[October 8th, 2008] Manzanita author/composer Philip Pelletier’s new children’s book, One Night In Frogtown, is a lesson wrapped in sweet cartoon clothing. The book—and accompanying CD, which features narration of the text by Oregon bluesman Curtis Salgado and musical contributions from Portland heavyweights like Linda Hornbuckle, Devin Phillips, Thara Memory and Fogatron—follows a saxophone-playing young frog named Tad to tell a parable about open-mindedness and multiculturalism from a frog’s-eye view. The music is both fun and mildly educational, so we’ve put it right up there with a few of our other favorite music-for-kids moments, many of which—through the glory of the Internet—are now right at our fingertips for instant consumption.

^Headout Picks

Wednesday Oct. 8

In honor of the sixth anniversary of the passage of the cultural tax credit (who knew?), the Oregon Cultural Trust, in conjunction with National Arts and Humanities Month, presents the first statewide “Day of Culture.” While it doesn’t involve dairy products, it’ll include events in eight cities across Oregon, including PDX. PCPA Rotunda, 1111 SW Broadway, noon-1 pm. Free.

Thursday Oct. 9

Part of “Sinatra Fest,” Tony Starlight’s Supper Club and Lounge gives you the chance to sing with a “real live big band.” Vie for your spot at singforyoursupperclub.net. Not only will you find a list of songs, but also the key in which they are performed. 3728 NE Sandy Blvd., 517-8584. 8 pm. $8.

Friday Oct. 10

Cyclo-hotties like to show off their custom-built rides. Or, as the event’s press says,“This is not your average pipe-and-drape experience; this is a rare opportunity to experience builders and their bikes, up close, raw, personal and powerful.” Leftbank Greenroom, 1618 N Vancouver Ave., 10 am- 7 pm Friday, 10 am- 6 pm Saturday, Oct. 10-11. $10 for one day. $15 for both.

Saturday Oct. 11

Songbird Storm Large and radio hotties Daria O’Neill and Mitch Elliott host Basic Rights Oregon’s 26th annual Dinner & Auction. The theme of this year’s event is “Metamorphosis,” which means Daria and Storm might change outfits. Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., 222-6151. 5:30 pm. $150.

SUNDAY Oct. 12

More than 10,000 folks come together in Pioneer Courthouse Square with the goal of raising $350,000 for Cascade AIDS Project. Pioneer Courthouse Square, Southwest 6th Avenue and Morrison Street. 223-9255, aidswalkportland.org. 8:30 am. Free, donations encouraged (including a can of food for Esther’s Pantry food program).

[MUSIC] Fall Into Darkness

Though it’s bound to destroy your hearing all weekend, we are especially stoked for the last night of the doom-metal centric “Fall Into Darkness” fest—featuring performances from ambient drone-death duo Sun O))) and a rare local appearance from mostly instrumental rockers Grails. Berbati’s Pan, 231 SW Ankeny St., 248-4579. 7:30 pm. $16. All-ages.