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IMAGE: Steve Feldman
This weekend, for the first time in years, I'll duck inside a church to pay my respects to the Boss. By which I mean the divinity that created "Atlantic City." I can't say what I think of God, but I believe in Bruce Springsteen.
And this Saturday, March 13, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral is conducting Sky of Mercy: A Bruce Springsteen Eucharist—an evening Lenten communion service beginning with a congregational hymn of "Dancing in the Dark" and ending with a group chorus of "The Rising." "We've been experimenting with traditional liturgies set to nontraditional music," says Trinity's youth leader, Rev. Nathan LeRud (whose favorite Bruce song is "Streets of Philadelphia").
The church has already held a U2charist, but LeRud thinks this is the first Springsteen service ever held at a house of worship. Trinity chose Springsteen's music because of its emphasis on "hunger and feeding," as well as his identification with the poor. (LeRud admits Trinity has a rep as a rich man's church.) An offering will go to the church's food pantry. Then everybody is invited to sing "Thunder Road" together.
It is, in short, the city's largest karaoke night—except with the addition of the body and blood of Christ. Take, eat. I'm just about starvin' tonight.
Headout Picks
THURSDAY MARCH 11
[STAGE]
The third of Imago co-director Jerry Mouawad's series of wordless experiments in movement theater involves confused prisoners in a terrifying typing academy. And it's free.
[MUSIC] MIKE WATT + MISSINGMEN
Punk and DIY icon Mike Watt brings his band for a night of bass-heavy, melodic and inspirational punk rock. Dante's, 1 SW 3rd Ave., 226-6630. 9 pm. $15. 21+.
FRIDAY MARCH 12
[MUSIC/STAGE]
The popular Portland variety show celebrates its sixth anniversary with funky local jazz whiz-kid Ben Darwish. Surprises, we're sure, will abound.
[CLOWNS] CLOWNS WITHOUT BORDERS BENEFIT SHOW
The annual fundraiser for the international charity that spreads laughs around the world (seriously!) features Portland's finest clown-related talents. Da Vinci Arts Middle School, 2508 NE Everett St., clownswithoutborders.org. 7:30 pm. $10-$25, kids $5-$10. Tickets at brownpapertickets.com/event/98168.
[SCREEN] THE ART OF THE STEAL
Don Argott's talking-heads documentary about a multimillion-dollar Philadelphia art collection could rival HBO's The Wire as a tale of municipal greed. Cinema 21, 616 NW 21st Ave., 223-4515. $5-$8. Multiple screenings.
[COMEDY] COMEDY, NOT EARTHQUAKES
A standup showcase to raise funds for efforts to rebuild Haiti, featuring performances by Lonnie Bruhn and Kyle Harbert, among others. The Knife Shop, 426 SW Washington St., 228-3669. 9 pm. $5-$15.
SATURDAY MARCH 13
[DANCE]
NWDP Artistic Director Sarah Slipper continues to gather high-caliber works from crazy-talented international dancemakers.
[MUSIC] ANDRE NICKATINA
The former Mac Dre collaborator and dirty Bay Area MC makes a trip up north just in time to celebrate his birthday. Nickatina's cocaine raps are equally brash and well-plotted: One can hear Bay Area funk in his flow, but it's equally evident that Nickatina does not give a fuck. Roseland Theater, 8 NW 6th Ave., 224-2038. 8 pm. $22-$28. All ages.
WWeek 2015