seattle
friday 14
Valentine's Day Savage Lovecast Live Taping
Celebrity rags are always trying to christen the latest Hollywood starlet as "America's Sweetheart," when in reality, he's a gay male advice columnist living in Seattle. With aplomb and some biting wit, Dan Savage handles questions concerning all that is fair (and unfair) in love and war in his weekly "Savage Love" column. For Valentine's Day, he hosts a special live taping of his podcast, "The Savage Lovecast," with the morbid-yet-titillating theme of "Sex and Death." Comedian Kristine Levine, "Ask a Mortician" advice columnist Caitlin Doughty, and the angst-ridden jams of the punk band Wet Spots join him. 8 pm. Neptune Theatre. $23.
Wednesday 19
Lawrence Rothman with Mas Ysa and Zoolab
Three musicians provide a study in contrasts. Lawrence Rothman's deep-soul voice is a pleasantly jarring pair to his theatrical R&B music, flavored with a hint of techno beats. Mas Ysa is Thomas Arsenault, a Canadian with a Brazilian upbringing now residing in the States, whose haunting, ghost-like voice mesmerizes audiences with whispered tones. And Zoolab is Terence Ankemy, whose hip-hop style of drums surprisingly balances an electronic undercurrent of a melody. 7 pm. Barboza. $10.
portland
thursday 13
Mortified Live: PDX
Dear Diary, OMG. He's so cute. I can barely concentrate in math class. The way he holds his protractor is just so... dreamy! HOW CAN HE NOT KNOW I EXIST? What better way to honor Saint Valentine than a public reading of old diaries, love letters, and other embarrassing poems and prose from youth? From first crush to first date to first kiss to first time, Mortified Live showcases adults sharing their most hilarious and cringe-worthy childhood artifacts and the stories they reveal. 8 pm. Mission Theater. $13 advance, $16 at door.
friday 14
Presidents of the United States of America: PUSAFEST '14
Fun fact: When Googling "Presidents of the United States of America," the first (nor second) thing to come up are not Washington, Jefferson and Company. Rather, this alternative rock band, born of Seattle's early '90s grunge era, tops the World Wide Web search charts. Glad we've got our priorities straight, 'Merica! This trio, which has launched both hard-strummin' jams as well as introduced the world to the chilled-out lyric, "Going to the country/gonna eat a lot of peaches..." launches its seventh studio album, Kudos to You!, with performances in the Northwest over the oh-so-appropriately timed President's Day Weekend. 7 pm doors/8 pm show. McMenamin's Crystal Ballroom. $22 in advance, $25 at the door.
