Thursday, April 6

Reading and Book Signing by Poets Gary Lark and Stacie Smith. Grass Roots Books & Music, 227 SW Second St., Corvallis. 7 p.m. Gary Lark reads from River of Solace, a series of poems he wrote about “a place and people very much like Coos County, OR.” He’ll also be reading selections from In the House of Memory: Voices from Valley View Manor, a glimpse into the lives of the people living in an assisted living facility. Stacie Smith is on hand as well, reading from her book of poetry, Open Burning. For more information, visit grassrootsbookstore.com.

Rusty Hinges. Calapooia Brewing Company, 140 Hill St. NE, Albany. 7:30 p.m. Free.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: if you like bluegrass, you like Rusty Hinges. Never heard of them? Doesn’t matter, you like them. Don’t fight me on this, just treat yourself. For more banjo-packed info, visit calapooiabrewing.com/blog/live-music-and-events/.

 

Friday, April 7

Poet and nonfiction author Ellen Bass to read at OSU. Valley Library Rotunda, 201 S.W. Waldo Pl., Corvallis. 7:30 p.m. Free.

Part of the 2016-17 Creative Writing Program’s Visiting Writers Series, award-winning poet Ellen Bass is here to read from her 2014 collection “Like a Beggar. This ongoing series brings nationally acclaimed writers to OSU. For more information, visit oregonstate.edu/ua/ncs/archives/2017/mar/poet-and-nonfiction-author-ellen-bass-read-osu.

The Svens. Bombs Away Café, 2527 NW Monroe Ave., Corvallis. 9:30 p.m. $5.

Do you like to chill and soak up the tunes? Do you like your rock surfy and poetic? Then you either know of The Svens, or need to know. Excellent surf act with a soul on everyone’s favorite stage. A real no brainer, as they say. Though I’m not exactly sure if they still say that. info, visit bombsawaycafe.com/music-art/.

Rainbow in the Clouds. Cloud & Kelly’s Public House 126 SW First St., Corvallis. 10 p.m. $5. Corvallis’ premiere LGBT dance party. Always a blast, and everyone is invited! For info, visit cloudandkellys.com/music_and_nightlife/ or facebook.com/CloudAndKellys/.

 

Saturday, April 8

Mosley Wotta + Redwood Son. Cloud & Kelly’s Public House 126 SW First St., Corvallis. 9:30 p.m. $5.

I’m always happy to be able to let people know about a MOsley WOtta show because its just that damn good. WOtta’s unique style of independent hip hop comes together with Redwood Son’s robust country sounds to create that is bound to be a must-be-there event. For a taste check out https://www.reverbnation.com/redwoodson and http://mosleywotta.com. For more info about the show, visit cloudandkellys.com/music_and_nightlife/ or facebook.com/CloudAndKellys/.

Dingo Factory. Bombs Away Café, 2527 NW Monroe Ave., Corvallis. 9:30 p.m. $5.

Normally I’d have questioned why anyone would build a factory to create Dingoes, but it only took one listen to shut me up (and as you may know by now, that’s not an easy thing to do). What are they like? They’re like this: http://www.dingofactory.com/audio/. And this is great. Big vibes.Take a load off and check out the whole playlist. For info, visit bombsawaycafe.com/music-art/. But you don’t need no Internet, just go.

 

Sunday, April 9

Oregon Zoo- Mushroom Discovery Hike at Smith & Bybee Wetlands. Smith & Bybee Wetlands Natural Area, 4001 Southwest Canyon Rd., Portland. 9:30-11:30 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. Cost: $6 per person, $11 per family.

Are you fascinated by the weirdly mushrooms that grow all over our fine planet? I thought so. This event helps you discover all that glorious weirdliness with help from ’shroom enthusiast Leah Bendlin. Slap on some hiking shoes and take off into the forest for an education on”the ecological roles of fungi and how they eat and reproduce.” Field guides will be on hand (or rather, in your hands). With the weather “improving” (depending on who you ask…), what could be better for your Sunday? And don’t say editing, because I’ll know that’s a lie. For info, visit oregonzoo.org/events/mushroom-discovery-hike-smith-bybee-wetlands.

HOUR Exchange’s 15th Annual Spring Gathering. Old World Deli, 341 SW Second St., Corvallis. 12-4 p.m. Free.

If you’re not familiar with HOUR Exchange’s event, it is essentially a celebration of all things local, be they musical, vendor-y, you name it. The event comes packed with a plan and seed swap, “where gardeners and plant lovers are encouraged to bring seeds, starts, bulbs, plants, and other items for exchange or to give away.” For more info, visit hourexchange.org/.

Monday, April 10

Corvallis Science Pub. Old World Deli. 341 SW Second St., Corvallis. 6–8 pm. Free.

Ah, Science Pub. You may know it by its other name: “possibly the best recurring event in Corvallis.” This time around they’ll be offering the “Science of Baking – Lift: The Science and Surprising History of Leavening Agents” The speaker will be the Project Manager for the Center for Sensory & Consumer Behavior Research at Oregon State University, Sue Queisser. Science Pub Corvallis consistently offers thought-provoking presentations in a chill environment, complete with intimate interaction with expert. And as they say, there are no silly questions! No really, I’ve tried. Zero scientific background is required/ All you need to do bring your brain (and body, since that’s where it is stored), a thirst for knowledge, and… also a thirst for some beer, maybe. Not required, but I’ve heard its delightful. For info, visit terra.oregonstate.edu/science-pub-corvallis.

Tuesday, April 11

The Neighborhood Puzzle – League of Women Voters of Corvallis. Corvallis-Benton County Public Library, 645 NW Monroe Ave., Corvallis. 7 p.m. Free.

If you want to get involved, there’s no better place to start that the League of Women Voters of Corvallis. This time around small groups will be discussing “How can we add needed housing and maintain neighborhood livability? What changes may be needed in the City’s building requirements?” No exaggeration, this is the place to be for local politics and action. For info, visit lwv.corvallis.or.us.

Poetry Reading with the Poetic License Poetry Group. Grass Roots Books & Music, 227 SW Second St., Corvallis. 7-8:30 p.m.

Did you know that April is National Poetry month? I didn’t, but thankfully other people were on point. In celebration, Grass Roots is hosting a reading by folks from the Poetic License poetry group. All members on hand will share two or three of their poems. Readers include Jesse Ford, Linda Gelbrich, Brigitte Goetze, Catherine McGuire, Wyn Schoch, Susan Shumway, Linda Varsell Smith, and Pam Wilson. For more info, visit grassrootsbookstore.com/.

 

Wednesday, April 12

Starker Lecture Series: Is National Monument Designation an Economic Blessing or an Economic Curse? Construction & Engineering Hall, LaSells Stewart Center, 875 SW 26th St., Corvallis. 3:30-5 p.m. Free.

It’s Wednesday, you’re not me, so you’re sitting around enjoying yourself and not updating the Advocate website. You’re messing around on Google, find your way onto Wikipedia and BLAMMO – its 10 hours later, you’re strung out, but you know far more about pufferfish, medical grade plastic, and radiators than ever before. Well, howabout take this practice away from the desk and attend an incredibly interesting lecture on a topic you may not normally find yourself questioning? As they wrote in their press release, “Some argue that National Monument status imposes land use restrictions that stifle economic growth and cause social disruption, especially restrictions on in situ industries such as ranching, forestry, and mining. Others contend that any losses in these industries are more than made up by growth…” Don’t Google, Lectur-oogle. And pretend I didn’t just say that. For info, visit starkerlectures.forestry.oregonstate.edu/.

Thursday, April 13

Wild Hog in The Woods. Calapooia Brewing Company, 140 Hill St. NE, Albany. 8 p.m. Free.

A staple of the Linn / Benton music scene Wild Hog in the Woods is a real treat, especially at their venue of choice, Calapooia Brewing. If you love beer and authentic bluegrass (no hipsters with twisty-moustaches here), you’ll find your way to this event. I actually find myself unable to overstate what a great band this is. Here they are rocking out on KBVR last year: https://youtu.be/ssgaWqaVGnQ. Impossible to have a bad unless you trip on the sidewalk and biff it. Do people say say “biff it?” Probably not. For info, visit calapooiabrewing.com/blog/live-music-and-events/.