Events

MUSIC—Sounding like the best of a classic rock station, Sweden’s Graveyard takes Janis Joplin, Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones, and all your favorite guitar riffs, mixes them in a blender made of kick-ass, and commands you to defy their foot-stomping enticements. Their distinctive sound has never been more apparent than on their newest album, Innocence […]

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11 MUSIC—The Stumptown Soul Holiday Spectacular is aptly named, with a huge roster of the city’s best musicians—Ural Thomas, Michael Quinby, and Reggie Houston among them. Plus, proceeds go to benefit the good work being done over at Shriners Hospital. Feel the spirit! MARJORIE SKINNERStar Theater, 13 NW 6th, 7:30 pm, $15 MUSIC—I’m […]

COMEDY—Portland stand-up Nathan Brannon is funny as hell. He’s been crowned BOTH Portland’s Funniest Person and champion of the Seattle International Comedy Competition, and opened for the likes of Maria Bamford and Dave Chappelle. Brannon’s politically edged humor is always among the best. MEGAN BURBANKHelium Comedy Club, 1510 SE 9th, 8 pm, $10-18 MUSIC—If you […]

MUSIC—Patterson Hood, the vaunted Drive-By Truckers frontman, has taken to spending winters in the Doug Fir. He’s playing two early Wednesday shows this month in the woodsy basement cave as an annual residency of sorts. Give him some Portland cheer on this, his first night. COURTNEY FERGUSONw/Thayer Sarrano; Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside, 6:45 pm, […]

STORIES—The gang from the historical storytelling series Stumptown Stories is gathering in a cozy basement bar to regale you with stories of Portland’s past, of murder and chaos, Christmas mysteries and Hanukkah paradises. They promise thrilling holiday tales, plus a jam-packed raffle and a mythical beast called Sober Santa. You don’t have to be sober, […]

MUSIC—In a season piled high with saccharine and facile gratitude, let’s be truly thankful for easy choices. When Alabama Shakes brings its soaring, soulful strains to West Burnside this evening, you will either be in attendance or you will have consigned yourself to a tuneless and coal-dusted holiday purgatory. Can’t get tickets? Listen from the […]

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4 IMPROV—The perma-hilarious Shelley McLendon’s brand-new Siren Theater’s been a game-changer for Portland comedy, and tonight’s installment of the new improv show Leviathan is too, pairing words from guest monologist Stephanie Schneiderman with off-the-cuff merriment from a goddamn dream team of improvisers. If you’re allergic to college-basement improv, McLendon & Co. will restore […]

MUSIC—Oh! Oh! Oh! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! The band !!! (pronounced “chk chk chk,” or anything monosyllabic and thrice repeated, really) are bringers of the sweat-hot energy you need to combat these wintry temps, and this show features a bonus round in which the band will open for themselves as Stereolab cover band, Stereolad. Sick! Sick! […]

FILM—Jerry Lundegaard is in a bit of a pickle in the Coen Brothers’ 1996 classic Fargo. Sure, he’s not hella pregnant like near-to-bursting Police Chief Marge Gunderson. And he’s not taking a dirt nap in the ol’ wood chipper, like some people. But still, Jerry Lundegaard is good and fucked in this delightful and dark […]

HOLIDAY LIGHTS—Okay, fine, so you don’t get to race around the speedway at 100 MPH. But the Portland International Raceway does have a very fun and detailed Winter Wonderland light show in which you creep around the track looking at lighted displays of Santa doing ski jumps, and listening to holiday tunes on the radio. […]