THURSDAY, JANUARY 19

VIVA THEATER—Think of the Fertile Ground festival as an umbrella, covering brand-new work from across the spectrum of Portland's performance community. For days, theaters showcase dance, comedy, and fully staged productions—and with participating companies including Portland Center Stage, Artists Rep, and Portland Playhouse, it's an affordable way to explore both established companies and brand-new ones. AH
Various locations, through Jan 29, ticket prices vary, $50 for a full festival pass, fertilegroundpdx.org for details

LOVERS LOVER—The lady trio of Lovers, Portland's makers of beautiful haunting albums like Dark Light and I Am the West, lend their audacious musicianship to raise money for their friend Natalie who is suffering from pricey neurological problems. Join the gals for a good cause, then stick around to dance the night away with DJs Linoleum and Kinetic. CF
w/Anaturale, Brittle Bones; Rotture, 315 SE 3rd, 9 pm, $8-15 sliding scale

FRIDAY, JANUARY 20

HECKLEVISION—The Mercury and the Hollywood Theatre team up to present Hecklevision—a night that will forever change the way you watch movies! We'll be screening 1984's Swayze-tastic classic Red Dawn, but that's not all: Thanks to technology™, anyone with a cell phone can have their text messages instantly pop up on the bottom of the movie screen! Get ready for hilarious/smart/rabidly patriotic text commentary from Mercury writers, Blogtown commenters, and... YOU. EH
Hollywood Theatre, 4122 NE Sandy, 7:30 pm, $7

BURLESQUE—Already a Portland burlesque institution, the Rosehip Revue celebrates their second anniversary tonight with a fun, sexy lineup of seductive performers—including Angélique DeVil, Sophie Maltease, and "boylesque" trio Burlesquire! EH
Star Theater, 13 NW 6th, 9 pm, $13-15, 21+

SATURDAY, JANUARY 21

SLAMMA JAMMA—Come out for the season opener of the Rose City Rollers' season seven. The four home teams of Portland's roller derby league play two huge bouts: last year's winners the Break Neck Betties vs. the lady lucks of the High Rollers, and the Heartless Heathers battling it out with the butt rockers of Guns N Rollers. Kick out the jams! CF
Memorial Coliseum, 300 Winning Way, 5:45 pm, $14-20

SCIENTIFIC EXPLOSIONS—Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage have built themselves an empire by strapping C4 to urban legends and blowing shit up until only the glowing cinders of scientific truth remain. The MythBusters: Behind the Myths promises backstage stories, a gag reel, and for the first time ever, audience participation in their onstage experiments. Watch your fingers. BR
Keller Auditorium, 222 SW Clay, 4 & 8 pm, $43-70

SUNDAY, JANUARY 22

PIE EYED—Pacific Pie Company, an Australian pie company, is celebrating our National Pie Day a day early, and they're aiming to throw a pie party we won't soon forget with a pie contest. First place sweet and savory pies will be featured on Pacific Pie Company's February menu! SS
Pacific Pie Company, 1520 SE 7th, submit pie by 1 pm, judging at 2 pm, FREE

BEST IN SHOW—Floppy sloppy dogs! It's time for the Rose City Classic Dog Show, filled with shop-'til-you-drop pet supply vendors, professional dog photographers, student art dog-drawing contests, and the prancing. Lord, the prancing. Don't miss a chance to see some of the fastest and most agile dogs in the world on this last day of the show! SS
Portland Expo Center, 2060 N Marine, Thurs 8 am-6 pm, Fri-Sun 7:30 am-7 pm, $10 ($8 for parking)

MONDAY, JANUARY 23

CARTOONY TIME—Re-Run Theater presents Saturday Morning at Night, featuring a startling array of classic animation including Merrie Melodies WWII propaganda films, Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids, Thundarr the Barbarian, old-timey toy commercials... and of course, sugary cereal to munch on. Wear yer PJs! WSH
Hollywood Theatre, 4122 NE Sandy, 7:30 pm, $5

STORIED PAST—Portland's favorite on-the-fly storytelling night, Back Fence PDX, hits the big time with a free show at Portland Center Stage. An auctioneer, a pie cart owner, a comedienne, and a Bigfoot enthusiast all tell tales on the theme of "I Didn't Think This Through!" The free tix are already sold out so show up early to get on the wait list. SM
Gerding Theater at the Armory, 128 NW 11th, 7:45 pm, FREE, 21+

TUESDAY, JANUARY 24

I'M A SLAVE 4 U—David Graeber, the radical anthropologist (not like a Ninja Turtle) who helped organize the first-ever Occupy Wall Street general assembly, plumbs the history of debt in his new book Debt: The First 5,000 Years. Turns out that the noble origin stories about capitalism aren't what they seem. Also, you're probably a slave. DCT
Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 NE Alberta, 8 pm, $6-7.50

BUFFY TRIVIA—Sure, you say you're a Joss Whedon fan... but how much do you really know? Put your nerd money where your nerd mouth is with Whedonverse Geek Trivia, where you'll be queried about Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Firefly, and Dollhouse as well as special questions contributed by Dark Horse Comics Editor Scott Allie! Plus $200 in prizes to boot! WSH
Kennedy School, 5736 NE 33rd, doors at 6:30 pm, FREE

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25

NATIONALE ANTHEM—After three years, Nationale has become much more than your typical boutique. It's grown into a haven of art, performances, and exhibits—and it's still a really cool shop. Celebrate its birthday tonight with bands, DJs, performance art, video installations, and more, with the likes of Scout Niblett, Woolly Mammoth Comes to Dinner, and Jenn Armbrust's free advice booth. NL
w/Tunnels, DJ Hostile Tapeover, DJ Sleep Less; Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison, 8:30 pm, $6

INDIE PARTISAN—Green Noise Records are throwing a specially curated music night right in the middle of your workweek. DJ Ken Dirtnap holds down the fort and local basement vets and garage rockers Hornet Leg and Hey Lover headline, along with a tantalizingly elusive group known as Dad & Dad. WE
The Know, 2026 NE Alberta, 8 pm, FREE