Comic books, comics, and comedic punk!WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15
MUSIC—Pianist Robert Glasper never met a genre he couldn't play, which is why his music embraces jazz, soul, hiphop, and much more. His two Black Radio albums are state-of-the-union statements on contemporary American music, and tonight the Robert Glasper Experiment hits the Soul'd Out Music Festival with, no doubt, some special guests appearing as well. NED LANNAMANN
Dante's, 350 W Burnside, 8 pm, $25
COMEDY—Funny people (even when they're not being funny for the Mercury) Alex Falcone and Bri Pruett welcome a stellar lineup of guests for this episode of Late Night Action: There's Project Runway winner and all-around loveable gal Michelle Lesniak, Thorns defender Kat Williamson, hiphop from Vinnie DeWayne, and comedian Curtis Cook! MARJORIE SKINNER
Helium Comedy Club, 1510 SE 9th, 8 pm, $12-20
THURSDAY, APRIL 16
MUSIC—We all owe a debt to Detroit rap legends Slum Village. Not only did the trio help make the Motor City a major center of the underground hiphop golden age that was the early aughts, it attracted and molded some of today's best emcees. Black Milk comes from this tradition. Honor it tonight. DIRK VANDERHART
w/Lyrics Born, Neka & Kahlo, DJ Wicked; Alhambra Theatre, 4811 SE Hawthorne, 9 pm, $17-22
BOOKS—TC Boyle's newest (and 25th!) book The Harder They Come has been described as "eminently readable" and a "powerful, gripping novel" that features a father who kills a would-be mugger with his bare hands and an equally volatile son who prefers guns. Sounds uplifting—good thing Boyle is renowned for being convivial and charming. SHELBY R. KING
Powell's City of Books, 1005 W Burnside, 7:30 pm, FREE
FRIDAY, APRIL 17
FILM—Taking over their massive, four-story-tall screen,
OMSI's Sci-Fi Film Fest features 14 classics over seven days. You can't lose with today's offerings: Things kick off with the hilarious Galaxy Quest, and then Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and the original Planet of the Apes before Terry Gilliam's 12 Monkeys gives you dystopic dreams. Or nightmares? ERIK HENRIKSEN
OMSI's Empirical Theater, 1945 SE Water,Galaxy Questat 4 pm,Star Trek IIat 6 pm,Apesat 8:15 pm,12 Monkeysat 10:30 pm, $7 each ($30 fest pass)
MUSIC—Yasiin Bey (AKA Mos Def) and Bad Brains perform together at the Soul'd Out Music Festival. Bey will do a hiphop set before joining Bad Brains as the hardcore punk band's frontman. Kinda makes me wish Bey hadn't changed his name; they could have called themselves Mos Brains and made it a zombie-themed show. SHELBY R. KING
w/DJ Mafia; Roseland, 8 NW 6th, 9 pm, $32.50-45
SATURDAY, APRIL 18
COMICS FEST—Annual illustration and comics fest Linework NW is bigger and better this year, with a fresh lineup of vendors each day, plus appearances from Daniel Clowes (Ghost World, Eightball), Lisa Hanawalt (BoJack Horseman), Jay Howell (Bob's Burgers), and more. For all of your small-press comics needs—including local faves like Sparkplug and Study Group—get in line! MEGAN BURBANK
Norse Hall, 111 NE 11th, Sat & Sun, noon-8 pm, full lineup at lineworknw.com, FREE, all ages
VINYL—It's the vinyl lover's Christmas: Record Store Day! And while it's a great opportunity to support your local record stores (featuring special-release vinyl from the Decemberists, Blitzen Trapper, Johnny Cash, and more), Music Millennium will also be presenting in-store performances from Dawes and Dead Moon! Such a good day for music! WM. STEVEN HUMPHREY
Music Millennium, 3158 E Burnside, Dawes at 6 pm, Dead Moon at 8 pm, FREE, recordstoreday.com
SUNDAY, APRIL 19
MUSIC—Depending on how you feel about grown-ass adults acting like brats, this Dead Milkmen show might make your inner 12-year-old pogo like a damned fool. Songs like "Punk Rock Girl,""Ringo Buys a Rifle," and "Bitchin' Camaro" are evergreen, so you can relive the punk-rock glee of your youth without rehashing the pimply faced shame. COURTNEY FERGUSON
w/Lié; Wonder Ballroom, 128 NE Russell, 8:30 pm, $20-25 (good luck finding tix!)
MUSIC—You've seen the legendary Alejandro Escovedo in a bar, in a club, and in a theater, but have you ever seen him in a church? Tonight the Texas songwriter teams up with violinist Susan Voelz for a super-intimate show at Portland's most hallowed holy venue. Maybe wear long sleeves, because you'll be goosebumping all night long. NED LANNAMANN
The Old Church, 1422 SW 11th, 8 pm, $22-25, all ages
MONDAY, APRIL 20
POUTINE—Along with pretzel buns and beer cheese, poutine is one of the greatest things. A grease-dripping concoction of fries, cheese curds, and gravy, it is the best food. From today until the 25th, local restaurants are making Poutine for the People. Sample widely, because all proceeds go to
cancer research. MEGAN BURBANK
Check originaldinerant.com/poutine-for-the-people for participating restaurants and more info
MUSIC—If you're into drugs, it's unlikely you need much of an introduction to Acid Mothers Temple. The Japanese psychedelic juggernaut has been blowing tripping minds since the mid-'90s, but even the soberest of church mice can appreciate the permutations of their proggy experiments. Don't be scared! MARJORIE SKINNER
w/ST 37; Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi, 9 pm, $12-14
TUESDAY, APRIL 21
DRUNK SCIENCE—The war against vaccination still rages. But are you armed with the knowledge to put people on the right path? Then grab a beer and listen as doctor Dr. Andrew Sylwester speaks about vaccine history, why vaccines are so right, and why some people think they're so wrong. It's the OMSI Science Pub—giving you a shot of knowledge (while vaccinating you against ignorance). WM. STEVEN HUMPHREY
OMSI's Empirical Theater, 1945 SE Water, 7 pm, $5, all ages
FILM—The eagerly anticipated artificial intelligence drama Ex Machina has a pretty great pedigree: It's written and directed by Alex Garland (28 Days Later, Sunshine, and Dredd), and it stars Oscar Isaac and Domhnall Gleeson. And then there's Alicia Vikander—who, as the robotic Eve, might be more than she appears. ERIK HENRIKSEN
Various Theaters, see portlandmercury.com/movietimes and our review