Our top picks of the week for arts, entertainment and more. For a wider selection, don’t forget to check out our full calendar.
Thursday, March 23
Light Thieves + Jenna Summer-Smith.Bombs Away Café, 2527 NW Monroe Ave., Corvallis. 9:30 p.m. $5.
The Light Thieves return to Bombs for the second time, sporting a unique “post-human psych-prog” that’s a lot more than just a fancy genre-mash. The press release got it completely right: dreamy and earthy. They actually just released a new album, Future Colors. You can check it out (and the others) at https://lightthieves.bandcamp.com/. They’ll be joined by the rather amazing Jenna Summer-Smith, who has one of the most beautiful, classic voices out there. Her work can be found at https://www.facebook.com/Jenna-Summer-Smith-MUSIC-258096987894/. For more information about the show, visit www.bombsawaycafe.com/music-art/.
Friday, March 24
Noah Kite + Rebecca McDade. Cloud and Kelly’s Public House, 126 SW First Ave., Corvallis. 6 p.m. $5. Finishing up a tour, Portland’s Noah Kite will be dropping his unique blend of indie folk on Corvallis listeners (https://kitestringmusik.bandcamp.com/). Joined on stage by the ambient-ish glory of Rebecca McDade (https://soundcloud.com/RebeccaMcDade). For info, visit www.cloudandkellys.com.
Lyrics Born. The Dam Sports Arcade, 349 SW Fourth St., Corvallis. 9 p.m. $12. Must be 21 or older.
Lyrics Born comes from the renown Bay Area Quannum Crew, and will be jamming with his band, supported by Vursatyl The Great and Ugly Tarantino. Brilliant lyricism and a positive feel. This is a MUST-ATTEND event for fans of hiphop. For info, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/141544516367563/.
Grit + Minor Anomaly. Bombs Away Café, 2527 NW Monroe Ave., Corvallis. 9:30 p.m. $5.
What can I say about Grit that you can’t learn from tossing a saddle on a rocket and firing yourself off a cliff? High energy, thrashy, crunchy metal that’s a damn good way to get yourself moving. Take a listen for yourself: https://gritrock.bandcamp.com/releases. They’ll be joined by Minor Anomaly, a newish hard rock act. Though I’ve yet to hear more than one song, that track in particular summons the best sludgy 90s tone I’ve heard in a while. Check it out for yourself at https://soundcloud.com/minoranomaly. For more information, visit www.bombsawaycafe.com/music-art/.
Saturday, March 25
Exhibit: Ahab’s Mother. Optic Gallery, 225 SW Madison Ave. #205, Corvallis. 5 – 8 p.m. Eugene artist Julia Oldham exhibits ink drawings. This body of work “follows a woman through the depths of the ocean as she drifts among schools of sardines and shivers of mermaids and alongside a giant white whale.” Borrowing from Rockwell Kent’s classic Mobody Dick illustrations, Oldham’s take on the topic is dreamy, dark, and mysterious. Also featured will be artwork about sea creatures from Camas Logue, Cynthia Star, Kristan Kennedy, Tara Jane O’Neil. For info, visit https://melodyowen.net/optic/.
DJ Rollipolli + DJ Abadackis + DJ WORK. Cloud and Kelly’s Public House, 126 SW First Ave., Corvallis. 6 p.m. $3.
I think the press release pretty much says it all: “Three of Corvallis’ favorite DJs combining forces for a Spring Break Send-off like none other.” And seriously, after this term, tell me you don’t need a send off, and I’ll call you a liar. For info, visit www.cloudandkellys.com.
Sunday, March 26
Wild Family Walkabouts – Mammal Tracks & Trails. Fitton Green Natural Area Trail, Philomath. Noon – 2 p.m. Suggested donation of $15 per family.
Speaking of needing a great send-off for Spring Break, this event have you joining the Avery House Nature Center for a Wild Walkabout (good news: this happens the last Sunday of every month). This time around they’re offering “Mammal Tracks & Trails.” Fun activities with an educational component, and a hike led by local naturalists. Yes, that does sound good, doesn’t it? For info, visit www.corvallisenvironmentalcenter.org/event/wild-walkabout/.
An Afternoon of Baroque Trio Sonatas. First United Methodist Church, 1165 NW Monroe Ave., Corvallis. 3 p.m. Free; donations appreciated.
Chamber music fans, listen up: First United Methodist Church is hosting an afternoon of just that, featuring Jessica Lambert and Vicki Gunn, violin, Kathryn Brunhaver, cello and Craig Hanson, organ. Part of the ongoing Amore Chamber Music Series.
Monday, March 27
Willamette Writers on the River’s Spring Reading. First Presbyterian Church, 114 SW Eighth St., Corvallis. 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Sign-up starts at 6:15 p.m. Free.
Here’s the deal: You show up, you sign up, and you get seven minutes to read. Or, you show up, don’t sign up, don’t read, but enjoy listening. Either way it sounds like a good way to kick off the new season for those of you with the literature bug. Be warned, though: the number of readers is limited. That means first come, first serve. And yes, that was me practicing redundancy. For info, visit willamettewriters.org/wwotr/.
Tuesday, March 28
GHG Reduction Goals & Climate Action in Corvallis. Corvallis-Benton County Library, 645 NW Monroe Ave., Corvallis. 7 – 8 p.m. Free.
From the press release: “The Oregon Sierra Club and Our Children’s Trust is hosting a talk given by Dr. Cassandra Glaspie, Postdoctoral Scholar, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University. Dr. Galspie will discuss the vital role of binding greenhouse gas reduction goals for the future health of our community empowering our transition to a low-carbon economy.” With our country’s future approach to climate in question, there couldn’t be a better time to get informed!
Wednesday, March 29
Death Café Corvallis. Interzone, 1563 NW Monroe Ave. Noon.Free.
“Got thoughts about mortality? Come talk truth to death. Death Café Corvallis is simply in order to listen and talk about death. Death Café Corvallis is not a support group, therapeutic agenda, debate society, social action group, religion or anti-religion, ideology, cult, or sales pitch.” Death Cafe is a friendly, fantastic support group in the area that almost any one of us could benefit from. Discuss a heavy topic in the best of atmospheres, and enjoy all that Interzone has to offer your taste buds as you do it. For info, visit www.facebook.com/groups/deathcafecorvallisor email [email protected].
Gardening in the PNW Brownbag Series. Albany Public Library, 2450 14th Ave. SE, Albany. Noon – 1 p.m. Free.
Okay, look… I kill plants. The only ones I manage to keep alive for more than a year are the kind that most people try to remove with fire and tractors. Don’t be like me! Join the OSU Master Gardeners as they present their fun, informative spring gardening series. This week’s topic: Treating Storm Water Run-off with Rain Gardens. For further information, visit library.cityofalbany.net/calendar/.
Thursday, March 30
Pollinators in Managed Forest Landscapes. CH2MHill Alumni Center, 725 SW 26th St., Corvallis. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Free.
Organized by faculty in the College of Forestry at Oregon State University, this event include talks on “current pollinator research in managed forests, a break-out session, and a group discussion.” For more info and to register, visit cpe.forestry.oregonstate.edu/PollinatorWorkshop.
Free Range Open Mic. Bombs Away Café, 2527 NW Monroe Ave., Corvallis. 8:30p.m., Free.
Cruising along into its second year, Free Range continues to represent what an open mic should be: a place to get your tunes heard, chat with other local musicians, fire up new collaborations, and generally just have a great time hanging out in the thick of the best Corvallis has to offer. For more information, find yourself browsing http://www.bombsawaycafe.com/.