David Blaine, An Oyster Beer Fest and 12 Other Things to Do and See in Portland May 16-22

Wednesday, May 16

Kat Blaque

Since 2010, Kat Blaque has been using her YouTube channel to advocate for intersectional thought, informed by her experiences as a transgender black woman. Now, she's giving the keynote talk for Portland State's Pride Month. PSU Smith Memorial Student Union, 1825 SW Broadway, pdx.edu/queer. 6:30 pm. Free.

Hot Snakes

Considering it's been 13 years since their last album and the band members are all approaching 50, now might seem a strange time to release another hardcore album. But on Jericho Siren, the band proves they haven't lost an inch of their intensity. Wonder Ballroom, 128 NE Russell St., 503-284-8686, wonderballroom.com. 9 pm. $25 advance, $29 day of show. 21+.

Thursday, May 17

Rain & Roses

Contemporary dance company BodyVox finishes its epic season with a whimsical, weird, partially acrobatic show set to live music and performed in a warehouse. The North Warehouse, 723 N Tillamook St., 503-229-0627, bodyvox.com. 7:30 pm. $30-$64.

OysterBeerOysterFest

Pairing a pint with oysters is hardly uncommon, but integrating the briny bivalve into the beer itself can sound somewhat alarming. Assuage your skepticism by attending Proper Pint's OysterBeerOysterFest, where six oyster beers from six breweries will be available, along with oysters shucked to order. Proper Pint Taproom, 5965 SE 52nd Ave., 971-544-7167, properpinttaproom.com. 6-11 pm.

Friday, May 18

Beth Stelling

Maybe it's because of her prolific output, but LA comedian Beth Stelling never ceases to surprise. Her sets seamlessly devolve from dry, mumbly jokes about the weather to dry, mumbly jokes about watching a dog eat the corpse of her childhood pet. Star Theater, 13 NW 6th Ave., startheater.com. 7 pm. $18-$20. 21+.

Tao Lin

The last man standing of Brooklyn's alt-lit scene returns with Trip, a piece of nonfiction, largely centered on psychedelics and one of their greatest proponents, Terence McKenna. Powell's City of Books, 1005 W Burnside St., 503-228-4651, powells.com. 7:30 pm.

Saturday, May 19

La Luz

On their brand-new album, Floating Figures, La Luz's brand of surf rock is darker and hazier than ever. With an opening set by Sávila, former La Luz touring member Fabi Reyna's trancy cumbia band, it's bound to be a special show. Aladdin Theater, 3017 SE Milwaukie Ave., 503-234-9694, aladdin-theater.com. 8 pm. $15. All ages.

Alela Diane

On her new album, Portland songwriter Alela Diane trades her soft, rootsy-folk sound for a stark, piano-driven album full of delicate melodies and imagery-rich yet deeply personal lyrics. There's never been a better time to get to know her music. The Old Church, 1422 SW 11th Ave., 503-222-2031, theoldchurch.org. 8 pm. $15. All ages. 

Sunday, May 20

The Gospel of Eureka

This year's Queer Documentary Film Festival ends with a movie set in a small town with a queer community and a deeply religious culture. But in this beautifully optimistic film, the cultural divide isn't as rigid as you might expect. Hollywood Theatre, 4122 NE Sandy Blvd., 503-493-1128, qdocfilmfest.org. 7 pm. Festival starts May 17. $10, free for 23 and under. 

Moorea Masa

Portland's Moorea Masa is finally releasing her debut album of spacious, smooth soul. With fellow retro-groove vocalist Raquel Rodriguez opening, Masa's album release show will be back-to-back sets of the sultriest of beats. Doug Fir Lounge, 830 E Burnside St., 503-231-9663, dougfirlounge.com. 8 pm. $10 advance, $12 day of show. 21+.

Monday, May 21

Ruth Joffre

Ruth Joffre's Nightbeast is a collection of 11 dark and surreal tales involving—but not limited to—a woman trying to escape reality after a miscarriage and TV actors mistaking their parts for their lives. Powell's on Hawthorne, 3723 SE Hawthorne Blvd., 503-228-4651, powells.com. 7:30 pm.

David Blaine

Sure, Blaine lives up to every eye-rolling magician stereotype, but maybe he'll bust out one of his classic tricks where he, like, sits in an uncomfortable office chair for an extended period of time. Illusions, Michael! Keller Auditorium, 222 SW Clay St., 503-248-4335, portland5.com/keller-auditorium. 8 pm. $49-$99. All ages.

Tuesday, May 22

The Rider

This engrossing work of creative nonfiction centers on Lakota rodeo cowboy Brady Jandreau and his decision whether to ride broncos again after a grisly head injury. Who needs to build characters when you can film a broken young cowboy training a wild horse? Living Room Theater, 341 SW 10th Ave., 971-222-2010, livingroomtheaters.com. Showtimes vary. $9-$11.

I and You

Lauren Gunderson's play could be dismissed as an archetypal love story about two quirky teenagers if it weren't for the surreal twist at the end. You can catch Artists Rep's production for a $10 preview before its official opening the following weekend. Artists Repertory Theatre, 1515 SW Morrison St., 503-241-1278, artistsrep.org. 7:30 pm. $10.