By Clare Shreve and Malori Maloney
If you don't have plans to leave town over fall break, don't fret; there's plenty to do right here in Portland. Continue reading for a ideas ranging from a film festival to Fright Town to an abundance of concerts on the cheap. Whatever your interests, we've got you covered.
Saturday
The Jezebel Spirit, 8 p.m. at the Hawthorne Theatre, $10 in advance, $12 at the door
Start your break off right with some Beaverton-grown instrumental math rock. With layered guitars, sporadic keyboarding, paroxysmal drumming, lots of loops and song titles akin to those of Minus the Bear, these guys do their fans justice every time they play. Plus they brag '07 University of Portland alum Chris Scott.
Sunday
Portland Latin American Film Festival, Oct. 12-23, various locations
Bleak Sunday nights deserve a little spice. From nine Latin American countries come 17 films playing amongst three theatres in Portland. Ranging from Chilean political awareness films to Cuban comedies to a look at Rio de Janeiro in the 1930s, this festival has an array of choices. NW Film Center's Whitsell Auditorium will host opening night, and Regal Broadway Multiplex 4 and Living Room Theaters will carry on with the rest of the screenings. For students with IDs, tickets are $7. To see a list of films, their times, their locations and in some cases a sneak video preview, look on the website http://www.pdxlaff.org/2008-edition.
Fright Town, 7-10 p.m. at the Rose Quarter, $20
This $20 buys a whole city block of horror and tickets are good any night, so if it gets to be too much, you can always man up and come back to the scene another night. It's not just blood and gore here though; there's love at this frightening place as well. Baron Von Goolo's Museum of Horrors will be performing "Wicked Weddings." The Museum, one of three stops at Fright Town, could make this a Fall Break you won't soon forget if it happens to be the day you get hitched by a beast of a priest.
Monday
Portland Spelling Bee, 6:30 p.m. sign up, 7 p.m. Bee at Mississippi Pizza, free
You know the drill: A moderator reads the words and provides definitions; contestants spell 'em out. The C-H-A-M-P-I-O-N lays claim to a t-shirt proclaiming his or her spelling superiority.
Oct. 16
The Shaky Hands, 9 p.m. at the Doug Fir Lounge, $10
If you haven't seen this Portland staple, there isn't a better time or place. Named Willamette Week's Best New Band of 2007, the Shaky Hands provide a jangly, energetic sort of indie rock. The one part cozy two parts swanky Doug Fir is the ideal atmosphere for Shaky Hands novices and devoted fans alike.
Oct. 17
Obama Battleground Booster: The Portland Cello Project, 9 p.m. at the Someday Lounge, $7-$12
Cellos are cool again, thanks to the Portland Cello Project, whose repertoire ranges from classical pieces by Beethoven to pop gems like Britney Spears' "Toxic" (I never thought I could like that song until I heard it performed by eight cellists and a male soloist).
Sam Adams! Sam Adams! Mayor Ex Machina, 9:30 p.m. Fri. and Sat. at Curious Comedy, $10-$12
The doors to this brand new theater have barely opened and its staff has already planned a number of performances, including "Sam Adams! Sam Adams! Mayor Ex Machina," a musical that is completely improvised based on audience suggestion.
Oct. 18
Kimya Dawson, 1 p.m. at the Village Free School, "Something around $15"
Kimya Dawson, formerly of The Moldy Peaches, returns to Portland for a concert benefiting the Village Free School. Even if you don't recognize her name, you'll probably recognize her voice due to her vocal contribution to everyone's favorite pregnant teen movie, "Juno." Dawson's songs featured in Juno include "I Like Giants," "Tire Swing," "Loose Lips" and The Moldy Peaches' "Anyone Else But You."
Portland Fresh Hops Beer Festival, 12 - 9 p.m. at Hopworks Urban Brewery
Located at 2944 SE Powell Blvd, this sustainable brewery is offering up more than 20 different fresh hops beers. Admission is free, but it's $5 for a glass that is required for tasting. Tastes of individual beers are $1 each.
