Top Things to Do This Weekend: Mar 30–Apr 2
This is your last chance to see the work of Adrian Landon Brooks at Stephanie Chefas Projects.
Books & Talks
Bianca Bosker
7:30 p.m. Fri, Powell's City of Books, FREE
In Cork Dork, the journalist goes headfirst into the world of wine fanaticism, meeting obsessive sommeliers, crashing exclusive tasting groups, and visiting mass-market wine producers in California. She'll be joined in conversation by Portland Monthly food critic Karen Brooks.
Mama C: Warrior Woman of Peace
6–9 p.m. Sat, In Other Words, $10
Attend an evening of performance, poetry, and video by Charlotte “Mama C” O’Neal, a writer, musician, artist, former Black Panther, and cofounder of Tanzania’s United African Alliance Community Center. After four years living in exile in Tanzania, O’Neal returns to share her experiences working with youth in East Africa.
Lawrence Krauss
7:30 p.m. Sun, Powell's City of Books, FREE
The theoretical physicist and best-selling author, who splits his time between Portland and Arizona, has just released an expansive work of scientific history called The Greatest Story Ever Told—So Far: Why Are We Here?
Comedy
Ali Wong
7 and 9:30 p.m. Thu–Fri, Newmark Theatre, $39.75–59.75
Ali Wong made history with the release of her Netflix special, Ali Wong: Baby Cobra, by becoming the first comedian to record a stand-up show while seven months pregnant. (Update: She’s now mother to a baby girl!) Wong returns to the stage—sans preggo belly—birthing punchlines and baby jokes a-plenty. Things aren’t slowing down for Wong: she’s got a new TV show, American Housewife, premiering on ABC this fall. For more, check out our Q&A with Wong.
The Liberators
8 p.m. Fri, Siren Theater, $10–15
If the promise of A+ improv isn't enough of a draw, the local maestros are also serving up free slices of pie at tonight's show. Pie! Who can't get behind that?
Dance
Skinner/Kirk Dance Ensemble
7:30 p.m. Thu–Fri, 2 p.m. Sat, BodyVox Dance Center, $30–64
For nigh on 20 years, Portlanders Eric Skinner and Daniel Kirk have been making emotionally rich contemporary dance. This night of new work, set to the music of Elliott Smith (played live), promises to highlight their knack choreographing for male dancers. For more on the show, check out our conversation with Skinner and Kirk.
Music
Laith Al-Saadi
7:30 p.m. Fri, Mississippi Studios, $25–30
A finalist on season 10 of NBC’s The Voice, Laith Al-Saadi won the nation’s heart, with praise from coach Adam Levine as an “incredible guitar player, incredible singer.”
Gil Shaham
2 p.m. Sun, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, $23+
The world-renowned violinist joins the Oregon Symphony for an afternoon of work by Viennese composers.
Lila Downs
7:30 p.m. Sun, Newmark Theatre, $39–69
Daughter of a singing Mixtec Indian runaway, Lila Downs has 10 studio albums, a handful of Latin Grammys, and a performance at the 75th Academy Awards under her belt.
Regina Spektor
8 p.m. Sun, Keller Auditorium, $32.75–72.50
After single-handedly familiarizing the world with the glottal stop in her 2006 single “Fidelity,” the Soviet-born singer-songwriter and pianist has continued to make arty pop just the right side of precious.
Spektor's looking a little spectral.
Image: Courtesy Wikimedia Commons
Tinariwen
8 p.m. Sun, Revolution Hall, SOLD OUT
For nearly 20 years, the Tuareg group has performed its inimitable brand of guitar-driven, bluesy Saharan psych rock. The band’s eighth album, Elwan, is as spellbinding as ever, with lyrics that speak to the tumult of their northern Malian home.
Theater
Lydia
7:30 p.m. Thu–Sat, 2 p.m. Sun, Milagro Theatre, $18–27
The winner of the 2008 Henry Award for Outstanding New Play, Octavio Solis’s moving story follows a girl mentally crippled in a tragic accident who can only communicate with her caretaker, Lydia.
CLOSING Feathers and Teeth
7:30 p.m. Thu–Fri, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sat, 2 p.m. Sun, Artists Repertory Theatre, $25–50
Thirteen-year-old Portland hotshot Agatha Olson stars in Charise Castro Smith’s new “thrilledy” (that’d be a thriller comedy, with ample camp) as a girl mourning the death of her mother while contending with her dad’s new girlfriend—and a plumed monster in a stew pot.
Agatha Olson sets out to slay the monster in a stew pot.
Image: Courtesy Owen Carey
Visual Art
Sam Hamilton
10 a.m.–8 p.m. Thu–Fri, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Sat–Sun, Portland Art Museum, FREE–$19.99
In Standard Candles, the New Zealand artist bridges film, music, performance, and installation. The exhibit, Hamilton’s first solo showing in the US, also features the premiere screening of his feature-length film, Apple Pie.
OPENING Portland Photo Month
Various times and location thru Apr 31, FREE
Local arts nonprofit Photolucida hosts Portland Photo Month, with photography events and exhibitions running throughout April, and a photobook fair—a celebration of all sorts of photography publications—on Friday, April 21.
Art Auction: Don’t Shoot PDX Fundraiser
5–9:30 p.m. Sat, Apr 1, UNA Gallery
The Old Town gallery hosts a silent auction featuring a variety of work by local artists, with funds to benefit Don’t Shoot PDX. Expect live performances, as well as food provided by Revolución Coffee House.
CLOSING We the People
Thu–Fri, Wieden & Kennedy, FREE
This gallery show features demonstration signs from recent social justice marches. The evolving exhibit—community members are welcome to donate their signs—will run through March before traveling around the world to Wieden & Kennedy’s international offices. For each item received, Wieden & Kennedy has pledged to give $10 to Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union, promising a minimum contribution of $10,000. Read more about it here.
CLOSING Adrian Landon Brooks
1–6 p.m. Thu–Fri, Stephanie Chefas Projects, FREE
In Golden Age, the Texas-based artist uses reclaimed wood, bright colors, and geometric patterns to create paintings that evoke folklore and Greek mythology.
