVH
w/Warpfire; Bunk Bar, 1028 SE Water, 9:30 pm, $8

BOOKS—Lucky Chris Offutt, he inherited 400 pornography novels written by his dad (AKA the "King of 20th Century Smut"). Offut will be reading from his memoir, My Father, the Pornographer—the fascinating story of his pop's writing career (which includes penning ghost and time-travel porn), and what must have been a very complicated father/son relationship. WSH
Powell's City of Books, 1005 W Burnside, 7:30 pm, FREE

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26

MUSIC—Tonight's event celebrates Black History Month, particularly black American music history, with performances by hip-hop luminaries Mic Crenshaw, Cool Nutz, and DJ OG One. The night will also feature Portland's own trailblazing emcee Theory Hazit, whose album Fall of the Light Bearer was a highlight of last year's local releases. CD
Rosewood Initiative Community Center, 16126 SE Stark, 7 pm, FREE, all ages

COMEDY—Where would we be without local sketch comedy treasures the Aces, AKA Shelley McLendon and Michael Fetters? I DON'T WANT TO KNOW. When their goofy brains combine, greatness awaits. Tonight, see their latest, Aces National Forest, directed by the equally funny John Breen. Pack tissues for cry-laughter, and leave your soda at home, or, IDK, shoot it out your nose? MB
The Siren Theater, 315 NW Davis, Fri-Sat 8 pm, through March 12, $15-20

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27

MUSIC—On Good Advice, her marvelous new album, Canadian singer/songwriter Basia Bulat embraces a brighter, sparklier sound (partly due to producer Jim James of My Morning Jacket), but rather than obscure her gorgeous folk melodies and heartwarming delivery, it elevates them. NL
w/the Weather Station; Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside, 9 pm, $12-14

MUSIC—The highlight of this year's PDX Jazz Festival is Universal Consciousness, a tribute to the amazing, visionary Alice Coltrane, who broke continual new ground in the avant-jazz arena after the death of her legendary husband. Tonight's tribute features some amazing bona fides, too, with son Ravi Coltrane directing the proceedings and special guest, saxophonist (and John/Alice Coltrane collaborator) Pharoah Sanders. NL
Newmark Theatre, 1111 SW Broadway, 7 pm, $29-59, all ages

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28

OSCARS—You can mockingly sneer at Hollywood's habitual awarding of gold dildos to itself for being awesome-ish at movies. Or you can have more fun, and celebrate the indulgent madness that is the Oscars. The Hollywood Theatre throws open their doors for free, offering up drinks inspired by nominees, costume contests, prizes, and a chance to witness any (deserved) roastings host Chris Rock sees fit to hand out. BR
Hollywood Theatre, 4122 NE Sandy, 4 pm, FREE, all ages

BMX—If you don't have enough "rad" in your life, may I suggest attending the 2016 Xtreme Amateur Games, featuring the BMX Comp at D-Block. Catch the area's most wicked awesome BMX riders who will meet in the EXTREEEEME confines of the D-Block skatepark to strut their best stunts. WSH
D-Block Indoor Skatepark, 8921 SE Jannsen, Bldg D, Clackamas, 11 am start, $15

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 29

BOOKS—Tonight, Portland novelist and purveyor of spare, marvelously fucked-up prose Monica Drake reads from her very first collection of short stories, The Folly of Loving Life, published by local press Future Tense, because we really do live in a city with a surplus of excellent writing and worthy alternatives to the big-house Goliaths of publishing. What a time to be alive! MB
Powell's City of Books, 1005 W Burnside, 7:30 pm, FREE

LECTURE—It's a lot to ask, we know, but yank your gaze away from that refurbished Sega Genesis for a couple of hours tonight, and indulge Dr. Adam Gazzaley, who'll present all sorts of info about what video games do to your brain. It's part of a lecture series called Healthy Pleasures, Unhealthy Habits, so probably don't expect all good news. The more you know, though, right? DVH
Newmark Theatre, 1111 SW Broadway, 7 pm, $27-50, all ages

TUESDAY, MARCH 1

FILM—Director John Hillcoat has yet to do wrong—he killed with Nick Cave collaborations The Proposition and Lawless—so it seems like a good bet to follow him to the streets of Atlanta for a gritty heist flick that's high on great actors (Chiwetel Ejiofor, Kate Winslet, Woody Harrelson) and low on clear-cut morality. Triple 9 looks like a kinetic whirlwind of blood, deceit, and desperation. CF
Various theaters, see Movie Times for times and locations.