It's cold out, but it's not too cold. Just brisk enough to put a little extra pep in that step, to move you from one Autumnal adventure to the other and enjoy the best of the Fall season in Portland, with an abundance of arts, music, movies, and food events to keep your entertainment plate stacked like a Thanksgiving dinner. Check out our curated menu below, and don't forget to visit our Things to Do calendar for even more quality fun!
Ta-Nehisi Coates
Literary Arts presents a night soaking up knowledge direct from award-winning author and journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates, in conversation with fellow bestseller Renee Watson, as they discuss Coates' previous works as well as his first novel, The Water Dancer. (Mon Oct 21, 7:30 pm, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, $15-85)
HUMP!
The HUMP! Film Festival has been bringing audiences a new kind of porn since 2005. The festival features short dirty moviesâeach less than five minutesâall created by people who arenât porn stars but want to be one for a weekend. The filmmakers and stars show us what they think is hot and sexy, creative and kinky, their ultimate turn-ons and their craziest fantasies. Our carefully curated program is a cornucopia of body types, shapes, ages, colors, sexualities, genders, kinks, and fetishesâall united by a shared spirit of sex-positivity. HUMP! is a celebration of creative sexual expression. You will see films at HUMP! that shock you. You will see films at HUMP! that make you laugh. And you will see films at HUMP! that turn you on. You will also be touched by the sincerity and vulnerability with which these films are lovingly made. HUMP!âs main mission is to change the way America seesâand makes and sharesâporn. (Nov 8-23, Revolution Hall, $20-25, click here for dates and showtimes)
Danny Brown, Ashnikko, ZeelooperZ
Often shallowly depicted as merely a party rapper, Danny Brown contains a multitude of substance. Tonight Brownâs gap-toothed grin will no doubt get the good times rolling, but donât miss the fascinating self-laceration thatâs going on between his lines. (Mon Oct 28, 8 pm, Roseland, $25, all ages)
National Theatre Live: Fleabag
Third Rail presents a hi-definition screening of Phoebe Waller-Bridge's award-winning, one-woman show that inspired the hit TV series Fleabag, broadcast to Portland's World Trade Center Theater from Londonâs West End. (Sun Oct 20, noon; Sat Oct 26, 4 pm; World Trade Center Theatre, $23)
Sleater-Kinney, KAINA
The pioneering Pacific Northwest indie rock outfit headed up by Carrie Brownstein and Corin Tucker returns to the Crystal Ballroom stage for a headlining show supporting their new St. Vincent-produced album, The Center Wonât Hold. (Tues-Wed Nov 19-20, 8 pm, Crystal Ballroom, $35-40, all ages)
Macbeth
Portland Center Stage presents this "stripped-down" production of the classic tragedy, with three of Portland's strongest acting talents (Chantal DeGroat, Dana Green, and Lauren Bloom Hanover taking on all the roles, while the score is performed via Heather Christian's shape-note song. Directed by Adriana Baer. (Tues-Thurs 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm, Through Nov 24, Ellyn Bye Studio at the Armory, $25-62)
Lucy Dacus, Liza Anne, Sun June
It makes sense that Lucy Dacus has catapulted to such high acclaim; the directness of her writing, and the subdued music she drives it with, is a great study in earnest songwriting. Following Dacusâ 2016 debut, No Burden, she hit the road and seems like sheâs hardly been off it, what with her immediate post-âNo Burdenâ tour forming of Boygenius with Phoebe Bridgers and Julien Baker. 2018 was even more a stepping-out party for Dacus, as her follow-up LP, Historian, basically floored everyone whoâs heard it and landed at or near the top of numerous Best of 2018 lists. If you havenât invested any time listening to Dacus yet, what the fuck are you waiting for? (Wed Oct 23, 8 pm, Aladdin Theater, $18-20, all ages)
Cher, Nile Rodgers, Chic
The legendary pop star brings her "Here We Go Again" Tour to the Moda Center to perform a set of hits, deep cuts, and songs off her latest album, Dancing Queen, a tribute to the music of ABBA. (Tues, Nov 19, 7:30 pm, Moda Center, $64.95 & Up)
The Portland Book Festival
Formerly known as Wordstock, the Portland Book Festival is now saddled with a stultifyingly boring nameâbut itâs still crammed with great authors and events, so weâll allow it. This yearâs fest features eight billion booksellers and publishers selling their wares (from Southwest Portlandâs Annie Bloomâs Books to San Franciscoâs McSweeneyâs), plus readings, discussions, workshops, food, film screenings... and thatâs not even getting into the reliably fun, reliably boozy (and reliably free!) Lit Crawl! (Sat Nov 9, 9 am, Portland Art Museum, $15-20, all ages)
Killer Pumpkin Fest
A one-day mini-beerfest focused on the wonderfulness of taking pumpkins and turning them into beers, with Rogue providing a whole bunch of actual pumpkins to bowl, decorate, carve, and/or smash, with the kitchen providing a special pumpkin menu to pair with the abundance of pumpkin ales to sample. Also featuring costume contests for kids, grown-ups, and even your dogs. Proceeds benefit Camp Ukandu. (Sat Oct 26, 11 am, Rogue Eastside Pub & Pilot Brewery, $5, all ages)
Frankie Cosmos
Frankie Cosmos (AKA singer/songwriter Greta Kline and her backing band of Lauren Martin, Luke Pyneson, and Alex Bailey) bring their infectious and tender indie pop back to the Wonder Ballroom for an all-ages show supporting their latest Sub Pop-issued album, Close it Quietly. (Thurs Oct 31, 8:30 pm, Wonder Ballroom, $17-20, all ages)
Big Freedia, Low Cut Connie
New Orleans artist Big Freedia has been credited with the rising popularity of bounce music, and her shows are said to be some of the most activating, fun, twerktastic parties around. (Sun Nov 17, 8:30 pm, Wonder Ballroom, $25-28)
'80s Video Dance Attack's Monster 2-Floor Halloween Party
The annual '80s Video Dance Attack Halloween Party returns to the Crystal Ballroom and Lola's Room with a special spooky installment to kick-start your Halloween weekend. The top floor is classic Dance Attack experience (except with way more candy corn), while Lola's Room puts a strong focus on the New Wave hits, so if you're feeling a little post-punky or goth, you know where to go. Come dressed to impress for a chance to win a big prize in the costume contest. (Fri Oct 25, 8 pm, Crystal Ballroom, $25)
Hustle & Drone, Karma Rivera, Kileo
When you get a chance to hear Portland electro-pop trio Hustle & Drone show off their latest adventures in dance, you should probably take it. That goes double when they are celebrating the release of a new album, which happens to be the case tonight. Be one of the first 25 through the door and you'll take home a free CD of the band's latest, What an Uproar. (Thurs Nov 14, 8:30 pm, Bunk Bar, $7)
Nicole Byer
Helium hosts a weekend of stand-up with the Los Angeles-based comedian and actress who came up in New York City as a student at the Upright Citizens Brigade and went on to become the host of Netflix's hit comedic reality bake-off, Nailed It, as well as make appearances on MTVâs Girl Code, 30 Rock, @Midnight, and Conan. (Nov 21-23, Thurs 8 pm, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm & 10 pm, Helium Comedy Club, $17-33)
The Get Up Kids, Kevine Devine, The Whiffs
The second wave emo pioneers out of Kansas City keep their reunion going strong when they swing through the Doug Fir Lounge for an intimate Portland show supporting Problems, the band's first new full-length since 2011's There Are Rules. (Sat Nov 16, 8 pm, Doug Fir, $27-32)
Y La Bamba
Portland-based singer/songwriter Luz Elena Mendoza brings her beloved indie-folk and pop project to the Doug Fir Lounge for a two-night stand celebrating the release of her new Tender Loving Empire-issued EP, Entre Los Dos. (Thurs-Fri Oct 25-26, 9 pm, Doug Fir, $16-20)
Crime Junkie Podcast: Live
Get your true crime fix when host Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat bring their popular podcast to the Revolution Hall stage for the Portland stop on their first-ever live tour. (Thurs Nov 7, 8 pm, Revolution Hall, $35, all ages)
Thom Yorke
This has been a plentiful year for fans of Radiohead frontman Thom Yorkeâs wobbly falsetto, around which he builds the majority of his ethereal, noise-touched pop ballads. Last fall he waltzed in with his first feature score, for Luca Guadagninoâs Suspiria remake, which was terrific if overpowered by the titular âSuspiriumâ track. (Keep it on the record; just, for godâs sake, get it out of the movie.) In June, haxxors stole over 16 hours of Yorkeâs MiniDisc recordings with the notion of ransoming them andâbeing truly unmoved by this threatâhe offered them up to his fans, donating the profits to environmentalist group Extinction Rebellion. (I bought it.) Weeks later, Yorkeâs third solo album Anima hit number one on the Billboard Dance/Electronic Albums chart, his first record ever to do so. You can expect a night of quiet, delicate musical majesties so no talking, and no shouting for âCreep.â (Tues Oct 22, 8 pm, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, $59.50)
The Annual Beaujolais Nouveau Festival
The annual Beaujolais Nouveau festival returns to the Heathman, where notable winemakers bring their best versions of Nouveau to the restaurant, and it gets paired with culinary miracles via some of the city's best chefs, and live music by Heather Keizur. KGW's Brenda Braxton and Ashley Korslein host. Proceeds benefit Pueblo Unido. (Fri Nov 22, 6 pm, Heathman Restaurant, $65-1800)
Jonathan Richman
With a conversational vocal style and a wide-eyed worldview, Jonathan Richman writes songs that are deceptively simple and utterly heartwarming. The former Modern Lover plays stripped-down acoustic sets backed solely by drummer Tommy Larkin, but donât worry about him getting lost in the large Revolution HallâRichman has a way of making even the biggest show sound wonderfully intimate. (Sat Nov 2, 8 pm, Revolution Hall, $20-25)
Jenny Slate
Ask me whom Iâd like to be stuck on a desert island with, or be our next president, and my answer is the same: Jenny Motherfucking Slate. Sheâs the absolutely hilarious actress/comedian known for so many of your favorite roles, including Mona-Lisa Saperstein on Parks and Recreation, Liz B. on the Kroll Show, and the voice of viral sensation Marcel the Shell with Shoes On as well as Missy from Big Mouth! Sheâs charming, funny as fuck, and you should beg, borrow, and steal to catch the Portland stop on her Little Weirds book tour at Revolution Hall. Sorry if Iâm being overenthusiastic and creepy, but I like her. (Mon Nov 11, 8 pm, Revolution Hall, $35-40)
Laura Gibson, Chris Pureka
Goners, the fifth album from Portland singer/songwriter Laura Gibson, is both the latest installment of her expertly crafted, eerily spectral folksongs and a vista onto new musical territory, where violins and Wurlitzers provide the backdrop for Gibsonâs haunted, heartfelt lyrics. In other words, Goners is the newest terrific piece of work from one of Portlandâs best. (Sun Oct 27, 9 pm, Mississippi Studios, $20-25)
Jupiter Hotel's Holiday Movie Sleepover
The Jupiter Hotel links up with Movie Madness to bring you a Thanksgiving-sized helping of festive films. Book a room for four to eight people, add the genre of film you prefer (horror, rom/com, traditional, comedy, or action), and Movie Madness will have a selection of movies catered to your taste when you check-in. Feel free to swap whatever you don't like at an on-site library, and be sure to hit up the front desk for tasty concessions and holiday treats. (Thurs Nov 28, 4 pm, Jupiter Hotel, $60-80)
Immortal Technique, Chino XL, Poison Pen
Immortal Technique comes from a long line of hip-hop truthsayers who carry the torch of infinite wisdom that was first lit by KRS-One, further fueled by Chuck D, and then detonated by Ice Cube. Beginning with the incendiary "Dance with the Devil" and then across four successive and critically acclaimed albums, Tech has developed a signature style that skillfully fuses battle rap acidity with intense book knowledge and an acute consciousness for global conspiracies. (Mon Nov 4, 8 pm, Hawthorne Theatre, $25-30, all ages)
We Hate Movies: LIVE!
New York City-based comedians Andrew Jupin, Stephen Sajdak, Eric Szyszka, and Chris Cabin bring their popular bad-movie podcast to the Aladdin Theater stage for an all-ages Portland stop on their latest North American tour. (Thurs Nov 7, 7 pm, Aladdin Theater, $25, all ages)
Lindy West
The Witches Are Coming is the timely new cultural critique from writer, comedian, and activist Lindy West, author of the New York Times bestselling memoir-turned-critically acclaimed Hulu TV series Shrill. (Thurs Nov 21, 7:30 pm, Powell's City of Books, free)
Brother Ali, Evidence
After nearly two decades in the game, Brother Ali is still delivering some of the most insightful, personal, and impressive hiphop out there. And for all his considerable conscience, the man's sets flat-out thump. See him every time he comes through town, Portland. (Fri Nov 15, 8 pm, Hawthorne Theatre, $22-26, all ages)
My Father's Place Thanksgiving
One of Portland's most legendary bars is, once again, open on Thanksgiving and not really putting on any airs about it: If you want a turkey or ham dinner fixed up for you, they can do that. If you'd rather drink your Thanksgiving, they can do that too. (Thurs Nov 28, My Father's Place)
The Holiday Ale Festival
For the 24th straight year, Pioneer Courthouse Square gets tented, heated, and filled with over 50 specialty winter ales from some of the best brewers in the country. Come down spread some holiday cheer while indulging in an array of delicious Belgians, barleywines, stouts, and sours you won't find at the supermarket, and capitalize on the opportunity to talk to the geniuses responsible for making all these delicious suds, too. (Wed Dec 4-Sun Dec 8, Pioneer Courthouse Square, $40-100)
