It’s a unique week, ladies and gentlemen. It started late, and I’m afraid these upcoming events will yet again rend you from your desk. Might as well surrender now, to the power of the pre-kend.

TONIGHT
Comedian Hannibal Buress
Bridgetown Comedy brings Saturday Night Live contributing writer and standup stylist Hannibal Buress to Mississippi Studios.

THURSDAY
QDoc 2010
Count on a drag queen to execute a deft kickoff—of a garter, a troublemaker, or an event. This year, The Queer Documentary Film Festival has tapped the talents of San Francisco veteran Vicki Marlane, still kicking well into her 70’s, to introduce the first feature, Forever’s Gonna Start Tonight, which also stars Marlane and honors her storied past. QDoc will continue throughout the weekend at the Clinton Street Theater. Visit the trailer page for heart-melting moments from many of the fest’s featured films.

OBT’s Dance United
Oregon Ballet Theater invites you to the second annual Dance United. They’ve also thoughtfully invited an elite cadre of world-class ballet companies (Australia, Miami, and San Francisco Ballets, just to name a few). Most of the evening’s offerings are "Pas De Deux," or "dance for two," so come prepared to witness en pointe displays of one-on-one passion.

Portland Piano International presents Phyllis Chen
Portland Piano International is expanding its parameters—or rather, compressing them—with a foray into a smaller room, and a shorter span of ivories. In the cabinlike confines of the Doug Fir, toy piano prodigy Phyllis Chen will tickle the tiny keys, supported by the accordion stylings of Courtney Von Drehle of 3 Leg Torso.

First Thursday
Consider this a friendly reminder: it’s time once again, to traipse around the Pearl in search of treasure. For more on this month’s specific offerings, see Graham’s Bell’s preview picks, below.