North (N)

Monday, November 2, 2026 Mississippi Studios Presents SOLD OUT: Big Star Quintet (Night 1) Ages 21 and up

In Smith Claudel's third solo exhibition with Carnation Contemporary, the yard is both a symbol and a physical source material, juxtaposing the enclosure of nature and its display with the control of the body. In this exhibition, temporary sculptures of raw clay, harvested from the artist’s yard, will soon return to the earth. A series of botanical drawings was made with the artist's menstrual blood. And a site-specific installation displays a collection of yard work specimens: a small patch of grass unnaturally maintained, nail enamel coating unfired pinch pots, and plant clippings caught in resin.

Yard Work examines the absurdity and care of maintaining one's landscape, and the tension between being kept and being desired.

Kim Smith Claudel is an artist and visual designer based in Portland, Oregon. Working across painting, sculpture, and installation, Smith Claudel creates work that exists in deliberate flux. Her process-driven approach embraces the ephemeral, the decaying, and the mundane, building visual systems that resist completion. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, including a recent solo exhibition (End Cycle) at The Vestibule in Seattle. Other recent solo exhibitions include The Arts Center (Corvallis, OR), The Painting Center (NYC), Mt. Hood Community College (OR), and KyotoBA (Japan). Recent residencies include Building 5 in Portland and the Boston Center for the Arts. She holds an MFA from the School of Visual Arts. She received an MS in Media Arts and Sciences from the MIT Media Lab, where she was a Learning Innovation Fellow. She is a member of Carnation Contemporary Gallery and the WAVE artist collective.

Opening Saturday, October 03, 5–8 p.m.

A Tuareg singer/songwriter and guitarist who is known for his innovative and intense playing style, Mdou Moctar rose from a small village in Niger to earn viral success among West Africa's cell phone-trading network. An appearance on an American compilation in 2010 led to international recognition and further exploratory releases on the Sahel Sounds label. After starring in a Tuareg-language homage to Purple Rain, Moctar's sound continued to evolve as he pushed his musical boundaries as a multi-instrumentalist on 2017's Sousoume Tamachek. Subsequent albums like Ilana: The Creator (2019) and Afrique Victime (2021) found him infusing his African influences with wild electric psychedelia and full-blast rock and roll to widespread acclaim. 2024's scintillating Funeral for Justice saw Moctar take a stronger political stance on the injustices faced by Niger and the Tuareg people. A reimagined, all-acoustic version of the album was released in early 2025 as Tears of Injustice.

After many years celebrating the music of Big Star via the collective known as Big Star’s Third, Jody Stephens (the last surviving member of the original Big Star lineup) had an idea.

“I truly loved touring the world and performing Big Star’s Third with a core group, a variety of special guests, and a chamber orchestra playing the beautiful orchestrations created by Carl Marsh and Chris Stamey. But when the idea of celebrating the 50th anniversary of #1 Record came up, it was time to pare the production down to a five-piece rock band. So I called a few close and like-spirited musical friends.”

Enter some of the legendary group’s biggest fans, who have long been associated with Big Star and related projects. The band now includes Mike Mills (R.E.M.), Jon Auer (The Posies), Pat Sansone (Wilco), Chris Stamey (The dB's) and Stephens. Dubbing themselves the Big Star Quintet, it’s a lineup that is both personal and close in spirit to #1 Record and Radio City.

Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers bring a dynamic mix of punk rock, Americana, indie pop, and mariachi influences, drawing from their new album, “Hell To Breakfast!”

TICKETS $50 | ALL AGES

Ben Wolfe - bass

Nicole Glover - saxophone

Ron Steen - drums

We are thrilled to welcome home two of Portland's favored jazz musicians; acclaimed bassist, Ben Wolfe and renowned saxophonist, Nicole Glover. The two will be joined by beloved local jazz legend, Ron Steen for a homecoming show you won't want to miss!

Wolfe has performed and recorded with some of the most celebrated names in jazz and popular music, including Harry Connick Jr., Diana Krall, Wynton Marsalis, and many others. A respected player, composer and Julliard educator, Ben is one of today’s most accomplished jazz bassists. Wolfe brings an extraordinary depth of experience, musicianship, and creativity to the stage.

Joining him is Nicole Glover, whose powerful, adventurous saxophone playing has made her one of the most exciting voices in contemporary jazz. Nicole is a saxophonist, bandleader, composer, and educator based in New York City. In 2026, Nicole was awarded “Up and Coming Musician of the Year” by the Jazz Journalists Association and #1 Rising Star Tenor Saxophonist & #1 Rising Star Soprano Saxophonist by Downbeat Magazine. Nicole is also a sought-after collaborator. She is currently touring with groups led by Christian McBride and Renee Rosnes, including the multi-award winning ARTEMIS. She has also toured and recorded with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Additionally, Nicole has worked under the leadership of drummers Al Foster, Billy Hart, Lenny White, Victor Lewis, Kenny Washington, Carl Allen, Gregory Hutchinson, and Joe Farnsworth; Grammy-winning vocalists Dee Dee Bridgewater and Buika; bassists John Patitucci, Reggie Workman, Harish Raghavan, Ben Wolfe, and Or Bareket; vibraphonist Joel Ross; and pianists Bill Charlap, Geoffrey Keezer, Aaron Diehl, Luis Perdomo, Christian Sands, Micah Thomas, and George Colligan, among others.

Alongside these two will be Portland's hometown favorite, Ron Steen, whose decades of contribution to the city’s jazz scene have earned him legendary status. Drummer, bandleader, Ron is known as the Godfather of the Jazz Jam scene in Portland, Oregon. Writes the JJA’s Rick Mitchell: “The jam session is at the heart of the jazz tradition. While high school and college jazz programs have proliferated in recent decades, there is no substitute for the knowledge gained by sharing a bandstand with one’s elders and peers in an exposed and competitive setting." Ron has built and nurtured that philosophy in Portland for decades.

Three exceptional musicians. Two shows. One unforgettable night of jazz. Don’t miss this special 1905 performance!

The annual Portland Holiday Market is the premier venue for holiday cheer! Kickstart your festive decor and gift shopping while enjoying gourmet food and festive family activities. The three-day market brings the community together for a weekend of getting into the spirit before the season begins in earnest.

This year’s market features one-of-a-kind treasures from hundreds of artisan shops and local makers, sensational bites and sips from local vendors, live carolers roaming the aisles, hands-on workshops from DIY holiday decor to cookie decorating, and adoptable pups at Puppermint Lane in partnership with One Tail at a Time. Snap a photo with the 25-foot living blue spruce, take a break with a festive cocktail in the YuleTide Lounge, and bring the little ones by to meet Santa. It’s a one-stop shop to prepare for holiday hosting, gifting, and celebrating before the hustle and bustle begins.

General admission is $13 online and $14 at the door, and tickets are FREE for children ages 12 and under. Bundle two tickets plus parking for $33, and parking is free after 4:00 pm on Friday.

DATES:

Fri 11/6 from 10am-7pm

Sat 11/7 from 10am-7pm

Sun 11/8 from 10am-6pm

Formed in 2018, The Gibbons are an all original, stripped down, blues influenced rock n' roll band. Their music features locked in drum and bass grooves provided by bassist Schuyler Dinsdale and drummer Greg Montplaisir, complimented by the dual Les Paul guitar attack of Peter Boone and Nathan Zito. They released a self titled album available on Spotify, Apple Music, and BandCamp.

Pedro the Lion marks three decades of music shaped by questions of faith, doubt, guilt, and the search for grace. Led by David Bazan, the project has traced personal histories and the places that shape them through albums including Phoenix, Havasu, and Santa Cruz. For this anniversary tour, Bazan performs with longtime collaborator Erik Walters on guitar and backing vocals and drummer Andrew Rudd, revisiting the band’s catalog as an evolving body of work.

Earlimart

Join community artist, teacher, and storyteller Drea Robideau to learn Native Games and explore the healing power of play!

Made possible by The Library Foundation through support from The Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Fund.

IAN SWEET is the musical project of Jilian Medford, whose sound has grown more atmospheric over the past decade. The songs on Shiverstruck, her fifth album as IAN SWEET, emerged amid industry pressures, the end of a relationship, and a return to Los Angeles. The album explores the distance between Medford and her musical persona, embracing surrender, empathy, and a softer approach to emotion. This event is open to all ages.

Luella

The Rivkah Ross QuintetSun, Nov 01TICKETS $25 | ALL AGESRivkah Ross is a Portland-based drummer, composer, and bandleader. Rivkah’s debut album Dare to Hope (PJCE Records) marks the arrival of an inspiring new voice in modern jazz. Moving effortlessly between beautiful melodies and gritty, angular rhythms, her music embodies defiant triumph and hope. A first-generation American raised by a single mother, Rivkah brings a message of hard-won optimism to every note. Taking a page from her hero, Roy Haynes, and paying homage to giants like Coltrane and Shorter, Rivkah is pushing jazz forward with a sound unapologetically all her own. Rivkah is a native Pacific Northwesterner. She has performed her original compositions at the Montavilla Jazz Festival, PDX Jazz Festival, Mount Hood Jazz Festival, and the Vancouver Jazz & Wine Festival. Her other projects include the Stumptown Sirens, Portland’s first all-female big band, which made their debut appearance on the PDX Jazz Festival in 2026 to a sold-out crowd. Rivkah’s drumming hero is Roy Haynes, and in 2026 she put together The Rivkah Ross Sextet, which played two sold-out Roy Haynes tribute sets at The 1905, Portland’s dedicated jazz club. 05:30 PM SHOW 07:30 PM SHOW

Tuesday, November 3, 2026 Mississippi Studios Presents SOLD OUT: Big Star Quintet (Night 2) Ages 21 and up

After years of research, award-winning Seattle author David B. Williams joins Mount St. Helens Institute at a special Portland event for a conversation on his newly published book, In the Range of Fire and Ice: A Human and Natural History of Washington’s Cascades.

Blending human and natural history into a vivid portrait of one of North America’s most dynamic landscapes, In the Range of Fire and Ice is a lively, groundbreaking exploration of Washington’s Cascade Range. Drawing on conversations with anthropologists, park rangers, ecologists, and climate scientists, as well as firsthand experience, Williams brings readers into the mountains to uncover stories etched in the landscape over millennia.

From traditional Indigenous huckleberry harvesting grounds and ancient footpaths to erupting volcanoes, shifting glaciers, and forgotten mining camps, In the Range of Fire and Ice reveals the Cascades as a place of both deep time and constant change. While past logging, mining, and fires left lasting scars, the Cascades also tell powerful stories of recovery and resilience–returning wolverines and wolves, the remarkable rebirth of Mount St. Helens, and growing stewardship in the face of climate change. Through rich storytelling and careful research, Williams invites readers to see the Cascades not only as mountains, but as a living, evolving realm of fire, ice, and hope.

Mantra, music, and storytelling to awaken the heart. Sacred Dharma is a Pacific Northwest kirtan-fusion jam band. At its core, they facilitate the devotional practice of chanting Sanskrit mantra. The music is colored by world influences ranging from Indian classical to jazz and psychedelic rock, enhancing the mood so that each repetition of the Name can awaken the heart.

Led by Sitaram Dass with Jeanette Kangas on tabla, Clark Stacer on bass, Lance Jordan on guitar, and a rotating selection of some of the PNW's finest musicians.

Sitaram Dass (he/him) spent several years serving his beloved teacher Ram Dass on Maui, where he was shown the path of Bhakti, the yoga of service and devotion to God. He is an author, teacher, kirtan singer, and spiritual counselor. As the director of the Sacred Community Project, he works to provide affordable, free, and donation-based offerings as a praxis of Sacred Community.

$25 Advance / $30 Door

(No one turned away for lack of funds)

Dave Tull Sun, Nov 08 $30 TICKETS | ALL AGES

Dave Tull - drums, vocals

Joe Bagg - piano

Bill Athens - bass

Singing from the drums, Dave brings to the stage a rare combination of joyous songwriting, world-class jazz singing and drumming. Think “Frishberg meets Gershwin”. Dave’s songs have been called both “laugh out loud funny” and inspiring of “soul searching and introspection”. Dave Tull’s latest release, “Texting and Driving” was the #2 most requested new album of 2018 on SiriusXM Real Jazz, and was featured by NPR’s Susan Stamberg on Weekend Edition. “Texting and Driving” rose to #5 on the Billboard Jazz Chart, and #3 on the Billboard Comedy Chart in the same week! Dave’s celebrated first CD, “I Just Want To Get Paid”, continues to get regular airplay many years after its release. When not leading his own trio, Dave is one of the busiest drummers on the scene. In 2016 Dave became the drummer for Barbra Streisand and has played five tours with Streisand including Madison Square Garden in July 2019, and on Barbra’s GRAMMY NOMINATED live Netflix concert video, “Barbra – “The Music..The Mem’ries..The Magic!”. Dave toured from 2000-2010 as drummer and lead vocalist for Chuck Mangione. Dave is the drummer on Pixar’s popular series, “Forky Asks A Question” and Disney’s “Monsters At Work”. Dave has led his trio at the Vail Jazz Festival and Winter Concert Series three times, Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood, twice at The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (with a two-hour broadcast on KKJZ), San Diego’s KSDS 88.3 FM “Jazz Live” series (a 90-minute live broadcast and interview), the Newport Beach Jazz Party, The Nash in Phoenix, The Arts Garage in Boca Raton FL, The Miami Jazz Coop in Coral Gables, FL, Jazz Showcase in Chicago, the JazzVox house concert series in Seattle, The Strathallan Hotel in Rochester, NY, the “Jazz at Joe’s” concert series in Bend, OR, The California Jazz Arts Society, and countless times at the iconic Lighthouse Café in Hermosa Beach, CA. In May 2022 The Dave Tull Songbook was released by Sher Music, including 21 of Dave’s original compositions available in print for the first time.

05:30 PM SHOW 07:30 PM SHOW

Ghost Show! is the story of a group of people who have found themselves at the lowest point in their lives — making a low-budget ghost hunting show that’s in last place in the local ratings. But an accidental death (is she dead, though?) leads to a boost in engagement…and a whole new set of problems. Filmed both behind the scenes and as in-universe episodes of the show, Ghost Show! is all about failure, found family, and trying to make meaning out of the ghosts of the past — and future.

Join the Tiny Park Productions team at Twilight Theater for the launch party of the pilot reading of Ghost Show! Not only will you see and hear the first official reading of the pilot script, but you’ll also get to enjoy fun, spooky-season-themed activities and treats — think of it as a theatrical carnival.

There will also be a costume contest with Door Prizes, so Halloween costumes are encouraged.

Tickets include a free raffle ticket. Prizes include real ghost-hunting gear.

With each release, Lime Garden continue to further their reputation as ones to watch — with a host of tips behind them from NME to The Independent, BBC 6music to KEXP, and even Johnny Marr to Hayley Williams. Across Maybe Not Tonight, the exhilarating second album from Lime Garden (released via So Young Records), the intensity of the Brighton four-piece’s writing winds itself into bolts from the blue. The pleasures and perils of partying serve as a thematic through-line, tracking the arc of a night out where unplanned adventures hold sway, fresh impulses are inhabited feverishly, and only the rush matters.

Produced by Charlie Andrew (Wolf Alice, alt-J), with additional production from drummer Annabel Whittle, Maybe Not Tonight reflects the band’s rapid evolution. Glitchy vocal fragments, hypnotic drum lines, garage-rock guitars, detuned synths and even bongos weave together into immersive, richly detailed songs. Many began life as Whittle’s home-produced demos, drawing influence from Bon Iver, A.G. Cook, and Jim-E Stack, while pulling from a wide pool of inspirations including Magdalena Bay, The Breeders, St. Vincent, and New Order.

Join Eco Club and the Moreau Center for Service and Justice to give a little TLC to the local neighborhood after Halloween festivities. After holidays like Halloween, we tend to see a spike in litter on and around campus and we have the opportunity to change that on November 1st from 1 to 3pm! We will walk along Willamette Blvd and around through N Fiske Ave, N Yale St, and N Van Houten Ave. At the start, meet us for check in on the walkway between the Chiles Center and Joe Etzel Baseball Field on N Portsmouth Ave. There, we'll have all supplies provided including gloves, garbage bags, vests, and grabbers. We'll also have snacks and donuts available to kick off the event. This event is open to the UP community as well as other neighborhood locals and anyone who wants to volunteer. We will have restrooms available on campus, and there is plenty of parking available. Please register in advance so we make sure to have enough cleanup supplies. Please bring your own trash grabber if you have one. All ages are welcome. We recommend working in pairs or small groups, dressing for the weather, and bringing a waterbottle. Advanced Registration: Is highly suggested but not required. Please sign up (green button below) ahead of time to guarantee your spot. Meeting Location: Volunteers will be meeting at the concrete walkway between the Chiles Center and Joe Etzel Baseball Field on N Portsmouth Ave. It is next to the small parking lot connected to the Chiles Center. Look for the SOLVE sig

Pedro the Lion marks its 30th anniversary with a live performance centered on the band’s evolving three-decade catalog. Led by David Bazan, the group features longtime collaborator Erik Walters on guitar and backing vocals, with Andrew Rudd on drums. The music explores belief, doubt, guilt, faith, and the search for grace, bringing a sense of warmth and hope to deeply personal songs.

Earlimart

¡Los invitamos a la biblioteca a celebrar con nosotros el Día de Muertos!

Habrá cuentos, manualidades y mucha diversión. Completamente gratis y no es necesario registrarse.

El Día de Muertos es una tradición cultural festiva y colorida celebrada a través de América Latina, México y España para recordar a los seres queridos que han partido al otro mundo.

Este programa será en espanglish.

Dmitri Matheny Group Fri, Nov 06 $30 TICKETS | ALL AGES

Dmitri Matheny - flugelhorn

Adam Harris - saxophones

Joe Bagg - piano

Eric Gruber - bass

Michael Raynor - drums

“Dmitri Matheny is a jazz treasure. The lyrical Matheny has impressive chops, but it’s his warmth and soulfulness that win you over.”—All Music Guide Acclaimed for his warm tone, soaring lyricism and masterful technique, American flugelhornist DMITRI MATHENY has been lauded as “one of the most emotionally expressive improvisers of his generation” (International Review of Music). An honors graduate of the Berklee College of Music, Dmitri Matheny vaulted onto the jazz scene in the 1990s as the protégé of jazz legend Art Farmer. Since then he has garnered critical acclaim and a loyal international following, touring extensively throughout the United States, Europe and Asia, traveling to 19 countries. With over 100 recordings to his credit, Dmitri Matheny has released 12 albums as a leader. The San Francisco Chronicle calls Matheny “one of the jazz world’s most talented horn players.”

06:30 PM SHOW 08:30 PM SHOW

Gather your friends and join Untapped Trivia at Pinky’s every Thursday for free bar trivia. Voted “Best Trivia Night” in PDX.

Pinky’s is a Latina woman-owned whiskey bar in North Portland with damn fine pizza. Featuring over 460 bottles of whiskey, 8 local beer taps, and a brilliant selection of Italian wine bottles, Pinky’s backs up the booze with unique gourmet ingredients. LGBTQ+ safe and full of loads of weird art.

No apps required. Untapped Trivia keeps it old school with pen and paper. Trivia is always free to play, with prizes for the top three teams. Enjoy a mix of general knowledge and rotating topics, along with delicious drinks, beer, tasty food, and more. Follow @untappedtrivia on your favorite social media channels for weekly themes and hints for trivia at Piny’s Pizza and Whiskey Bar.

Untapped Trivia formed as the brainchild of a few close friends with a passion for craft beer, cocktails, great food, and cozy pub interiors. Gathering, commingling, and quizzically entertaining Portlanders and visitors from near and far since 2016. Voted “Best Trivia” in Portland, Oregon, in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and nominated “Best Trivia” in Portland, Oregon, in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 in Willamette Week’s Best of Portland Readers Poll.

Celebrating the release of his debut memoir Showbiz! My Life as a Middle-Aged Man, comedian Murray Hill hits the road with a one-of-a-kind show that is part cabaret, part stand-up, and part behind-the-curtain tell-all. The self-proclaimed “hardest working middle-aged man in show business” brings his signature mix of razor-sharp wit, rampant ad-libbing, and heartfelt storytelling to the stage for a night of big laughs and hard-won wisdom from an outsider who made it his way.

This marks Murray’s first time bringing his own comedy show to Portland, after hosting several shows and tours there over the last 20 years. He can’t wait to bring showbiz to Polaris.

Backed by his swinging live band The Baloney Sandwiches, Murray Hill turns every show into a full-throttle cabaret concert comedy spectacle. With retro flair and a wink of mischief, he works the room seamlessly between storytelling, crowd work, and musical moments. It’s loose, unpredictable, and alive, where anything can happen and usually does.

Thirty-four days before she’s sent to prison, notorious Silicon Valley founder Elizabeth Holmes invites a skeptical film crew to document her every move. What begins as an intimate portrait of an enigmatic felon becomes a mind-bending three-year journey into the abyss. From boundary-pushing directors Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim comes You Can See Everything.

Behind The Scene with The Christopher Brown QuartetSun, Nov 01++ PLEASE NOTE - THIS IS EVENT IS FOCUSED ON EDUCATION - PLEASE READ DESCRIPTION ++In an effort to create meaningful culture building moments within a Jazz context for teenage musicians (as well as band instructors), drummer/bandleader Christopher Brown will host an ongoing series entitled “Behind the Scene” with his quartet. And what will separate this event from any other like it is that it’ll combine the Jam session, concert, and clinic experience into a collection of transformative moments for all involved.On the 1st Sunday of each month Christopher teams up with Montavilla Jazz to provide our city with an invaluable Jazz workshop that’s designed to adequately prepare young musicians for the most competitive musical environments in the world (namely NYC). So for the cost of a trip to Starbucks, this event provides:• 30 min concert by Christopher’s quartet.• One hour Q & A with the quartet.• 30 min food, beverage, and mingling break.• One hour of interactive music mentoring with members of Christopher’s quartet.• Access to the quartet’s extended network.**THERE IS NO FOOD OR DRINK SERVED AT THIS EVENT (outside food and drinks are permitted)** 01:00 PM SHOW

Keeping the timeless sound of the Grateful Dead alive for the next generation, Dead Sometimes brings together the songs you love to sing with the jams that make you dance. This high energy and gritty jam band from Portland, Oregon, consists of Mac Brown (guitar, vocals), C.J. Mead (guitar, vocals), Curtis Waterbury (bass), Ben Skoch (keyboards, vocals), Chris Palmer (drums), and Austin Stewart (drums, vocals).

These guys have been playing together for more than a decade in various iterations, including several members currently performing with Five Fingers of Funk, Steely Dawn, Cow Paddy Stompers, Norwester Sky, Christopher John Mead, and Austin Stewart Quartet. They came together for the love of the music, friendship, and good times.

Hi, I’m Dan. I’m a whiskey & beer drinking, fishing & hunting loving, motorcycle riding, quality food eating, hippie sympathizing, hobby farm running, people loving, husband & father who lives in Minneapolis and shares a life with my amazing wife and two adorable sons named Oak and Alder.

I grew up in the suburbs of Detroit, MI, and moved to Minneapolis when I was 18 to study music, and I stayed because I’m one of those crazy people that enjoys the snow and cold weather.

Songwriting, and performing those songs for people, is both my trade and my passion. When I’m not in my studio writing and cutting records, or on the road playing shows, I’m usually playing in the woods with our boys, tending to our backyard chickens, eating fresh veggies from my wife’s huge garden, making syrup from our maple grove, or doing one of my many outdoor hobbies.

Now here are a few things about my music career that I should probably share in a music bio:

• In September 2014 Budweiser released their "Friends Are Waiting" commercial campaign featuring me singing my song When You Come Home and it premiered during both The World Series & The Super Bowl.

• In February, 2018, I released my album 25 Years and the title track is now inching toward 1 million listens. • In October, 2018, Miller Lite featured my newest single “So Good” in one of their commercials that played for months during NFL games on ESPN & more

• In March, 2019, my song “You Feel Like Home” was featured in Explore Minnesota Tourism’s newest ad campaign.

• In 2022 I released my album Troubadour Family Man. It’s my debut self-produced record and I couldn’t be more proud of it.

• Over the years I’ve had the honor of sharing the stage with some really cool artists & bands including The Civil Wars, Andy Grammer, Eric Hutchinson, Matt Nathanson, NeedtoBreathe, Augustana, Tyrone Wells, O.A.R., Haley Reinhart, Jon McLaughlin, Will Hoge, Drew Holcomb, Sister Hazel, and more.

Wednesday, November 4, 2026 Mississippi Studios Presents Improvement Movement - Your Perfect Real LIVE '26 Adron, Languid Machinations (DJ Set) Ages 21 and up

For thirty years, David Bazan has been writing about what it means to believe in something—and what it means when those beliefs fray. When Pedro the Lion released It's Hard to Find a Friend in 1998, Bazan was already a keen observer of moral and existential conflict, capturing minor human disappointments with devastating attention. By the time Control came out, his writing had sharpened, slicing through suburban politeness and the American dream with pinpoint precision. For over a decade, he built Pedro the Lion into one of indie rock's most quietly radical projects, chronicling doubt, faith, guilt, and the messy pursuit of grace in a way that felt both deeply personal and universally resonant.

Then, in 2006, he retired the Pedro the Lion moniker, as if setting down an old burden. Bazan kept writing, releasing the synth project Headphones and five solo albums that were blunt and revelatory in their own right, but the decision to retire the name felt definitive. Until, suddenly, it wasn't. In 2017, after being dormant for more than a decade, Pedro the Lion was back. The deeply autobiographical albums that followed, Phoenix, Havasu and Santa Cruz, marked a return to the places that shaped him, literally and metaphorically, tracing the lines of the past to understand the shape of the present.

Now, on the occasion of Pedro the Lion's 30th anniversary, Bazan is doing what he does best: stepping onto a stage with long-time musical collaborator, Erik Walters, on guitar and backing vocals, along with recent addition to the band, Andrew Rudd, on drums, and making these songs feel brand new again. The anniversary shows are less about commemoration than they are continuation, a chance to revisit their 30-year catalog in a way that is still active, still evolving.

Bike the Lights is reserved our cyclists! Take a lap or five and see over 250 holiday light displays up close on Sunday, November 29th.

This event has a dedicated following of bike lovers who attend year after year, decking out their rides in holiday lights and rocking their favorite holiday gear — from Santa suits to reindeer onesies.

It’s the only event at Winter Wonderland that happens just once a season, rain or shine, so don’t miss out!

Bike the Lights is a pedal power-only event (speed limit is 10mph!) E-bikes are allowed as long as they have pedals. Safety gear is highly encouraged for all participants, though kids 16 and under must wear a helmet.

DATE: Nov. 29, 2026 from 4:15pm – 9:30pm

PRICE: $16 for adults ($18 at the gate), $5 for kids ($7 at the gate)

POLICY:

Tickets to Bike the Lights are sold individually, not by carload. Free parking is available for attendees at Portland International Raceway. This is a pedal power-only. No cars, motorized vehicles, roller blades, scooters, skateboards, or walking will be allowed on the track. E-bikes are allowed as long as they have pedals. Speed limit is 10 miles per hour. Safety gear is highly encouraged for all participants. Kids 16 and under must wear a helmet.

The Pyxis Quartet’s Portland School III continues an ongoing conversation about what it means to compose from this place. Featuring works by Tomas Svoboda, Charles Rose, Nicole Buetti, and Jennifer Wright, the program also marks the premiere of Habitat, a new short film by animator Zak Margolis and composer Nancy Ives – the first chapter of House of Scordatura’s Animated Oregon anthology. An evening about Portland’s creative inheritance, and where it’s headed.

Wil Blades Wed, Nov 11 $35 TICKETS | ALL AGES

Wil Blades - organ

Andy Coe - guitar

Cory Limuaco - drums

No less a jazz organ authority than the legendary Dr. Lonnie Smith has called Wil Blades “the future,” anointing him the heir apparent to “carry on the legend and the legacy of the organ, of the B-3.” Over the past twenty five years, Blades has grown to be one of the most in-demand Hammond organ players, achieving international recognition. He is known for his innovative approach to the Hammond organ, utilizing effects and modern techniques to expand the instrument's capabilities, while his energetic live performances have earned him a dedicated following. In 2017, he won Downbeat Magazine’s “Rising Star” critic’s poll for organ, after being nominated every year since 2006. Blades has performed and recorded with a who’s who of legendary musicians including John Lee Hooker, John Scofield, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Nicholas Payton, Idris Muhammad, Charlie Hunter, Bernard “Pretty” Purdie, Terrace Martin, Melvin Sparks, Joe Louis Walker, Donald Harrison Jr, Karl Denson, Adam Deitch, Stanton Moore and many more. His solo records ‘Sketchy’ and ‘Field Notes’, as well as his collaborative projects with Billy Martin, Amendola Vs. Blades and Charlie Hunter have all received acclaim from critics and audiences alike.

“Yeah, he does it...he’s on it. He is the future to carry on the legend, the legacy of the organ, [of] the B-3.” -Dr. Lonnie Smith - Legend of the Hammond B-3 Organ

"That boy's cookin'! That boy's cookin’!" -John Lee Hooker - Original Bluesman “Blades' playing style is firmly inside the historic B-3 tradition; he's a deeply melodic improviser, his rhythmic invention and his sonic palette set him apart.” -Thom Jurek - All Music Guide

06:30 PM SHOW 08:30 PM SHOW

Craig Finn is a Minnesota-bred singer/songwriter based in New York City, best known as the singer of The Hold Steady. Finn spent the ’90's leading Minneapolis indie band Lifter Puller, which released 3 albums and an EP. After relocating to New York, he joined with Lifter Puller member Tad Kubler to form The Hold Steady in 2003. The Hold Steady quickly achieved critical acclaim and a worldwide fanbase with their unique pairing of dense lyrical narratives with big rock guitars. The Hold Steady’s ninth album, The Price Of Progress, was released in March 2023, commemorating the band’s 20th Anniversary.

Craig Finn released his 6th solo album Always Been on April 4. Produced by Adam Granduciel (The War On Drugs), the album features musical performances by Granduciel and members of The War on Drugs, Kathleen Edwards, Sam Fender, and more.

Always Been tells the story of a man who becomes a clergyman despite a lack of faith. The songs detail his rise, fall, and eventual redemption, while also shining a light to sharply reveal the other characters that populate the world he moves through. A limited edition, 92-page companion book Lousy With Ghosts accompanies the album and features 11 works of fiction by Craig Finn. These stories take place in the same universe as the record, giving deeper looks at the characters within.

For nearly a decade as a duo, and longer still as solo artists, Armand Hammer have left a palpable mark on modern rap and hip-hop. At turns both sharp-witted and soul-crushing, their lyrics unspool threads of socio-political, historical, and philosophical import with a potent blend of incisive critique, gallows humor, and narrative élan.

Mercy is the first Armand Hammer album since 2023's We Buy Diabetic Test Strips, a project that The Observer (UK) described as "an exceptional record that deserves your time and headphones" and The Line Of Best Fit deemed "their headiest and most impressive work thus far." On 2021's Haram, their first with The Alchemist, the duo "drag postcolonial wounds onto the examination table" (Pitchfork). Beats Per Minute called it "a tremendous success."

$35 TICKETS | ALL AGES

Nicole McCabe - Sax

Logan Kane - Bass

George Colligan - Keys

Ken Mastrogiovanni - Drums

Nicole McCabe is a genre-defying saxophonist and composer bringing the expressive power of modern jazz into dialogue with the sonic worlds of electronic, indie, and experimental music. Through her work as a bandleader, collaborator, and composer, Nicole McCabe continues to expand the possibilities of the saxophone in contemporary music. With a voice that honors tradition while pushing boldly into new sonic territory, she represents a new generation of artists redefining what modern jazz can be. As a performer, McCabe brings a distinctive sound to the alto saxophone—one that draws equally from the lineage of post-bop masters and the forward-looking spirit of today’s creative music scenes. Her playing is marked by clarity, intensity, and emotional depth, capable of moving fluidly from delicate melodic phrasing to fiery, rhythmically charged improvisation. Whether performing in intimate acoustic settings or within electronically enhanced ensembles, McCabe’s presence is both commanding and deeply communicative. McCabe’s collaborative range is unusually broad. Rooted in jazz but unconfined by it, she regularly works across musical worlds—performing with jazz innovators, pop artists, experimental producers, and electronic musicians. On that collaboration list, you’ll find Dee Dee Bridgewater, Jeff Parker, Louis Cole, Terri Lyne Carrington, Lil Bad Snacks and Patrice Rushen. This openness has placed her in projects that span acoustic improvisation, groove-driven jazz, avant-pop, and electronic music, demonstrating a rare versatility that allows her voice to translate across genres without losing its core identity.

**Atlantis Lounge is All Ages until 9:00 PM, at that time any minors will be asked to leave the space. Thanks for your understanding!

C*ntry is a Seattle-based queer pop-rock trio comprised of MJ Jurgensen on lead vocals and guitar, Sophie Pattison on bass, and Katrin Fabian on drums. C*ntry plays a mix of original tunes and covers ranging from Chappell Roan to the Cranberries.

PIZZA OVERTIME hails from Portland, Oregon (hail satan) consisting of 5 gay babies. A sillycore characature of all of your favorite genres. Think: all of your intrusive thoughts said out loud. Think: sitting on the toilet dreaming for the fall of capitalism. Think: crying and eating hotdogs while watching the twilight saga...WITH MY BEST FRIENDS.

BROTHERHUSBANDS was created by three friends who wanted to share their love for each other far and wide. Three friends who found so much joy in music individually, that when they first jammed together, it all fell in place. They're as close as brothers, but only two of them are men. They're as devoted to each other as husbands. They're so underground, their music can't even be streamed. You can only be a fan of BROTHERHUSBANDS if you've seen them live - and we do hope that you will. Playing genreless music that sounds something like Weezer doing a Britney Spears cover, we hope that you find as much joy and silliness in their music as they had creating it.

There was a time when punk rock was dismissed as a fleeting fad, lumped in with disco and TV bands. But acts like The Ramones, The Clash, and later Green Day proved otherwise, cementing punk as a powerful voice of youth. Today, Mercy Music carries that torch. Led by guitarist and vocalist Brendan Scholz, the Las Vegas trio â€" rounded out by bassist Jarred Cooper and drummer Ryan Seaman â€" channels the spirit of punk's early days with raw emotion and finely crafted songs that resonate beyond fast guitars and angst.

For Scholz, punk was never about image - it was survival. He picked up a guitar at nine years old and found an outlet for the intensity of life's highs and lows. Mercy Music's latest album, What You Stand To Lose, produced by Descendents drummer Bill Stevenson, distills Scholz's knack for crafting melodic anthems wrapped in emotional honesty. With Cooper and Seaman's tight musicianship backing him, Scholz creates music that feels urgent and profoundly human, songs that cut through the noise of an increasingly cynical industry.

The heart of Mercy Music lies in the genuine connection they seek with listeners who feel like outsiders. "We've never really fit into one box," Scholz explains. Their music offers a lifeline for anyone needing a reminder that they aren't alone. Whether it's the desperate hope of "Believe In We" or the aching sorrow of "Waiting To Begin," Mercy Music's songs are unflinchingly real â€" never sanitized, always sincere.

Scholz has never let go of the drive to create despite setbacks and personal hardships. His partnership with Cooper, dating back nearly 25 years, anchors the band's foundation. Their friendship - part brotherhood, part marriage - has endured the darkest moments, allowing their music to be built on trust, openness, and resilience. Cooper says, "Brendan goes to dark places, and I'm there to help him find the light."

Mercy Music will spend most of 2024 on the road, delivering cathartic, no-frills rock shows that remind you what punk means: connection, catharsis, and survival through sound. Scholz says it best: "We're not reinventing the wheel. But I don't think a band is doing exactly what we do. And honestly? That's enough for me."

Pretty Deadly is a Dallas, Oregon-based punk rock trio born from what was supposed to be a one-off studio jam-but turned into something too fun to walk away from. Formed in early 2025, the band features Blaine (guitar/vocals), Travis (bass/vocals), and Zach (drums)-three longtime players with deep roots in the Pacific Northwest punk scene. Between them, they've logged time in bands like Drawback, Ninjas with Syringes, The Disliked, Faithless Saints, Burn the Stage, Lost City, and The Civies.

Pretty Deadly isn't here to reinvent the wheel. They're here to keep it loud, fast, and honest. Drawing from the golden age of '90s and early 2000s punk-from SoCal skate punk to the grittier corners of Northwest alt-rock-their sound blends melody and grit, simplicity and sneer. There are no rules, just whatever hits in the moment. Sometimes that means channeling sad or pissed-off lyrics through a pop melody played at breakneck speed. Sometimes it leans darker and heavier. But it always stays true to the core: no stress, no filler, just three friends making noise they love.

Less is more. No bullshit. That's Pretty Deadly.

Rose City melodic punk band Old Cross pulls influences from the late 90's punk and emo scenes and delivers heartfelt anthemic choruses across basement shows, dive bars and national stages alike.
The band released their LP Dead End Lullabies October 2024 and just dropped their new EP Acoustic Volume 1 Friday, January 9th.

Enjoy back-to-back showings of this action-packed silent film that follows a young man’s journey to avenge his father’s death. Performed with live music by VSO-USA musicians.

Program:
Period-authentic live score compiled by pianist and arranger Rodney Sauer.

*Please note that tickets for the Back to the Movies Series are sold through the Kiggins Theatre unless purchased through a subscription.

Thursday, November 19, 2026

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Kiggins Theatre

Friday, November 20, 2026

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Joyce Garver Theater

Wildwood is a handcrafted epic fantasy that transports audiences into a secret, dangerously alive world. A girl’s desperate quest to save her baby brother unfolds into a spectacular, high-stakes adventure through a forbidden forest full of enchanted creatures, endearing allies, and formidable adversaries—where an entire hidden realm hangs in the balance. In an era of automation, LAIKA delivers its most ambitious and globally accessible film yet—a bold fusion of human-crafted artistry and cinematic storytelling from the makers of Coraline.

The Rivkah Ross Quintet Sun, Nov 01 TICKETS $25 | ALL AGES

Rivkah Ross is a Portland-based drummer, composer, and bandleader. Rivkah’s debut album Dare to Hope (PJCE Records) marks the arrival of an inspiring new voice in modern jazz. Moving effortlessly between beautiful melodies and gritty, angular rhythms, her music embodies defiant triumph and hope. A first-generation American raised by a single mother, Rivkah brings a message of hard-won optimism to every note. Taking a page from her hero, Roy Haynes, and paying homage to giants like Coltrane and Shorter, Rivkah is pushing jazz forward with a sound unapologetically all her own. Rivkah is a native Pacific Northwesterner. She has performed her original compositions at the Montavilla Jazz Festival, PDX Jazz Festival, Mount Hood Jazz Festival, and the Vancouver Jazz & Wine Festival. Her other projects include the Stumptown Sirens, Portland’s first all-female big band, which made their debut appearance on the PDX Jazz Festival in 2026 to a sold-out crowd. Rivkah’s drumming hero is Roy Haynes, and in 2026 she put together The Rivkah Ross Sextet, which played two sold-out Roy Haynes tribute sets at The 1905, Portland’s dedicated jazz club.

05:30 PM SHOW 07:30 PM SHOW

Buffalo Jones, Stephen Ashbrook

JT and the Mudbugs are getting together for three Sunday afternoons at Leisure Public House as they prepare to record a new batch of songs later this year. These aren’t quite concerts, and they aren’t quite rehearsals. They’re a chance to hear the band try out new songs, experiment with arrangements of old favorites, and discover which songs have the magic to make the next record.

And the audience gets a say.

Come listen, respond, and help JT and the Mudbugs decide which five or six songs should make the recording.

The core band features JT on guitar and vocals, Frankie Hernandez on drums, Ray Man on bass, and Andy Emmert on fiddle, with a different special guest joining the band each Sunday.

November 8: special guest TBA
November 15: featuring Pacific Northwest mandolin legend Spud Siegel
November 22: special guest TBA

Suggested cover: $10. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. Come be part of the process and help make the record.

Christopher Brown and Friends Featuring Gina Saputo Sat, Nov 14 TICKETS $30 | ALL AGES

Christopher Brown - drums

Gina Saputo - vocals

Randy Porter - piano

Christian Ramirez - bass

Drummer and bandleader Christopher Brown has been both a force and permanent fixture on the Portland Jazz scene ever since his return home in 2012—which was preceded by 13 years in the NYC area, as well as four years in the Marine Corps. And while the formation of his normal quartet has been the primary vehicle that his sound and brand have been built upon since his return, his reputation has also been predicated upon being one of Portland's first-call drummers for both local and national artists when they pass through town. In the case of this performance, it will combine both the power and prestige of the Grammy nominated local pianist Randy Porter with the same power and prestige of Gina Saputo, who's one of the finest Jazz vocalist here in the NW and beyond. And helping to round out the group will be the young bassist Christian Ramirez, whose resume has already gotten off to a very impressive start. So be sure to get your ticket for this special one-time show, as this masterclass of a performance by Gina and company will take you on an emotional roller coaster that you'll never forget!

06:30 PM SHOW 08:30 PM SHOW

Get ready to laugh, get ready to learn, get ready to make some new nerdy friends.

Nerd Nite is a monthly event held in 100+ cities across the globe during which folks give 20-minute fun-yet-informative presentations across all disciplines – while the audience drinks along!

There are often bands, trivia, speed-friending, and other shenanigans as well.

Imagine learning about math feuds, the emu war of Australia, the genealogy of Godzilla, or zombie insects, while having a few drinks.