By Daniel Borgen, PQ Monthly
I am not going to lie, folks. Your fearless editor is suffering from some serious Hawaiian-time-brain. A week on a tropical island--and the torrid love affairs that come with it--does more than soothe your soul. But I'm not hear to brag--I'm merely explaining why this weekend forecast is abbreviated. Mama's got an email inbox to wade through--and I have to work a nap in there sometime as well. Let's get down to business, shall we? Thursday Leather Thursdays at Hawks PDX:Â Get your Gear On--every Thursday night is now leather night! Wear your leather, uniforms, rubber, or gear in for a spanking good time. Plus, $7 Lockers All Day & Night AND 10% off ALL Toys & Gear.
Laid Out celebrates Spring Break! And welcomes Mr. Charming to the decks. We sprung forward & if that's not a reason to party, really not sure what is. We are pretty fucking ready to celebrate the return of spring. So, get shirtless about it! 9pm, Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison. $5. Justin Buckles and Angel Hanson present: Portland Idol! This week's theme is "movie madness"--the contestants will be singing songs from the silver screen as well as another song of their choosing. Josh Hernandez and Noah Scott hope you will come dressed in your pajamas...they will be joined by their guest judge Honey Bea Hart and a special in-house challenge judge--just who remains a mystery. 9pm, Funhouse Lounge, 2432 SE 11th. Friday Wine, Words, and Song! A Zine Symposium fundraiser. The Portland Zine Symposium is one of the coolest things that happens in the city all year, and small-press folks from all over look forward to this year’s installment with baited breath. Help make sure it occurs—and enjoy some unique musical and vinous offerings—by attending this! The Independent Publishing Resource Center, 1001 SE Division Street, Portland. 7 PM, donation. (See Arts Briefs for more.) The Cockpit: Your landing party. Monika MHz, Dan Craig, Derek Pavone, and Chelsea Starr all light up your night. The place where Seattle and Portland join forces! 9pm, Rotture, 315 SE Third. $5. Chicken Strip celebrates its one year anniversary. (Have your cake and eat it too, queens.) We are here to LIVE, not wither. Gather for the one year anniversary of this thing we call Chicken Strip and help blast it off into another year. And look who’s here: AMBROSIA SALAD (LA/SF). Featuring: Melody Awesomazing (Host), Serendipity Jones, Bomb Ass Pussy, DieAna Dae, Stacy Stl Lisa, House Of Aquarius. Music: Dj Sappho (Lofty Deep House) & Roy G Biv (Italian & French Disco set). I need a nap just thinking about it. 9:30pm, Funhouse Lounge, 2432 SE Eleventh. $5. Twerk. DJs ILL Camino and II Trill. Keywords: bring your twerk. The city's longest-running queer hip hop/R&B party--where artists, deejays, performers come to mix, mingle, and move on the dance floor. Established fun, all night long. 9pm, Local Lounge, 3536 NE MLK. $5. Update: Embers celebrates its 45th anniversary this weekend. (Damn, boys.) To top it off, so to speak, Dillon Rhomberg (the hunkiest bartender in town) says this about his 3rd Decade Disco Dance Party (<--click on the link): "Celebrating the start of my third decade with some of the best people I could have in my life. Reed Brenner and Andre Steward will also be celebrating their births from different decades--disco music all night long from DJ Dougalicious. No cover. Come to the Embers, it just so happens to be 4 1/2 decades old! Party starts around 9PM, but my new watch only works on Filipino time." Embers, 110 NW Broadway. Saturday Sprung: Fundraiser for Butch Voices. Queer burlesque from Lily Divine Productions and a sexy date auction and raffle—all proceeds support BUTCH Voices. 7pm, Crush. Tickets: http://bit.ly/1k81ynF. Q Center Winter Gala Afterparty: Tickets are just $25—take part in this fun night of raising money to support the programs and services of Q Center. Starts at 9:30pm, features DJ Gino Mari on decks and dessert by Hungry Hero Dessert Co. Castaway, 1900 NW 18. Big Sexy: A Sexy Showcase of the Fat and Fabulous: IT'S BACK with MAXIMUM FATITUDE! A talent show for chubby hotties with incredible talent of all types. And all for no cover. Hosted by the fantastic Nikki Lev, pre- and post-dance party supplied by DJ Aurora. Along with some incredible performances. 9pm, Local Lounge, 3536 NE MLK. Sunday This is all you ever need to know for Sunday: Superstar Divas, CCs, 8pm. Be there. 
