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SEE: Studio Ghibli Film Festival
Perhaps OMSI’s most anticipated event of the year (cannot 100% guarantee this to be true, but it feels like a fair assessment),the Studio Ghibli Film Festival is back. From now until Feb. 9, OMSI will host daily screenings of 22 different Studio Ghibli classics. We’re talking everything from Spirited Away to Ponyo to Howl’s Moving Castle to Kiki’s Delivery Service to—well, they’ve got pretty much all of ’em. There’s even a “Reel Eats” showing of My Neighbor Totoro (which includes snacks paired to the film) and even introductions at selected screenings by experts on Hayao Miyazaki’s work. Empirical Theater at OMSI, 1945 SE Water Ave., 503-797-4000, omsi.edu. Various times now through Sunday, Feb. 9. $7–$35.
LISTEN: Dark Side: A Piece for Assorted Lunatics
Calling all assorted lunatics…(particularly those who enjoy Pink Floyd): Don’t miss Love Gigantic at the Alberta Rose Theatre this weekend. The Portland all-star rock band will perform the iconic Dark Side of the Moon album live in its entirety—made even cooler with some aerial dance and choreography by B movement, and a dazzling light show. Dark Side: A Piece For Assorted Lunatics features musicians from The Decemberists, Nowhere Band, Eels, Floydian Slips and others. Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 NE Alberta St., 503-719-6055, albertarosetheatre.com. 8 pm Friday–Saturday, Jan. 17–18. $39.50–$55.
WATCH: Hairspray
Good morning, Balti—Portland! This Friday, Hairspray will be twistin’, hikin’ and jerkin’ its way onto the Winningstad Theatre stage. Set in 1962 Baltimore, Hairspray follows the story of a teenager named Tracy Turnblad who dreams of dancing on The Corny Collins Show, encountering issues of prejudice, racial discrimination and segregation along the way. Whether you’ve seen the Tony Award-winning musical performed live, or are solely familiar with the incredible, Zac Efron-stunting, John Travolta-in-full-drag-slaying 2007 film adaptation…“It’s Hairspray!” And it’s amazing. Winningstad Theatre, 1111 SW Broadway, 503-248-4335, portland5.com. 7:30 pm Friday–Saturday and 2 pm Sunday, Jan. 17–Feb. 9. $39.
LISTEN: Portland’s Folk Festival
If A Complete Unknown left you itching to attend a folk festival…now’s your chance. Beginning as a gathering of local Portland musicians celebrating a burgeoning folk scene (i.e., a “12-hour love fest”)—Portland’s Folk Festival will host 35 different artists this year across two stages at the legendary Crystal Ballroom. Who knows, maybe you’ll even discover the next Timothée Chalam—I mean, Bob Dylan. Word on the street is, he could be Brazilian rock troubadours Johnny Franco and His Real Brother Dom. McMenamins Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside St., 503-384-2511, portlandfolkfestival.com. 6 pm Friday, 2 pm Saturday, Jan. 17–18. $56–$89.
DRINK: St. Johns Winter Beer Fest
This weekend, get your beer-lovin’ booties on over to StormBreaker Brewing for the annual St. Johns Winter Beer Fest. This year’s festival—which is split into three different sessions, for some reason—celebrates over 20 local breweries, cideries and cocktail makers. Tickets include a branded festival glass, eight tasting tickets, a StormBreaker sticker, 20% off merch, and a coupon for a future StormBreaker pint. Oh, if you can’t make the St. Johns hoopla, have no fear: There’ll be yet another beer fest next weekend at StormBreaker’s Mississippi location. StormBreaker Brewing, 8409 N Lombard St., 971-255-1481, stormbreakerbrewing.com. 5–8 pm Friday, 1–4 pm and 5–8 pm Saturday, Jan. 17–18. $25.
SIP ’N’ SING: Karaoke Cabaret at Portland Wine Company
Perhaps you’re not a beer girlie. Or maybe you’d rather be nursing a hangover (or doing virtually anything else) than watching the inauguration on Monday. Either way, Karaoke Cabaret at Portland Wine Company is an excellent avenue for evading the Sunday scaries. Held on the third Sunday of every month, Karaoke Cabaret invites guests to “channel your inner Sally Bowles or sit back and sing along to golden age classics” while sipping handcrafted Oregon wines. Hot tip: Sign up in advance to get $2 off your first glass. Portland Wine Company, 3201 SE 50th Ave., 503-320-9956, portlandwinecompany.com. 4–7 pm Sunday, Jan. 19. Free.
GO: Annual Tribute to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
In our book, the single most important historical event worth commemorating this week is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Since 1976, “Keep Alive the Dream”—a tribute to King—has celebrated pioneering activists, community leaders, artists, musicians and youth within Oregon’s Black community. This year’s theme, Beyond Resilience to Empowerment, honors MLK’s legacy, and spurs action to build an empowered future. The tribute will feature inspiring speakers, live performances celebrating the civil rights movement, Lifetime Achievement Awards, and a Victory Village marketplace where you can find vendors, artists and regional agencies. Hyatt Regency Portland at the Oregon Convention Center, 375 NE Holladay St., 971-222-1234, worldartsfoundation.org. 11:30 am–3 pm Monday, Jan. 20. Free–$5.