MONDAY
FILM
Troll 2
Past Event
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Don't you hate when the ghost of your dead grandfather has to warn you about the plant-munching goblins terrorizing your family's vacation destination? Me too. You'll get the whole gooey, ghoul-ridden story at this screening of so-bad-it's-good 1990 masterpiece Troll 2, which will be presented as part of Sequelopolis, a new series programmed by Queer Screams Film Festival director JT Seaton and dedicated to the "wild world of sequels." Buckle up, and don't forget your corn and Nilbog milk. LC
(Hollywood Theatre, Hollywood District)
LIVE MUSIC
Bonnie “Prince” Billy
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Maybe you know him as singer-songwriter Bonnie "Prince" Billy. Maybe you know him as indie movie actor Will Oldham (if not, watch Kelly Reichardt's Old Joy!) Or possibly under band names/aliases like Palace, Palace Music, Palace Songs, or Palace Brothers. Whatever you know him as, we hope you know that he's one of the most captivating songwriters of our time, crafting intimate and innovative folk songs that have made an undeniable mark on indie rock over the last three decades. Catch him on the heels of the release of his first-ever children's book Shorty's Ark. On night one, he will be joined by experimental electronic artist Patricia Wolf. On night two, PNW folk legend Michael Hurley will open. AV
(Aladdin Theater, Brooklyn)
TUESDAY
LIVE MUSIC
Fenne Lily with Christian Lee Hutson
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Fenne Lily's confessional lyrics are modeled after her real-life struggles with mental health. With her beautifully breathy vocals and tender indie folk-rock instrumentation, the songs cradle you in a warm blanket and remind you that you're not alone. She will play tracks from her latest output, Big Picture, which reflects both personal and global turmoil, reflecting on the phases of love, letting go, and the ability to self-soothe. Don't miss an opening set from the indie-folk artist (and noted pal of Phoebe Bridgers) Christian Lee Hutson. AV
(Aladdin Theater, Brooklyn)
WEDNESDAY
FILM
Church of Film: The Other Side of Underneath
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Welsh iconoclast and groundbreaking feminist figure Jane Arden’s The Other Side of Underneath looks carefully at patriarchal power, repression, and violence, skewering it all through the story of a group of girls diagnosed with schizophrenia. (Spoiler: they're not crazy, society is crazy.) The flick was filmed while Arden and her crew were under the influence of LSD, which is awesome in the way that only art made in the early '70s manages to be. Come for the beautiful, intricate set pieces and visual design, and stay for the uncomfortable social critique. LC
(Clinton Street Theater, Hosford-Abernethy)
LIVE MUSIC
Dreamer Isioma with Amindi
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On their latest album, Princess Forever, Chicago-based, Nigerian American, nonbinary artist Dreamer Isioma hops around subjects, genres, and styles like a complex web of dreams that blends memories from across time and space. In these dreams, bouncy R&B anthems morph into psychedelic rock songs, Left Eye-esque raps evolve into shimmering vocal runs, and fatalistic jams like "Fuck Tha World" jump to candy-sweet love songs like "Technicolor Love." They will swing through town to support the album alongside kindred singer-songwriter/rapper Amindi. AV
(Holocene, Buckman)
Rico Nasty
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Your favorite rowdy and raspy-voiced rapper is coming to Portland, providing fans a chance to hear her acclaimed 2022 album Las Ruinas live. Ever since her studio debut, Nasty, the rapper’s career has been built on a foundation of genre bending—from sugary pop production to boom bap, to hardcore metal, and pop punk, Rico’s been heard on it all. On Las Ruinas, the artist pulls from an even wider range of influences and sounds, incorporating everything from tender singing to her signature rage-fueled raps. But the artist is perhaps best known for her rollicking live shows. There will definitely be time set aside for deeper cuts like her earliest most recognizable hits like “Bitch I’m Nasty,” “Smack a Bitch,” and newer bops like her latest weed-fired banger “Gotsta Get Paid.” JENNI MOORE
(Roseland Theater, Old Town-Chinatown)
THURSDAY
READINGS & TALKS
Tom Hanks in Conversation
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Perhaps it's never crossed your mind. Perhaps it never seemed like a possibility. But you do, in fact, want to be in the same room as Tom Hanks. Think about it: he's tall, unproblematic, and probably starred in a movie you love to love. He posts inscrutable stuff like this, and, in a delightfully dad-like gesture, signs all of his posts "Hanx." He has also won some Academy Awards, or whatever. Doesn't matter! He is Tom Hanks! Another thing Tom Hanks does is write books. His latest, The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece, follows the production of a comic book-turned-superhero film and vacillates between three time periods. In Hanks' (Hanx's?) own words, "Even the foolish moments are some kind of stunt I've pulled or mistake I've survived." LC
(Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Southwest Portland)
SATURDAY
FESTIVALS
TEDxPortland
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If you've ever yearned to hear the phrase "welcome to my TED talk" in real life, well, here's your chance. This year's TEDxPortland conference, which is on a "confluence" theme, features talks and performances that aim to foster unity and understanding amid polarization, skepticism, and division. Featured guests include culinary groundbreaker Kiauna "Kee" Nelson, who was featured on Netflix's Street Food: USA, and GZA, a founding member of Wu-Tang Clan, among many others. LC
(Keller Auditorium, Downtown Portland)
LIVE MUSIC
Joseph: The Sun Tour
Past Event
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I am obsessed with sister-led bands. Maybe it's because I have two sisters myself, but when I hear a trio of sisters harmonizing together (à la Haim, the Pointer Sisters, Sister Sledge, the Roaches, the Shaggs, the list goes on!) I usually well up with tears. For that reason, I am so grateful that the PNW has Joseph to claim as our own. And luckily for us, the Portland-based indie-folk group will play two consecutive hometown shows on The Sun tour to support their new album of the same name. The aptly-titled album evokes the warm rays of golden hour with picked guitars, bright, unrestrained harmonies, and deeply personal lyricism. They will be joined by the British folk duo Flyte. AV
(Revolution Hall, Buckman)
PARTIES & NIGHTLIFE
Champagne Wishes & Grunge Dreams: PICA Prom (1995 ed.)
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Don thy butterfly hair clips, 'cuz the trendiest fundraiser in town will return on a glittery mid-’90s prom theme this year. Contemporary art mavens PICA have pulled out all the stops to offer up a "high-energy alternative to a stodgy fundraiser"—Carrie Brownstein will offer up a too-cool ‘90s playlist, The Moth host Andrew Dickson will emcee, and Ahamefule J. Oluo, Rebecca Gates, and Shannon Funchess will perform. The dress code leans more toward Björk-chic than Saved by the Bell, so maybe just wear the coolest thing in your closet. LC
(PICA, Eliot)
READINGS & TALKS
Chasten Buttigieg in Conversation With Carrie Brownstein
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Chasten Buttigieg, bespectacled teacher, LGBTQ+ activist, and hubby to US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, will shimmy into Portland in celebration of I Have Something to Tell You — For Young Adults, a YA adaptation of his bestselling memoir. The tome details his upbringing as a closeted gay youth in a rural Midwestern town in the aughts, which, as a fellow millennial, I can predict was a total pain in the ass. In a delightfully oddball pairing, Buttigieg will chat with riot grrrl icon Carrie Brownstein, founding member of Sleater-Kinney and author of Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl. LC
(Powell's City of Books, Pearl District)
SUNDAY
COMMUNITY
Good Food: Jewish Food and Jewish Values in the New Pacific Northwest
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Take a deep dive into Jewish food culture at this event, which will include talks, panels, breakout groups, and presentations from guests like Lisa Schroeder of Mother's Bistro and Bar, Jessie Aron of Malka, Noah Jacob of Jacob and Sons, journalist Deena Prichep, and Rabbi Natan Margalit. You'll learn about food justice, Kabbalistic perspectives on food, cooking techniques, and Jewish cuisine's role in the Portland food scene. For lunch, tuck into offerings from local Jewish restaurants and caterers, which will represent traditions from all over the Jewish diaspora. JB
(Eastside Jewish Commons, Kerns)
FOOD & DRINK
Pink! Rosé Festival
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Happy rosé season to those who celebrate! Whatever your thoughts on the increasingly ubiquitous blush beverage, it's hard to imagine a drink better suited for spring weather and picnics. Get your fill of pink nectar at the second annual edition of this festival hosted at Ron Tonkin Field, which will feature wood-fired pizza, street tacos, music, and more in addition to 22 participating wineries, including Cooper Mountain Vineyards, Eagles Nest Reserve, Helvetia Winery, Lolati Wines, and more. JB
(Ron Tonkin Field)
LIVE MUSIC
Kali Uchis
Past Event
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She’s just a flight away, so Latin pop gem Kali Uchis will take a private plane to Portland. Describing her critically acclaimed third album Red Moon in Venus to Consequence as a “burning expression of desire, heartbreak, faith, and honesty” while reflecting the “divine femininity of the moon and Venus,” Uchis employs botanical imagery, glittering electronics, and dreamy featherlight vocals that make listeners feel like they’re floating in the heavens. She will be joined by British pop artist RAYE, who you might know from her recent viral hit “Escapism.” AV
(Keller Auditorium, Downtown Portland)
MULTI-DAY
COMEDY
Dan Soder
Past Event
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Unpretentious, deep-voiced comedy king Dan Soder offers a refreshing take on the mundanity of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show and turning 30 in his laid-back style of stand-up, which is, according to promotional materials, "littered with killer tidbits." We'll forgive the littering as long as Soder keeps bringing his unique humor, which includes enthusiastic support for old people. Now that's a cause we can get behind. LC
(Thursday–Saturday, Helium Comedy Club, Hosford-Abernethy)
FESTIVALS
McMenamins UFO Fest 2023
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Prep for a trip out of this world—or at least to McMinnville, where the 1950 Trent sighting yielded some of the most well-known UFO photos to date. (The more ya know!) Encompassing two days of expert speakers (including "ET experiencer" Sev Tok), a UFO costume parade, an alien pet costume contest(!!!), live music, sci-fi flicks, and more, this extraterrestrial event is the second largest of its kind in the country after one held in Roswell. The truth is out there somewhere, right? LC
(Friday–Saturday, Hotel Oregon)
FILM
21st Annual Filmed by Bike
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Hop on two wheels for this festival of bike-friendly films celebrating Portland's robust cycling culture. Filmed by Bike celebrates its 21st anniversary this year with a jam-packed lineup of short film screenings, after-parties, and (of course) bike rides, plus virtual viewing options. There are over 50 flicks on the docket this year, so it's tricky to pick a favorite, but we're intrigued by the animated Dutch flick Cycle and Riding Han, which was partially funded by a Filmed by Bike BIPOC filmmaker grant. LC
(Thursday–Sunday, Hollywood Theatre, Hollywood District)
Master Gardener
Past Event
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Say what you will about Paul Schrader (and there's, uh, a lot to say—I'm a diehard fan of this Twitter account that tracks the cinema auteur's unhinged Facebook posts), but the dude knows how to tell a story in a clear, precise, and maybe even transcendental style. If you saw First Reformed, you're already familiar with Schrader's austere brand of spiritualism. Hopefully, Master Gardener continues the thread; the flick follows Joel Edgerton as a horticulturist at a historic estate, where his wealthy employer demands he take on a troubled new apprentice, triggering chaos and potentially violent reveals. LC
(Friday–Sunday, Laurelhurst Theater, Buckman)
FOOD & DRINK
Oregon AAPI Food & Wine Fest
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Oregon Wine Month and AAPI Heritage Month coincide in May, and this inaugural event combines the two with a seriously stacked lineup of fifteen AAPI-owned restaurants and wineries. Nosh on fare from local favorites like Bhuna, Kim Jong Grillin', Magna, Sibeiho, Sunrice, Baon Kainan, Kau Kau, Matta, Toki, and Heyday while enjoying wine from CHO Wines, Et Fille, Evening Land, Hundred Suns Wine, and Shiba Wichern. Your ticket gets you a souvenir cup and a passport to taste 10 bites and 10 wines. JB
(Saturday–Sunday, Stoller Family Estate, Delta)
PERFORMANCE
True Story
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The final production of Artist Rep's 2022/23 season sees a grief-wracked writer navigate a weird-out ghostwriting gig: He's hired to pen the biography of a wealthy man who was acquitted of his wife's murder on a technicality. Yeah, that doesn't sound suspicious at all. Steinberg Award-winning playwright E.M. Lewis's True Story draws from classic noir detective stories to traverse the slippery terrain of "facts, biases, and perceptions." (Cue moody jazz saxophone here.) LC
(Wednesday–Sunday, Portland Center Stage, Pearl District)
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon
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Based on the Newbery Honor-winning children's novel by Grace Lin and inspired by a Chinese folktale, this theatrical interpretation of Where the Mountain Meets the Moon follows a young girl who sets off on a journey to find the Old Man on the Moon, a legendary character she's heard of through her father's stories. Who doesn’t love a kid on a heroic quest? Determined to transform her family's misfortune, Min Li encounters a treasure trove of magical creatures; we’re fired up to see the novel’s flamboyant red dragon roar to life off the page. LC
(Saturday–Sunday, Newmark Theatre, Southwest Portland)
VISUAL ART
Jessica Jackson Hutchins & Justine Kurland: Killer Maker
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If you're already enmeshed in the Portland art scene, you've likely heard the name "Jessica Jackson Hutchins" float around. Jackson Hutchins' tactile works transform everyday objects into art forms that are both intimately familiar and reverently heightened, and her ambitious, playful style is instantly recognizable. For Killer Maker, a "conversation with art objects," she's paired with Justine Kurland, an NYC-based artist and photographer whose motherhood-inspired series Of Woman Born depicts nude women holding babies dotting a verdant landscape. (The series, created nearly 20 years ago, feels prescient in the wake of the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade reversal.) Jackson Hutchins' bodily assemblages of ceramics, furniture, and "pulped paper growths" respond to Kurland's photographs, but offer "discordant unions." LC
(Tuesday–Saturday, Elizabeth Leach Gallery, Pearl District)
Native Arts and Cultures Foundation Presents Protection: Adaptation & Resistance
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The Native Arts & Cultures Foundation (NACF), whose Center for Native Arts and Cultures now occupies the former Yale Union Laundry building, will present the nationally touring exhibition Protection: Adaptation and Resistance. If you haven't yet seen the historic space, now's the time–NACF celebrates Indigenous artistry and culture with ceremonies, workshops, exhibitions, and more, and the new exhibition's opening night will include a curatorial tour of the Center. Protection: Adaptation and Resistance examines how Indigenous Alaskan artists have fortified their communities in the face of the pandemic, the climate crisis, and assaults on human rights. The show "centers Indigenous ways of knowing," spotlighting traditional stories and collaborative art forms through three themes: Land and Culture Protectors, Activists for Justice, and Sovereignty and Resilient Futures. LC
(Friday–Sunday, Center for Native Arts and Cultures, Central Eastside; opening)
Orcas: Our Shared Future
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Those who keep up on regional wildlife news are likely already aware of a dire situation in the Puget Sound, where Southern Resident Orcas are on the brink of extinction due to pollution, vessel traffic, and a dramatic decline of their primary food source, Chinook salmon. (Unsurprisingly, humans have played a central role in the animal's critically endangered state.) The orca, aka the apex predator of all oceans and an utterly majestic creature that deserves to thrive, is the central focus of Orcas: Our Shared Future. The new exhibition of over 100 Orcinus artifacts includes life-sized replicas, fossils, original artwork from Pacific Northwest Coast Indigenous peoples, and more, offering a rare opportunity to deep-dive into the animal's complex social structures, its connections to humans, and the surprising consequences of orca captivity. LC
(Tuesday–Sunday, Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), Central Eastside; opening)