THURSDAY, MARCH 17

Louder Than Words

[DANCE] Back from its debut at New York's famous Joyce Theater, Northwest Dance Project saved the newest world premiere from resident choreographer Ihsan Rustem for Portland. With a soundtrack recalling Edith Piaf, bright lighting and whimsical colors, it's a brave new style for the bleak European choreographer. Newmark Theatre, 1111 SW Broadway, portland5.com. 7:30 pm. $34-$58.

Young Fathers

[TWILIGHT POP] In Young Fathers, one hears everything from TV on the Radio, R&B and hip-hop, grime and bebop, ragga and drum-and-bass, all simmering through the sound of expensive but slightly staticky speakers. Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison St., 239-7639. $13 advance, $15 day of show. 8:30 pm. 21+.

SATURDAY, MARCH 19

The Body

[HEAVY BUMMER] With No One Deserves Happiness, Portland's most enigmatic band of nihilists sets out to make "the grossest pop album of all time," creating a murky deluge of 808s, blasting guitar, whining electronics and howling vocals. Tonight is the release party, but one imagines it won't exactly be a "celebration." High Water Mark, 6800 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., 286-6513. 9 pm. $8 advance, $10 day of show. 21+.

Cider Rite of Spring

[CIDER] On the heels of Portland CiderCon comes a springtime regional cider tasting with at least 27 cideries pouring their wares at the Tiffany Center, from Portland cideries to Apple Outlaw, Hedgerow and Wandering Aengus. Tiffany Center, 1410 SW Morrison St., nwcider.com. Noon-5 pm. $25-$30 buys an event glass and eight tasters. 21+.

SUNDAY, MARCH 20

Rock 'n' Roll Flea Market

[DIGS AND DISCS] The log-cabin basement of Doug Fir, usually one of Portland's best-sounding concert venues, gets hung with vintage concert tees and leather jackets, and stacked with 8-tracks and vintage vinyl. The bar is open and the stereo's on, too. Doug Fir Lounge, 830 E Burnside St., dougfirlounge.com. 5 pm. Free entry. 21+.

MONDAY, MARCH 21

Ursula K. Le Guin Poetry Group

[BOOKS] Even the most celebrated artists have buddies to bounce stuff off of. That includes our state's most celebrated artist, writer-poet Ursula K. Le Guin, who released a collection of poetry last year called Late in the Day. She and her poetry group will take turns reading their work. Annie Bloom's Books, 7834 SW Capitol Highway, 246-0053. 7 pm. Free.