Thursday, June 1: Jean-Luc Ponty at The Shedd Institute (E Broadway & High St.), 7:30 p.m., $39-$45
Jean-Luc Ponty’s prolific 60-year career has made him a pioneer in the world of jazz fusion. With his virtuosic grasp of the elusive jazz violin, Ponty has catapulted himself among names like Frank Zappa, John McLaughlin and Chick Corea. This Thursday, he’s teaming up with keyboardist Wally Minko, bassist Barron Browne, guitarist Jamie Glaser and drummer Rayford Griffin.
As part of The Shedd’s “Now Hear This” concert series, Ponty will take you back to the late ’70s by performing the fusion jams that helped define the genre during his collaboration with Atlantic Records. His ability to masterfully manipulate the strings of a violin in his brilliant compositions has more than cemented his place in jazz history. Opportunities to see a true jazz legend are waning with each year that passes.
The Shedd ticket office number is (541)-434-7000.
Friday, June 2: Travis Scott at Cuthbert Amphitheater (2300 Leo Harris Pkwy), 7 p.m., all ages
Jacques Webster, Jr. is having a busy year. The rapper, known onstage as Travis Scott, is on tour for his third studio album, “Astroworld,” due for release sometime this year. He also collaborated with Migos on its debut album, “Culture,” headlined NBA All-Star Weekend in New Orleans and contributed to Drake’s latest project “More Life.” He’ll continue his banner year with a concert in Eugene this Friday.
Raised in Houston, Scott’s musical style has always been eclectic. His second album, “Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight,” exhibited a large number of guest artists and a dark, continuously shifting sound. Scott himself has disowned the “rapper” label, pointing to his singing, music videos and occasional role as producer as an example of his wide-ranging talent. His show is certain to exhibit that talent when he takes the stage at the Cuthbert Amphitheater.
Friday, June 2: Professor Steven Shankman book launch at Knight Browsing Room (1501 Kincaid St.), 4 to 5 p.m.
UO Professor Steven Shankman’s new book, “Turned Inside Out: Reading the Russian Novel in Prison,” reflects on his moving experience teaching books written by Emmanuel Levinas, Leo Tolstoy and many others to inmates. You can join Shankman this Friday to celebrate and discuss the book’s launch.
Shankman currently teaches an Inside-Out class every Thursday, taking students to the Oregon State Correctional Institute for class. His book intertwines the texts discussed in class along with the incredible insight prisoners involved in the program have to offer.
You can learn more about the book at www.nupress.northwestern.edu.
Friday, June 2: ‘Venus in Fur’ at Oregon Contemporary Theatre, (194 W. Broadway), 7:30 p.m., student tickets $15
American playwright David Ives’s play “Venus in Fur” is about theater and blurs the lines between reality and fantasy. It follows Vanda, an actress, as she auditions for Tom, a playwright-director who is adapting an 1870 Austrian novel about masochism, “Venus in Furs” into a play. Ives is known for his short, one-act plays and fiction, and is a prolific writer. Ives’ work has been performed around the country. Last year, University of Oregon University Theatre staged a show of his called “The School for Lies,” an adaptation of the French playwright Moliere’s “Misanthrope.” Ives is a versatile writer and “Venus in Fur” is bound to be a funny, exciting play. It runs Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. each show.
For more information and ticket information, visit OCT at octheater.com or call 541-465-1506.
Saturday, June 3: 2nd Annual Invitational Brew Fest at The Bier Stein (1591 Willamette St), 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., Admission is $20 (Cash Only), 21+
The Bier Stein Invitational Brew Fest is back and will be hosting more than 30 local breweries from around the state of Oregon. A wide variety of brews will be poured from a selection of new, seasonal, one-off beers, ciders and meads. Additionally, Oregon Wood Fired Pizza will be also be at the event serving fresh pizza to all Brew Fest goers. A bicycle valet will be on-hand, along with a refillable water station, so attendees are encouraged to bring their own reusable bottle. Admission is $20 and includes a 0.25-liter glass and five beer tickets to be spent at the various booths. Pours will range from 1-4 tickets per four ounce pour. Only cash will be accepted at check-in, and attendants must be 21 or older to purchase a ticket. The fest is also offering a reduced “designated driver admission” at $5 for those taking one for the team.

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Things to do this week: Jean-Luc Ponty, Travis Scott, 2nd Annual Invitational Brew Fest