Notable Moments in Weed History

[November 7th, 2007]

[WEED] TIMELINE
In light of the marijuana-related events taking place this week (see below), WW thought it would take the opportunity to ask an expert in the field, Houston rapper Devin the Dude, to provide commentary on some of the chronic’s big victories and stumbling blocks. While it would be unfair to Devin to call him a “weed rapper”—the hilarious, talented and deep MC/singer tackles relationships, politics and life in general in a style that can only be described as Duderonomy—it certainly comes up now and again. After hitting Portland this Thursday with the Coughee Brothers and Bay Area MC Del tha Funkee Homosapien, the Dude heads to Amsterdam for the 20th annual Cannabis Cup festival at the end of the month.

WEDNESDAY Nov. 7

[MUSIC] JENS LEKMAN
Swedish songwriter Jens Lekman is immediately likable—which is a damn precious thing in today’s oversaturated, MySpace-fueled bandscape. Give his violin- and flute-laden Bacharach-esque pop numbers one spin and you’re sold. Someday Lounge. 9 pm. $12. All ages. See also Music listings on localcut.com.

THURSDAY Nov. 8

[STAGE] AUF WIEDERSEHEN, STORM
Storm fans: This weekend is your last chance to see everyone’s favorite valkyrie strut her stuff at Portland Center Stage’s Kit Kat Klub. You’ve been warned. The Gerding Theater, 128 NW 11th Ave., 445-3700. 7:30 pm. $18.50-$63.50.

FRIDAY Nov. 9

[SCREEN] KING CORN
Two men, an acre of land and many gallons of high-fructose corn syrup anchor the best documentary ever made about American eating habits. Pass the butter! Hollywood Theatre. 7 pm Friday. $6. See Aaron Mesh’s review.

[MUSIC] ZAIREEKA LISTENING PARTY
Surely, plenty of us simultaneously cued up four CD players and rocked the Flaming Lips’ singular, mix-’n’-match sound experiment Zaireeka at some point during our drug-addled 20s, but we probably didn’t do it with 1,000 other folks, tasty microbrews and frontman Wayne Coyne introducing each song (via DVD). Now we can. Crystal Ballroom. 9 pm. Free. 21+.

SATURDAY Nov. 10

[BOOK BASH] WORDSTOCK
There’s a reason why this epic bookworm event’s name sounds a lot like an iconic music fest. With more than 180 authors on the bill, this is one book reading that rocks. Oregon Convention Center.. 9 am-5 pm Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 10-11. $5. Visit wordstockfestival.com for more info. See story.

[MUSIC] MINUS 5
It’s cool enough to see the Minus 5, with ex-Young Fresh Fellows frontman Scott McCaughey and R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck both rocking out harder than dudes half their undisclosed ages. Seeing the M5 on the Towne Lounge stage, though, will be downright rad. Towne Lounge. 9:30 pm. $10. 21+. See also Music listings on localcut.com.

SUNDAY Nov. 11

[SCREEN] HIGH AND OUTSIDE
The NW Film and Video Festival celebrates Boston’s World Series win with a look back at Red Sox pitcher Bill “Spaceman” Lee, who suggested that a little marijuana smoking could improve any curveball. Whitsell Auditorium, 1219 SW Park Ave. 6 pm Sunday. $4-$7.