Pink, the World’s Largest Organic Cannabis Competition and 12 Other Things to Do and See in Portland May 9-15

Where we'll be pre-gaming for Pink's 2019 show by seeing Pink's 2018 show this week.

Wednesday, May 9

Unknown Mortal Orchestra

Via Flickr user Levi Manchak

What started as an anonymous home-recording venture for frontman Ruban Nielson has grown into one of the most consistently thrilling bands around. This year's Sex & Food is another funky gem, with Nielson embracing his status as a psych-soul guitar hero. Roseland Theater, 8 NW 6th Ave., 971-230-0033, roselandpdx.com. 8 pm. $25 advance, $28 day of show. All ages. 

Ezra Furman

Transangelic Exodus, the new album from Ezra Furman, chronicles the unassailability and difficulty of queer life in America via heady, exploratory folk rock. Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi Ave., 503-288-3895, mississippistudios.com. 9 pm. $13 advance, $15 day of show. 21+.

Thursday, May 10

Fences

Now seven plays into August Wilson's 10-play cycle, Portland Playhouse is bringing in director Lou Bellamy, whose Minnesota theater company has produced more Wilson plays than any other in the world. Portland Playhouse, 602 NE Prescott St., 503-488-5822, portlandplayhouse.org. 7:30 pm. Through June 10. $25-$34.

The Cage Fighter

The Cage Fighter follows a Washington MMA fighter who starts training for a match in secret after promising his family he'd quit. After a year on the festival circuit, the Seattle-made documentary is finally getting its Portland premiere. NW Film Center's Whitsell Auditorium, 1219 SW Park Ave., nwfilm.org. 7 pm. $9.

Friday, May 11

Alok Vaid-Menon

Being unapologetically brown, trans and femme is renowned performance artist Alok Vaid-Menon's MO. With this show, Vaid-Menon brings fashion, poetry and comedy to the stage. First Congregational United Church of Christ, 1126 SW Park Ave., 503-228-7219, uccportland.org. 7 pm. $12. All ages.

Compose

PDX Contemporary Ballet's series of new works culminates in a collaboration with NW Piano Trio, whose new piece is a tribute to the mythological warrior goddess Iara. New Expressive Works, 810 SE Belmont St., pdxcb.com. 7:30 pm. $15.

Saturday, May 12

Cultivation Classic

In three years, Cultivation Classic has established itself as the world's largest organic cannabis competition. The feedback from judges is crucial for harnessing the potential of a plant we're just beginning to understand. Revolution Hall, 1300 SE Stark St., 503-288-3895, revolutionhall.com. Noon. $40. 21+.

St. Johns Bizarre

St. Johns Bizarre is indisputably Portland's best street fair, particularly when it comes to music—this year's lineup features synth-pop romantics Wild Ones, stoner groovers BlackWater Holy Light and sultry R&B from Tribe Mars and Fritzwa. St. Johns Plaza at North Lombard Street and Philadelphia Avenue, stjohnsbizarre.com. 10 am. Free. All ages.

Sunday, May 13

Tricky

In 1995, Tricky turned the trip-hop genre on its head with his solo debut, Maxinquaye. The undulating lo-fi grime of 2017's Ununiform finds him flourishing in the same spare and gritty soundscapes. Wonder Ballroom, 128 NE Russell St., 503-284-8686, wonderballroom.com. 8 pm. $30 advance, $35 day of show. 21+.

Welcome to Your Cell

This deeply harrowing exhibit, installed in a room the size of a solitary-confinement cell, includes a video inspired by an activist who spent two years in solitary and a VR simulation by Guardian journalists. Outer Space Gallery, 3726 NE 7th Ave., 503-957-9256, outer-space.us. 1-8 pm. Through May 20. Free.

Monday, May 14

Chuck Klosterman

For almost two decades, Chuck Klosterman has been a singular voice in pop-culture journalism. With Chuck Klosterman X, the titular author takes a victory lap with a collection of previously published essays on topics ranging from Eddie Van Halen to zombies to Tim Tebow. Powell's City of Books, 1005 W Burnside St., 503-228-4651, powells.com. 7:30 pm.

Traeger Method

Along with hosting some of the city's best up and coming comics, Jason Traeger's standup showcase is one of the wackiest in town. This edition will be co-hosted by Milan Patel. Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison St., 503-239-7639, holocene.org. 8 pm. Free. 21+.

Tuesday, May 15

Pink

Via Flickr user Neon Tommy

Somewhat quietly, Pink has emerged as a legacy pop act of surprising durability. All that's left here is crazy-expensive floor seats, but don't worry, she's already booked a return engagement—she'll be back at Moda Center next April. Moda Center, 1 N Center Court St., 503-235-8771, rosequarter.com. 7:30 pm. $504. All ages.

Mount Kimbie

The duo serves up layered, loungy electronic sounds in a chilly package. But last year's Love What Survives is digital music made with such care it comes off feeling analog. Star Theater, 13 NW 6th Ave., 866-777-8932, startheaterportland.com. 9 pm. $17. 21+.

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