THURSDAY, OCT. 18
Ozomatli
Even if you don’t like the salsa/reggae/hip-hop/funk of Ozomatli’s records, you can’t help but dig the live show. They begin by marching out through the crowd with samba drums playing traditional Afro-Cuban street jams. Then they get on stage and lay down back-to-back high-energy songs for over an hour. All eight of the multi-instrumentalists are damn good and don’t slack. They sing in Spanish and English and send a message about “fighting the good fight” for social justice and peace. The blend of styles can be difficult to get used to but it’s just an honest representation of the American “melting pot” all blended up into some damn entertaining soup.
Roseland, 503-224-2038
FRIDAY, OCT. 19
Ravi Shankar
An amazing man playing some of the most amazing, unique and heartfelt music in the world (see story).
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall 503-796-9293
Spinning Into Butter
CoHo productions opens their new season in their new space with Rebecca Gilman’s drama “Spinning into Butter.” The preview performance is this Thursday with opening night Friday. In celebration of the new season and space they’re offering a 2-for-1 ticket special all weekend. Performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. The Thursday and Sunday performances will host a “talk-back” after the show. “Spinning into Butter” runs through Nov. 24.
For tickets and information call 503-220-COHO (2646)
Dave Barry
Pulitzer Prize winning humorist Dave Barry will give a reading of his new book, “Dave Barry Hits Below the Beltway.” In this book he gives his take on the political process, including his version of the Constitution. Barry, who has covered several campaigns, is highly entertaining and has even run for president himself.
First Congregational Church, 7:30 p.m.
Blackalicious, Lifesavas, Pale Sole, DJ Wicked
It seems like DJ Wicked opens up for every good hip-hop show in town. This one is no exception. With their last album on the Bay Area’s Quannum records, Blackalicious dropped good rhymes over a surprisingly diverse palette of beats. If they’re anything like their label mates Latyrx (Lyrics Born and Lateef the Truth Speaker) who played Music Fest NW this year, their live show should be high energy (what decent hip-hop show isn’t) and well executed. (Check out 1998’s compilation “Quannum Spectrum” to hear Blackalicious,, Latyrx, production by DJ Shadow and Jurassic 5 representing the Bay underground style.) Lifesavas, perhaps Portland’s best hip-hop group, are finally playing out more often now so this may be a damn fine night to check them out.
Crystal Ballroom, 503-225-5555, ext. 8811
“Koyaaniskatsi”
Your last, and possibly best chance to catch the Philip on Film series. This film is about the earth’s beauty and violence as well as humankind’s destruction of it. It’s sad but true and all the more beautiful with Philip Glass and ensemble creating music for it. Don’t forget to get your student discount if you buy tickets in advance.
Portland Art Museum Ballroom. Info and tickets: 503-242-1419, 503-221-1156
SATURDAY, OCT. 20
Quasi
If you haven’t seen this local dynamic duo before, you might as well see them now. With the release of a new album on Chicago’s Touch and Go label filled with some of their best stuff yet, they seem to be at a high point. As they’re a duo, sometimes the multi-tracked albums sound a little fuller than the live show but that’s not to say it’ll be a disappointment. It may not be the most exciting thing you’ve seen either.
Crystal Ballroom, 503-225-5555, ext. 8811
Wild Style
The legendary hip-hop documentary features rap in the real, 1982 style – that’s right kid, before you were born. Hip-hop might be huge now, but back then it was something like magic: a new, promising mode of expression, artistically and linguistically separate from the mainstream, which co-opted it by the end of he decade. Might leave you wondering “Who Stole the Soul?” $6.
Also Sunday, Clinton Street Theater, 2522 S.E. Clinton, 5 and 9:30 p.m.
SUNDAY, OCT. 21
The Homecoming
Think you’ve got a dysfunctional family? Well, perhaps you should go see the Profile Theatre Project’s production of Harold Pinter’s “The Homecoming” at Theater!Theater! The perplexing story of female allure, power and how men can be subjugated by and to it plays Thursday, Friday and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through Nov. 18.
For tickets and information call 503-242-0080
Stephan Fatsis
Stefan Fatsis, a Wall Street Journal reporter and National Public Radio regular tells the story of his rise through the ranks of competitive Scrabble players. The book, “Word Freak,” shows that scrabble is one of the most popular games in America. Fatsis however, tells of the type of scrabble that is not played by people with an average word knowledge.
Powell’s City of Books, downtown 5 p.m.
MONDAY, OCT. 22
William Hooker & Joe Morris, Jackie-O Motherfucker
Hooker is a hot improv drummer and Morris his guitar-wielding foil. Straight outta the lower East Side, these guys bring the juice. Portland’s Jackie-O Motherfucker’s latest sound collage was released on Thurston Moore’s label. They always pull something new out of the bag, and will take you away if you let them.
Satyricon, 503-243-2380
TUESDAY, OCT. 23
Smog, Neil Michael Hagerty
Hagerty, having given up the blues-rock ghost that Royal Trux had become, has come back strong with a solo recording that brings him back in all his glory. Hagerty’s easy, slithering blues licks are as strong as ever, and he’s added a Casio-type keyboard and cheapo drum machine here and there, resulting in one of the funnest, light hearted rock albums this year. Haggery opens for Bill Callahan’s infamous Smog, whose sound is as gloomy and densely aired as the name implies.
Berbati’s Pan
Femi Kuti
Femi is the son of Fela “King Of Afro-Pop” Kuti, a man who did as much socially and politically for his people as he did to entertain and uplift them. Femi carries on the kinetic afro-beat tradition his father basically invented. He’ll have a full band full of percussion, horns, dancers and the kitchen sink with him and if you are in the audience, it should be impossible not to dance. A little dancing may be what we all need right now.
Aladdin Theater, 503-233-1994
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 24
Stereolab
Now that the buzz has died down a bit, Stereolab seems to be back to what “the groop” does best: making the best electro-jazzy-Euro-pop around. Get your tickets now, last time they played here the cavernous Crystal was packed to the gills with hipsters and ad reps.
Crystal Ballroom, 503-225-5555, ext. 8811