Willamette Weekend: The Producer Behind Future and Migos, Independent Bookstore Day and 9 Other Things to Do and See in Portland, April 27-29

For fans of Southern rap, there’s no mistaking a Zaytoven beat.

Rejoice: Diaspora Dance Theater

Friday, April 27

Nano Beer Fest
Every year John's Marketplace hosts a fest for the tiniest breweries around. This year's installment features cider, mead and regular ol' beer from the likes of Moonshrimp, Funhouse and Bunsenbrewer. John's Marketplace, 3535 SW Multnomah Blvd., 971-260-6266, nanobeerfest.com. 2 pm. Through April 29. $20. 21+.

Uprise
Rejoice Dance Theater's five works are inspired by the philosophy of Angela Davis and choreography from across the African diaspora. There'll also be live music by Amenta Abioto and art installations by Intisar Abioto and Sharita Towne. Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center, 5340 N Interstate Ave., 971-303-9074, diasporadancetheater.weebly.com. 7 pm. Through April 29. $16 advance, $20 day of show.

Little Wings, Lee Baggett
Kyle Field may be the most popular musician you've never heard of. The Little Wings frontman has played with an impressive list of artists, including M Ward, Rodriguez, Grandaddy and Devendra Banhart. His work as Little Wings, a prolific act with over a dozen records to its name, is stripped down, artsy and brought to life by immensely imaginative lyrics. Northern California's Field hasn't released anything on his own since 2015's delicate and nuanced Explains, meaning the indie-folk journeyman probably has a few new tracks up his sleeve. Bunk Bar, 1028 SE Water Ave., 503-328-2865. 9:30 pm. $12 advance, $14 day of show. 21+.

Saturday, April 28

(Deschutes, Emily Joan Greene)

Independent Bookstore Day
Annie Bloom's celebrates Independent Bookstore Day with a marathon reading featuring 23 authors over the course of five and a half hours. Highlights include Carl Wolfson, Liz Prato and Mo Daviau. Annie Bloom's, 7834 SW Capitol Highway, 503-246-0053, annieblooms.com. 9 am-6 pm. Free.

Wasabi Workshop at One Green World
Most people plunk globs of green horseradish paste in their soy sauce bowls at the local sushi-go-round without realizing they are missing out on the rich, complex heat and flavor of the real wasabi rhizome. Get the lowdown on this versatile yet mysterious plant when Jennifer Bloeser from Oregon Coast Wasabi conducts a workshop on how to grow and use wasabi. The registration fee includes your own wasabi start and an option to buy more starts at a 10 percent discount. One Green World, 6469 SE 134th Ave., 877-353-4028, onegreenworld.com. 1-2:30 pm. $30.

Dessa
Doomtree rapper Dessa's new solo album, Chime, is insightful and addictive, tackling the Me Too movement with layered beats and poetic phrasing. Wonder Ballroom, 128 NE Russell St., 503-284-8686, wonderballroom.com. 9 pm. $15 advance, $19 day of show. All ages.

Deschutes Brewery 10th Anniversary Celebration
This five-day celebration kicks off Saturday as Deschutes marks the 10th anniversary of its Pearl district pub. The birthday party goes on all day and includes complimentary food and beer pairings, as well as a few special offerings added to the menu. The festivities continue through Wednesday with even more beer up for sampling and highlighting collaborations with Moonstruck Chocolate, SP Provisions and others. Deschutes Brewery Portland Public House, 210 NW 11th Ave., 503-296-4906, deschutesbrewery.com. Through May 2.

Khruangbin, The Mattson 2
"Intoxicating" is probably the best descriptor for Houston three-piece Khruangbin. The band's heady amalgamation of American surf-rock and funk, '60s Thai music and various Spanish and Middle Eastern influences has made them into one of today's pre-eminent psych bands. Since dropping their debut, The Universe Smiles Upon You, in 2015, bassist Laura Lee, guitarist Mark Speer and drummer Donald Ray "DJ" Johnson Jr. have been churning out a seemingly endless array of stoned grooves, whose languid pacing, warm tones and delectable licks conjure the feel of floating pleasantly adrift through space on a cloud of weed smoke. The group's just-released Con Todo El Mundo is an addictive collection of vibe-y jams that sees them crystallizing their chilled-out "Thai funk" sound, and the title—"with all the world"—that could serve as the band's mission statement. There is some debate as to what to label Khruangbin's instrumental music, but labels are for squares and A&R reps. Music this original doesn't belong to any one box—like any good trip, it's far more enjoyable to turn off your mind, relax and float up to the stars. Revolution Hall, 1300 SE Stark St., 503-288-3895. 9 pm. Sold out. 21+.

Sunday, April 29

Zaytoven

Wayne Horvitz & Sweeter Than The Day, Blue Cranes
In 1999, Seattle jazz mainstay Wayne Horvitz's band, Zony Mash, went into a phone booth, shed its electric jazz-funk costume, and turned into Sweeter Than the Day. But the unplugged version of Zony turned out to have its own superpowers. It didn't need no stinkin' amplification to make powerful, beautiful music. STTD gave the Zony personnel—pianist  Horvitz, guitarist Timothy Young, bassist Keith Lowe and drummer Eric Eagle—the space to explore subtler, though no less intense, shades of harmony and rhythm. In the decade since the band's last release, Horvitz has gone on to create new contexts, including a chamber-jazz ensemble, art-meets-jazz projects, even recording improvisations in a giant concrete cistern. But when he wants that ideal mix of reflective composition and spontaneity that this stylish quartet affords, Horvitz periodically returns to that old phone booth—and this time out, he's teaming with Portland's own accessible jazz explorers, Blue Cranes.  Jack London Revue, 529 SW 4th Ave., 503-228-7605. 9 pm. $12 advance, $15 day of show. 21+.

Zaytoven
For fans of Southern rap, there's no mistaking a Zaytoven beat. The producer is one of the central architects of trap, and was instrumental in the rise of Gucci Mane, Future and Migos. Now, he's breaking out in his own right, heading out on his first tour in advance of his debut album, Trap Holizay. Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison St., 503-239-7639, holocene.org. 8:30 pm. $15 advance, $18 day of show. 21+. 

Sketch Machine
On the last Sunday of every month, Curious Comedy hosts a night of new sketch comedy. This time, it's directed by Jason Rouse of the smart and bizarre local sketch show Wonderland. Curious Comedy Theater, 5225 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., 503-477-9477, curiouscomedy.org. 8 pm. $5.

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