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Upcoming Shows at Backspace

Backspace is an active music venue featuring a wide variety of musical style, you can catch all sorts of different acts here seven days a week. Check out our up to date calendar below to view our upcoming events.

July 30





Friday, July 30. 5pm. $5.00

SCHOOL OF ROCK student showcase


You will be surprised by how much these kids ROCK!

$5 - ALWAYS ALL AGES!

July 30





Friday, July 30. 7pm. $5.00

Portland Youth Jazz Orchestra


Passing on the tradition of the American art forms of jazz, funk, and improvisation though big band. PYJO was created in 2001 by Ben and Michelle Medler bringing young musicians together from Portland and the surrounding areas to rehearse & study the art of Jazz music. PYJO challenges up-and-coming musicians!

July 31





Saturday, July 31. 9pm. $5.00

BOOM! (7" release!)
White Fang (7" RELEASE)
Cafeteria Dance Fever


Four tapes, a CD, an LP and a few hundred shows later; THREE losers with broken gear, open beers and a growing reputation for ecstatic, blissed out performances = White Fang.

August 2





Monday, August 2. 7pm. FREE!

DORKBOT!


Dorkbot is a group of affiliated organizations worldwide that sponsor grassroots meetings of artists, engineers, designers, scientists, inventors, and anyone else working under the very broad umbrella of electronic art. The dorkbot motto is "people doing strange things with electricity".

Started by Douglas Repetto at the Columbia University Computer Music Center in 2000, dorkbot has spread around the world, with over sixty chapters either planning or actively holding meetings.


August 6 New Event!





Friday, August 6. 9pm. $5.00

Class M Planets
MNEMONIC SOUNDS
VAROSHA


Members of Portland's "thbrotheregg" bring you CLASS M PLANETS! Also the intricate textures of MNEMONIC SOUNDS

August 7





Saturday, August 7. 9pm. $5.00

And And And
Steel Wells
Fanno Creek
A. King


Very few people would be surprised to see AND AND AND rise to national attention after listening to their fantastic sophomore album "A Fresh New Summer With And And And". Their spastic live shows are a refreshing reminder that some dudes can come together and effortlessly deliver a great night for everyone involved.

August 8





Sunday, August 8. 7pm. FREE!

PORTLAND POETRY SLAM!
Portland Poetry Slam


August 8th- Open Slam featuring Eirean Bradley
A rare PDX feature from the Reigning Portland City Grand Slam Champion. He is Cranky, He is Bearded, He is Chubby, He is one of the foulest mouthed humans alive. You'll love him.

This is our first qualifying slam of the season- 8 poets duke it out for a $50 cash prize and the adoration of the crowd, and if that isn't enough 1st and 2nd place earn a spot in our semi final on sept 26th to try and earn a spot in our grand slam championship in april.

Also an open mic.

Sign up starts at 7:30 (slam list closes at 8 people so do be late.)
$5 suggested donation

August 12





Thursday, August 12. 9pm. $5.00

Van Go Lion
Very International Love
Jen Moon
Apartments


VAN GO LION are an electro-pop duo from consisting of Amy Paige (vocals, lyrics) and Josh Loerzel (keys, music.) The combination of the intricate keys, pounding electronic beats, memorable hooks, and Paige's forceful voice will make you pay attention to this band.

August 16





Monday, August 16. 7pm. FREE!

DORKBOT!


Dorkbot is a group of affiliated organizations worldwide that sponsor grassroots meetings of artists, engineers, designers, scientists, inventors, and anyone else working under the very broad umbrella of electronic art. The dorkbot motto is "people doing strange things with electricity".

Started by Douglas Repetto at the Columbia University Computer Music Center in 2000, dorkbot has spread around the world, with over sixty chapters either planning or actively holding meetings.


August 17





Tuesday, August 17.

R.E.A.L. PREP CHARTER ACADEMY SHOW


::: FREE ::: EVERY ::: TUESDAY ::: ALL AGES

Come see what Portland's new R.E.A.L. Prep Charter Academy (School of Hip Hop) is all about!

Youth performers and DJ's every week, with special guests.

August 19 New Event!





Thursday, August 19. 8pm. $6.00

Portland Folk Festival
Sea of Bees
Bear Feet

August 20





Friday, August 20. $5.00

The Rainy States (CD RELEASE!)
And And And
Social Studies
DJ Scott Oseth


THE RAINY STATES create a striking sound with the male/female vocal pairing of front woman Betsy Johnson and guitarist Kevin Morgan. Combined with Morgan's sharp guitar work, straight-ahead songwriting, and a tight rhythm section, The Rainy States put a their own spin on classic Rock N' Roll.

August 21





Saturday, August 21. 8pm. $5.00

Doubleplusgood
Wishyunu
Pocket Knife

August 22





Sunday, August 22. 7pm. FREE!

PORTLAND POETRY SLAM!
Portland Poetry Slam


August 22nd- Kim Johnson, San Francisco, CA

Kim Johnson was a 2009 Individual World Poetry Slam finalist and is currently ranked 10th in the world. She is also the coach of the 2009 San Francisco slam team currently ranked 3rd in the nation. A four-time Bay Area slam team member and poet mentor for both Youth Speaks and Lyrical Minded SF. She has toured the country performing at various slam venues, schools, clubs, colleges and festivals and is a 12-time dirty haiku champion.

8 poets duke it out for a $50 cash prize and the adoration of the crowd, and if that isn't enough 1st and 2nd place earn a spot in our semi final on sept 26th to try and earn a spot in our grand slam championship in april.

Also an open mic.

Sign up starts at 7:30 (slam list closes at 8 people so do be late.)
$5 dollar suggested donation

August 24





Tuesday, August 24.

R.E.A.L. PREP CHARTER ACADEMY SHOW


::: FREE ::: EVERY ::: TUESDAY ::: ALL AGES

Come see what Portland's new R.E.A.L. Prep Charter Academy (School of Hip Hop) is all about!

Youth performers and DJ's every week, with special guests.

August 28





Saturday, August 28.

Wax Fingers
By Sunlight
Manuok

August 30





Monday, August 30. 7pm. FREE!

DORKBOT!


Dorkbot is a group of affiliated organizations worldwide that sponsor grassroots meetings of artists, engineers, designers, scientists, inventors, and anyone else working under the very broad umbrella of electronic art. The dorkbot motto is "people doing strange things with electricity".

Started by Douglas Repetto at the Columbia University Computer Music Center in 2000, dorkbot has spread around the world, with over sixty chapters either planning or actively holding meetings.


August 31





Tuesday, August 31. 8pm. $7.00

Junius
Orbs
Ghosts & Monsters

September 10





Friday, September 10. 8pm (doors open at 7pm). $10.00

MFNW SHOWCASE
Abe Vigoda
The Magic Kids
Wampire
Astrology


$10 or MFNW wristband.

September 11





Saturday, September 11. 8pm (doors open at 7pm). $13.00

MFNW SHOWCASE
Titus Andronicus
BOAT
The Globes
And And And


$13 or MFNW wristband.

September 12 New Event!





Sunday, September 12. 7:30pm. FREE!

Portland Poetry Slam


In the fall of 2007, Tara Brenner attended a performance poetry workshop and competed at her first poetry slam event. With her trademark ability to combine pathos, satire, sincerity, and moxie, Brenner quickly became integral to the performance poetry field in Idaho through her work as a performer, a three-time National Poetry Slam competitor, a coach and mentor to her peers and new poets, and a writing workshop facilitator. Brenner's work has been featured at venues in Oakland, Berkeley, Madison, West Palm Beach, and Albuquerque. She also was featured with the Boise Slam Team on the 2009 Individual World Poetry Slam finals stage.

8 poets duke it out for a $50 cash prize and the adoration of the crowd, and if that isn't enough 1st and 2nd place earn a spot in our semi final on sept 26th to try and earn a spot in our grand slam championship in april.

Also an open mic.

Sign up starts at 7:30 (slam list closes at 8 people so don't be late.)
$5 dollar suggested donation

September 13





Monday, September 13. 7pm. FREE!

DORKBOT!


Dorkbot is a group of affiliated organizations worldwide that sponsor grassroots meetings of artists, engineers, designers, scientists, inventors, and anyone else working under the very broad umbrella of electronic art. The dorkbot motto is "people doing strange things with electricity".

Started by Douglas Repetto at the Columbia University Computer Music Center in 2000, dorkbot has spread around the world, with over sixty chapters either planning or actively holding meetings.


September 20





Monday, September 20. 7pm. FREE!

DORKBOT!


Dorkbot is a group of affiliated organizations worldwide that sponsor grassroots meetings of artists, engineers, designers, scientists, inventors, and anyone else working under the very broad umbrella of electronic art. The dorkbot motto is "people doing strange things with electricity".

Started by Douglas Repetto at the Columbia University Computer Music Center in 2000, dorkbot has spread around the world, with over sixty chapters either planning or actively holding meetings.


September 26





Sunday, September 26. 7pm. FREE!

PORTLAND POETRY SLAM!
Portland Poetry Slam


All Ages!

SIGN UP AT 7:30
$5 suggested donation


Y'all, this is going to be a badass show. An open slam for $50, an open mic, a silent auction featuring all kinds of badass local stuff you want to get your hands on to help fundraise for the PDX poetry slam team, and if that wasn't enough- A feature by 2 time national champ and PDX slam team member ANIS MOJGANI

a lil about our feature-

Mojgani won back-to-back titles in the National Individual Poetry Slam in 2005 and 2006, and was in the documentary Slam Planet: War of the Words. In 2007 Mojgani was on HBO's Def Poetry Jam and won first place at the World Cup Poetry Slam held in Bobigny, France as part of the French National Slam Championships among 16 National Poetry Slam Champions. He has toured all over the world, just recently returning from South Africa, and is one of the most innovative and dynamic poets you have ever seen.


September 27





Monday, September 27. 7pm. FREE!

DORKBOT!


Dorkbot is a group of affiliated organizations worldwide that sponsor grassroots meetings of artists, engineers, designers, scientists, inventors, and anyone else working under the very broad umbrella of electronic art. The dorkbot motto is "people doing strange things with electricity".

Started by Douglas Repetto at the Columbia University Computer Music Center in 2000, dorkbot has spread around the world, with over sixty chapters either planning or actively holding meetings.


October 4





Monday, October 4. 7pm. FREE!

DORKBOT!


Dorkbot is a group of affiliated organizations worldwide that sponsor grassroots meetings of artists, engineers, designers, scientists, inventors, and anyone else working under the very broad umbrella of electronic art. The dorkbot motto is "people doing strange things with electricity".

Started by Douglas Repetto at the Columbia University Computer Music Center in 2000, dorkbot has spread around the world, with over sixty chapters either planning or actively holding meetings.


October 8 New Event!





Friday, October 8. 9pm.

AIDS Wolf
Child Abuse
Terraform
Hotface

October 10





Sunday, October 10. 7pm. FREE!

PORTLAND POETRY SLAM!
Portland Poetry Slam


All Ages!

SIGN UP AT 7:30
$5 suggested donation


Y'all, this is going to be a badass show. An open slam for $50, an open mic, a silent auction featuring all kinds of badass local stuff you want to get your hands on to help fundraise for the PDX poetry slam team, and if that wasn't enough- A feature by 2 time national champ and PDX slam team member ANIS MOJGANI

a lil about our feature-

Mojgani won back-to-back titles in the National Individual Poetry Slam in 2005 and 2006, and was in the documentary Slam Planet: War of the Words. In 2007 Mojgani was on HBO's Def Poetry Jam and won first place at the World Cup Poetry Slam held in Bobigny, France as part of the French National Slam Championships among 16 National Poetry Slam Champions. He has toured all over the world, just recently returning from South Africa, and is one of the most innovative and dynamic poets you have ever seen.


October 11





Monday, October 11. 7pm. FREE!

DORKBOT!


Dorkbot is a group of affiliated organizations worldwide that sponsor grassroots meetings of artists, engineers, designers, scientists, inventors, and anyone else working under the very broad umbrella of electronic art. The dorkbot motto is "people doing strange things with electricity".

Started by Douglas Repetto at the Columbia University Computer Music Center in 2000, dorkbot has spread around the world, with over sixty chapters either planning or actively holding meetings.


October 15 New Event!





Friday, October 15.

POH HOP FEST