America is undergoing a manufacturing revival of custom bicycles. A few years ago, the National Handmade Bike Show was here and Show Me Yours was the celebration of local bikemaker participants. The national show is not here this year, but that's no reason not to celebrate local makers who are headed to the show. Makers include: MAP Bicycles, Vendetta Cycles, Ahearne Cycles, Metrofiets, Ti Cycles, Signal Cycles, Ira Ryan Cycles, Pereira Cycles and Cielo. At the Cleaners at the Ace Hotel 1022 SW Stark 6PM-10 $6
Calvin Johnson knew he was in the right place at the right time, Olympia Washington, in the early 1980's. A local u-store allowed bands to rent units as cheap band practice spaces that could be loud. So he started K Records. The K and Olympia gene spread, with a major influence on Seattle, Portland, DIY, lady rock and the world. Johnson continues to play and DJ. He is co-subject of a film, Have You Ever Had a Beard?. The world premiere is tonight. It is based on a conversation between Johnson and a colorful music writer of the same generation, Chris Estey, who shared his own musical influences, intercut with historical footage. Mr K Calvin Johnson will perform and answer questions. At the Hollywood Theater www.hollywoodtheatre.org 4122 NE Sandy Boulevard 7:30PM $10
Free is good. The Art Museum usually charges admission, but not the fourth Friday of the month, 5PM-9, thanks to a business donation to keep the doors open. It's also a rare time in the evening for the Museum to be open. Good opportunity to see the Rothko show. At the Portland Art Museum www.pam.org 1219 SW Park 5PM-9 Free
It's Rothko month in Portland. Mark Rothko is a Portland artist who made a mark in New York. He traveled the 1930's to late '40's through figurative to surealism. His late colorfield minimalism is his best known, including a commission in 1958 to make work for the Four Seasons Lounge in Mies' the Seagram building, famous as an exhibition space for contemporary artwork. In the end, Rothko rejected the commission, on the basis of the space's “pretentious atmosphere”. The paintings survive, and the play, Red at Portland Center Stage explores that period. There is a small collection of his paintings at the Art Museum, and innumerable talks around town. In support of the Red play, the Third Angle plays Morton Feldman’s String Quartet N. 2, a four hour experimental work. The performance is free, though donations are accepted. The audience may come and go as they like. In the Ellyn Bye Studio of Portland Center Stage www.pcs.org 128 NW 11th 2PM-6 Free
The Island President is a documentary about the first democratically elected president of the Indian Ocean archipelago, the Maldives. The president took on the existential issue: as oceans rise, the country, where most people live at less than 6 feet above sea level, will simply disappear. You can watch the trailer here. Unfortunately although the president has reduced luxury spending by the executive office by 40X in one year and proposed opening the presidential island as a park, he was forced from office February 7. Sponsored by Mercy Corps at the Portland International Film Festival. Shows in the PGE World Trade Center Auditorium, 121 SW Salmon, 2nd level. Advanced tickets likely needed. 6:15PM $10
