BOOKS—Contemporary science-fiction authors don't get much bigger than John Scalzi, and for good reason: His books are exciting, clever, and speed by in a blur of emotion and laser blasts. Tonight he's in town to talk about his latest, The Human Division—and if past readings are any indication, Scalzi will be as engaging and charming as ever. EH
Powell's Books at Cedar Hills Crossing, 3415 SW Cedar Hills, Beaverton, 7 pm, FREE

ONE-MAN SHOW—Ever since Mike Daisey's whole "lying to everyone" scandal regarding his research of Apple product factories in China, his standing with former devotees has been shaky, and we've heard him speak of little other than justifying himself since, which his new show Journalism does formally. Could he win us back? We're not certain, but we're curious. MS
Tiffany Center, 1410 SW Morrison, 7 pm, $20-45

MUSIC—Enigmatic Pittsburgh oddballs Black Moth Super Rainbow's hushed, synth-led experiments with psychedelic electro-pop are engrossing, sinister, and strangely accessible on their most recent effort Cobra Juicy. If you can fight your way through their die-hard fans to see them at the Hawthorne, there's every chance you'll get an unsettling yet blissful contact high. AR
w/the Hood Internet, Oscillator Bug; Hawthorne Theatre, 1507 SE César E. Chávez, 8 pm, $15-18, all ages

FILM—Cinema 21's excellent noir series Return to Noir Ville is back for another year, and today's films are some great ones: the Coen brothers' Texas noir Blood Simple, 1944's Gene Tierney and Dana Andrews flick Laura, and Fritz Lang's 1953 classic The Big Heat. EH
Cinema 21, 616 NW 21st, see cinema21.com for showtimes, $6 ($40 for 13-day pass)

THE "HIPHOP"—Two nice men named "Fabulous" and "Pusher Tee" [He means Fabolous and Pusha T. Sigh.—Eds.] will perform an uplifting array of danceable tunes. They also are good at wordplay. AKA "rap," like what you do when you go to your friend's apartment and the door is locked and you hope they didn't fall in the bathtub and die. I'm old! DCT
w/Portland Express, Supanova, & more; Roseland, 8 NW 6th, 8 pm, $27, all ages

COMEDY—While he's a Tony-nominated actor (most recently for his role on Broadway in Porgy and Bess), author, and comedian, David Alan Grier will always be beloved for his multifaceted characters in the groundbreaking TV show In Living Color—and yes, he's still hilarious. Check out his high-energy, infectious stand-up tonight at the Bagdad. WSH
w/Tristian Spillman; Bagdad Theater, 3702 SE Hawthorne, 9 pm, $25

BIKING!—If you don't already bike to work, you've got your reasons. Put them all aside for Bike to Work Day, the one arbitrary day out of the year when you're REALLY encouraged to give bike commuting a go. Feeling adventurous? Ride to work all week! Like how that feels? Cast off your vehicular chains for good! DVH
Your home to your workplace, whenever you work, FREE

SPACEY SURF MUSIC—One of the most prolific bands of the '90s, Man or Astro-man? is still successfully blurring surf punk with spacey synth to produce an entirely original sound. Their latest release is called Defcon 5... 4... 3... 2... 1, and while still sporting their trademark space surf vibe, they seem to be heavier and goofier (in a good way) than ever. WSH
w/Audacity; Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside, 9 pm, $16-17

DREAMY MUSIC—Oh happy day! Yo La Tengo want to spend the evening with you. The dreamily venerable trio has gotten you through all sorts of peaks and valleys in their lustrous career—so bring 'em some flowers for all the kick-ass covers they've bestowed upon you, and how about some enthusiastic dancing for all the originals they've written for your ears? CF
Wonder Ballroom, 128 NE Russell, 8:30 pm, $18.50-20, all ages

PODCAST COMEDY—Ever since Tig Notaro's breakout stand-up set last summer, where she worked through her fresh emotions about being diagnosed with cancer, it's become difficult to get a ticket to one of her shows. Tonight's no exception. She's joined by her fellow Professor Blastoff podcasters, the very funny David Huntsberger and Kyle Dunnigan, for a live version of the popular show. CF
Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi, 9 pm, $17.50-20 (beg, borrow, etc., to get those tix!)

MUSIC—Shooting pleasure levels rocket-high, Colleen Green's new album Sock It to Me dips sparkly mall pop in thick layers of guitar crunch, resulting in something like deep-fried ice cream—crispy, sweet, messy, and both hot and totally cool. Green shares the bill with heart-warmingly degenerate rockers White Fang, who really, really want to party with you. NL
w/Heavy Hawaii, Coma Serfs; Star Theater, 13 NW 6th, 9 pm, $8

LECTURE—Washington, DC, is once again trying to take up immigration reform, a feat akin to catching sand through your fingers, made even more difficult in a time of toxically partisan gridlock. Let's have a more productive conversation here. Oregon Humanities' regular Think & Drink happy hour lecture takes up the tangle of changes and what it means to be an American. DCT
Mission Theater, 1624 NW Glisan, 6:30 pm, FREE, all ages

THAT VOICE—You know him as the singer of My Morning Jacket, or as one of the Monsters of Folk, or as Yim Yames... get to know the man behind that high lonesome voice, as Jim James hits the Crystal Ballroom in support of his first solo album, the majestic sounding and extravagantly titled Regions of Light and Sound of God. NL
w/Cold Specks; Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside, 8 pm, $25-29, all ages

FILM—There are some movies that need to be seen on the big screen. Aliens is one of them. James Cameron's sci-fi action classic is still as exhilarating, creepy, and cool as it was in 1986. Behold it all—from Sigourney Weaver's Oscar-nominated performance, to Newt's whiny whining, to Alien Queen's oozing egg sac—in 35mm! EH
Hollywood Theatre, 4122 NE Sandy, see Film Times, $7

I'm writing this from the near past, when the sun is beating its wizard rays down on many a pasty Portlander. I'm sitting here wishing Hale Pele's Polynesian Plaza event was happening this weekend, but hopefully Ol' Sunny is still making with the freak freak for this event. The gathering sounds like a tiki-filled good time, with music by DJ Drew Groove and the Men from S.U.R.F., a pig roast and coconut chopping, and a marketplace filled with tropical goodies. AND COCKTAILS ON A ROOFTOP! I'll turn the reins over to tiki-bar Hale Pele for the press release details:

Hale Pele will be expanding into the upstairs parking lot for our first POLYNESIAN PLAZA! Join us for a cavalcade of vendors of tropical wares! For the big time collectors out there, we'll even have some of the decor from the former Thatch Tiki Bar available for sale! Come get your own piece of Portland's tiki bar history!
Vendors:
- B.G.Reynolds' hand-crafted Syrups
- Former Thatch decor and tikis
- The Spliced Mainbrace nautical bar decor
- Sputnik Housewares
- Sandy Bottom
- Jane 'Maluhia' Shaw photography
- Frog Island Tikis

Polynesian Plaza, the parking lot up the ramp behind 2717 NE Broadway
Sat, May 11, 2-9 pm, free, all ages

POP OFF—PDX Pop Now!'s annual fundraiser, Make It Pop!, is a great way to support local all-ages music, and it's a terrific concert, this year with Kelli Schaefer, Monarques, Grandparents, Ezza Rose, and DJ Jeremy Petersen. Throw in a raffle, free hors d'oeuvres and desserts, and the announcement of this year's PDX Pop Now! compilation tracklist, this is the feel-good party of the season. NL
The Cleaners at the Ace Hotel, 403 SW 10th, 7 pm, $20, all ages

COMEDY—Remember back in the '90s, when MTV had a dating show? This one guy, Chris Hardwick, made fun of all the meathead contestants, like, all the time. I don't know where he's been for the past 20 years, but I guess he does stand-up now! I bet it's pretty good. BR
Helium Comedy Club, 1510 SE 9th, Thurs 8 pm, Fri-Sat 7:30 & 10 pm, $20-30