Short List: Upcoming events include John Cleese, swap meets, ‘Wooden Dimes,’ Billie Holiday tribute, ‘Beetlejuice’

Published 12:15 am Sunday, March 31, 2024

Comedy

The legend from “Monty Python,” John Cleese comes to Portland on his “John Cleese: The Last Time To See Me Before I Die!” tour, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 3 at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall (portland5.com).

Remember the hit show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” The cast members have returned in “Whose Live Anyway,” and it hits the stage at 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 3 and Friday, April 5 at Revolution Hall. They are Ryan Stiles, Greg Proops, Jeff B. Davis and Joel Murray and they are funny in improvisation based on audience suggestions (revolutionhall.com).

Tom Segura takes the stage for his standup act at Moda Center on his “Come Together” tour, 7 p.m. Sunday, April 7 (rosequarter.com).

Swap meets

It’s a big week for car enthusiasts, as the two notable swap meets will take place in North Portland:

PIR Auto Swap Meet hours are 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, April 4-6 at Portland International Raceway (portlandraceway.org).

Portland Swap Meet hours are 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, April 5, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, April 6 and 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, April 7 at Expo Center (portlandautoswapmeet.com).‘Nassim’

Reminder: Previews begin March 30 for the theatrical experiment “Nassim” by Iranian playwright Nassim Soleimanpour in collaboration with Boom Arts and Portland Center Stage at The Armory. The show: Each night a different performer joins the playwright on stage, while the script waits unseen in a sealed box. It’s a “striking theatrical demonstration of how language can both divide and unite us,” publicity says. “See local actors, artists, and celebrities perform the script for the very first time, right along with the audience.” The lineup includes Zia McCabe (The Dandy Warhols), Larry Owens (“Abbott Elementary”), Joaquin Lopez (Portland’s Creative Laureate), Kevin Cook (Poison Waters), Maddie Tran (“Hair”) and more. The regular run is April 5-May 12.

More: pcs.org.Home show

The House & Outdoor Living Show, which could help you get ready for spring/summer projects, takes place Friday-Sunday, April 5-7 at Oregon Convention Center.

More: homeshowcenter.com.

‘Wooden Dimes’

It’s a dramatic one-act ballet by Oregon Ballet Theatre Artistic Director Danielle Rowe. “Wooden Dimes” launches audiences into the tumultuous relationship of 1920s-era chorus girl Betty Fine and husband Robert, a passion ultimately ripped apart by resentment and jealousy. It stages April 5-13 at Newmark Theatre.

More: obt.org.

Live Music

The Tribune runs a list of notable concerts each month under title “Live Music” on its website, portlandtribune.com/lifestyle. Check it out — each and every month.

Siren Nation presents the 17th annual “Lady Sings the Blues — A Tribute to Billie Holiday,” 8 p.m. Saturday, April 6 at Alberta Rose Theatre (albertarosetheatre.com). Featured performers are Marcia Hocker (curator), Nafisaria Mathews, Jessie Marquez, Shelly Rudolph, Marilyn Keller and Lenanne Sylvester Miller.

Ruthie Foster, a four-time Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter, performs at Alberta Rose Theatre, 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 9 (albertarosetheatre.com). Her newest album is “Healing Time,” which includes collaborations with Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks.

Oregon Symphony

Conductor David Danzmayr leads Oregon Symphony in playing Mozart’s “Requiem,” as well as William Grant Still’s “Darker America” and James Wilson’s “Remnants for Poet and Orchestra.” Concert times are 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 6, 2 p.m. Sunday, April 7 and 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 8 at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.

More: orsymphony.org.

Stage

Broadway Rose in Tigard stages “Sh-Boom! Life Could Be A Dream,” a doo-wopping, feel-good musical revue with timeless chart stoppers, April 4-28 at its New Stage (broadwayrose.org).

Northwest Children’s Theater presents “A Year with Frog and Toad” by Shalanda Sims, as best friends hop, sing and dance through a year of adventure (for ages 4 and up), April 6-28 at The Judy Kafoury Center for Youth Arts (nwcts.org).

Based on Tim Burton’s beloved film, the Broadway production of “Beetlejuice” coming to Portland tells the story of Lydia Deetz, a strange and unusual teenager whose life changes when she meets a recently deceased couple and a demon with a thing for stripes. It stages April 9-14 at Keller Auditorium (broadwayinportland.com).