Ian Karmel
Watching hometown hero Ian Karmel blossom into an Emmy-nominated writer and beloved stand-up on the national scale has been a feel-good story for the ages. In the past year, his weekly All Fantasy Everything podcast has become the perfect sandbox for honing his quick-witted referential material, and it’s a constant reminder that he is one of the funniest comedians working today. The title of his latest hour, “30 Minutes About Trump, and Then 30 Minutes to Make You Forget About Trump,” gives you a general outline of what’s on the agenda for tonight, but with an added multimedia element up his sleeve, expect Karmel’s playful and rapid-fire delivery to get extra weird and wonderful. Throw in a supporting set from fellow beloved Portland comedy export Sean Jordan, along with plenty of boozy holiday vibes, and you’ve got all the makings for what’s sure to be one of 2017’s most memorable shows. CHIPP TERWILLIGER
9 pm, Revolution Hall, $22-25
Banana Stand Media’s 10-Year Anniversary
For the past 10 years, Portland production company Banana Stand Media has hosted wild house shows and recorded countless live albums and music videos (they’re responsible for capturing the Mercury’s free, monthly concert series, Sound + Vision). Tonight they’re throwing a big birthday party with some of the city’s best bands: 1939 Ensemble, Psychomagic, and Kulululu. CIARA DOLAN
9 pm, Mississippi Studios, $5
Renegade Craft Fair
It’s true there are a lot of craft fairs in this city, but Renegade Craft Fair is one of the bigger and better ones, particularly since it adds a healthy sprinkling of vendors traveling from out of state to mix in with some of our own region’s all-stars. MARJORIE SKINNER
Dec 22-23; Fri 2 pm, Sat 11 am; Pure Space, free
Portland Fire & Rescue Toy Drive
You have until Christmas Eve to donate an unwrapped toy to the drive organized by Portland Fire & Rescue! Suggested gifts for local kids in need include Play Doh sets, board games, Legos, and Fisher Price toys for infants. Last year, 129 businesses and organizations participated to collect over 50,000 toys together. EMILLY PRADO
Dec 22-24, 8 am, Space Room, free
Fluff and Gravy Records Holiday Party
For years, Anna Tivel and Jeffrey Martin have been musical partners, playing on each others’ songs and touring together. They also released two of the very best albums to come out of Portland in 2017: Tivel’s Small Believer is a collection of beautiful and airy folk songs about everyday life. Her tunes are immaculately crafted, and her voice and melodies recall the less amplified moments of the great Canadian singer/songwriter Kathleen Edwards. Martin’s One Go Around highlights his rugged voice and incredible skill for storytelling; listen to the album’s chilling opening track, “Poor Man,” as soon as you can. These two are a powerhouse duo for the local Fluff and Gravy Records, and tonight they’ll be joined by Parson Red Heads frontman Evan Way and the label’s house band, Vacilando. BEN SALMON
9 pm, White Eagle, $10
Wave Action, Loveboys, Manglor Mountain
Wave Action’s simple, down-tempo surf feels like daydreaming about aquamarine beaches while lying in a lukewarm Fred Meyer kiddie pool on a gray, humid Portland summer day. CIARA DOLAN
8 pm, The Know
Mark O’Connor & Friends: An Appalachian Christmas
Grammy Award-winning violinist Mark O’Connor and a backing band featuring his family and friends infuse a set of beloved Christmas classics with a bit of folk and bluegrass flair for your holiday listening pleasure.
7:30 pm, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, $18-105
Millennial Falcon, Hell on Wheels, Weehawk, Lovejoy, Savage Nightingale
Millennial Falcon’s self-described “space pirate punk” combines the lighthearted elements of ska and the driving energy of punk rock. The Portland band’s latest release, Hikikomori, drips with angst, and songs like “Nazi Punchers” have enough gusto to power a small army. What really sets Millennial Falcon apart is the presence of comic book kitsch—it’s almost like they’re creating superhero soundtracks—but passionate rock ’n’ roll ingenuity prevents it from becoming another throwaway party punk band. DELANEY MOTTER
8 pm, Black Water Bar, $6
It’s a Tony Starlight Christmas!
If you like your holiday swinging with a dose of cocktails, check out It’s a Tony Starlight Christmas, in which Portland’s fave crooner is joined by a rat pack of talented singers to perform classic holiday hits (and comedy) in the style of Frank, Dino, Liza, Bing, and more. WM. STEVEN HUMPHREY
8 pm, The Tony Starlight Showroom, $30-75
Don’t forget to check out our Things To Do calendar for even more things to do!