seattle
through 23
Seattle International Dance Festival
Kickoff for the seventh annual Seattle International Dance Festival will take place at the South Lake Union with free performances by local and international dancers, including Seattle b-boy collective Massive Monkees—a great descriptor for the dancers' apish, primal street-dance style. In addition to inviting performers from as far away as Israel, Guinea and Ghana, SIDF brings together some of the Northwest's most admired choreographers (Kiyon Gaines, Amy O'Neal and Tere Mathern, to name a few) to curate their favorite classical works and participate in the mysterious Sanity Café, challenging the artists to create original pieces based on audience suggestions in less than seven days. Various locations. $15-50.
saturday 22
Bill Maher
There are three things to avoid talking about while drinking with strangers—religion, sex and politics. Unless you're Bill Maher, in which case that's all you talk about. The host of the 11-seasons-and-running thrashing political commentary "Real Time with Bill Maher," Maher is intellectual force to be reckoned with. Just ask Ann Coulter. From his previous show, "Politically Incorrect," to his documentary Religulous, Maher's pointed comedy aims to entertain and to rattle beliefs. 8 pm. Paramount Theatre. $58-78.
eugene
friday 21-saturday 22
Cascadia Soulstice
A hippy's checklist for the Cascadia Soulstice Fest: hula-hoop, hemp pants, doobies, self-righteous relationship to the earth, and a whole lot of kale. Two nights of gyrating, primal dancing and family-friendly earthcentricity will take place in a celebration of the longest days of the year. Live music from Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley, Stephen Marley, Ghetto Youths Crew, Monophonics, Lilian, Beats Antique, Shpongle, March Fourth Marching Band and Thomas Mapfumo. Cuthbert Amphitheater. 7 pm. $40 per day.
portland
friday 21-saturday 22
Evil Dead, The Musical
Blood, guts, zombies and show tunes! "Evil Dead, The Musical" wraps the camp of B-horror flicks with the musicality of Broadway (which, may we remind you, is never campy, ever). Starting out like all "cabin in the woods" horror films, five college students go to an abandoned and isolated chalet and (surprise!) unleash a whole mess of evil and infectious trouble. The only hope to stop the outbreak of demons is Ash, a convenience store employee with a faithful chain-saw arm and double-barrel Remington shotgun. Bring a poncho—the blood-and-guts "splatter zone" at this show is farther-reaching than the watermelon at a Gallagher performance. No one under 17 admitted without a parent, guardian or overlord. Wonder Ballroom. $19-34.
