FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18
FORMAL—Portland takes a lot of guff for underdressing, so note that this is Tender Loving Empire’s Winter Formal. Along with all they do during the rest of the year, tonight TLE’s enlisted Chanti Darling and Thanks to perform, rousted up a photo booth, and arranged for ticket proceeds to aid the crisis in Syria. The least you can do is wear a tie. MARJORIE SKINNER
w/DJ II Trill; The Secret Society, 116 NE Russell, 8 pm, $10 solo, $15 duo
MUSIC—To benefit Portland’s Creative Music Guild, a diverse three-pack of local music-makers are joining forces, including the heartfelt rock of Modern Kin, the experimental upright-bass-and-drums of the Crenshaw, and the melted folk of Dragging an Ox Through Water, each highlighting an aspect of the city’s thriving music culture. NED LANNAMANN
Bunk Bar, 1028 SE Water, 9:30 pm, $8-10
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19
MUSIC—Folksy-punk legends X are doing their annual holiday tour, and their sack is jammed with presents for all the good kids of Portland. Celebrate a Christmas miracle as guitarist Billy Zoom performs even while battling with cancer, while Mike Watt of Firehose and Minutemen opens for the fabled
Los Angelenos. COURTNEY FERGUSON
Star Theater, 13 NW 6th, Sat & Sun 9 pm, $25
FILM—It’s time for my favorite Christmas event: the Hollywood’s annual screening of the 1984 horror flick Silent Night, Deadly Night. Much like admiring holiday decorations, watching Santa brutally murder people with an ax gets the holiday juices flowing. Who doesn’t love an antisocial St. Nick who’s hell-bent on mayhem? Nawww-teeeee! COURTNEY FERGUSON
Hollywood Theatre, 4122 NE Sandy, 7:30 pm, $8
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20
MUSIC/TOYS—Dear heartless bastard: For once can you think of the kids? Let’s make it easy for you. Grab an unwrapped toy (or $10) and bring it to the third annual Rock for a Reason, which pairs a toy drive for needy children with some awesome music. On the bill is the foot-stompin’ country twang of the Lonesome Billies, the harmonious Denver, Ryan Sollee (from the Builders and the Butchers), and sweet Americana folk from Ike Fonseca & Co. WM. STEVEN HUMPHREY
Doug Fir, 830 E Burnside, 8 pm, $10 or an unwrapped toy
MUSIC—People flock to see Typhoon’s emotional mix of philosophical urgency and sweeping arrangements on any given Tuesday, so the occasion of the project’s 10th anniversary has… well, it’s sold the heck out is what. Beg, borrow, or steal your way in (or try the ticket exchange they set up at uselyte.com). It will probably be worth it. MARJORIE SKINNER
Revolution Hall, 1300 SE Stark, 8 pm, do what you have to, all ages