Set in the Jack London's cozy basement bar, the Ladies First: Hip-Hop/Soul Showcase brings together some of the town's stalwart music acts. From rapper/radio personality KayelaJ to MC/loop-pedal maestro Lisa Vazquez to a high-energy performance from Karma Rivera, there's lots to see here. But perhaps the most moving part of the evening will be a partially improvised set from soul singer/multi-instrumentalist Amenta Abioto, who also uses looping techniques to create her music, weaving vocal sounds together with kalimba, synths, drum machine, and guitar. Originally from Nashville but residing in Portland, Abioto's soothing Southern accent and joyful experimentalism are like a breath of fresh air. by Jenni Moore