Ash Street's Farewell to Punk Rock
A slew of Ash Street Saloon regulars spend six nights saying farewell to the longtime Portland venue. Tonight's installment passes the torch to some of the punk acts that have unleashed on the stage over the years, with sets from Green Jelly, Dead Friends, Cliterati, God Bless America, 48 Thrills, Knox Harrington, and a special interlude by Headless Pez.
Dec 29, 9 pm, Ash Street Saloon, $10
Nasalrod, C Average, Hair Puller
Beloved local experimental rockers Nasalrod bring their frenzied live show to the Fixin' To for a weird, energetic goodbye to 2017.
Dec 30, 9 pm, The Fixin' To, $7
The Adventures of Prince Achmed
Almost 100 years after it was made, 1926âs The Adventures of Prince Achmed still astonishes. Itâs the oldest feature-length animated movie that still exists, but itâs completely timeless, using German animator Lotte Reinigerâs intricate cutout technique to create gorgeous silhouettes that depict a gripping, surreal adventure from the Arabian Nights, populated by sorcerers and demons. NED LANNAMANN
Dec 30, 4:30 pm, NW Film Center's Whitsell Auditorium, $6-9
Helvetia, Deathlist, Floating Room
Local experimental rock band Helvetia are closing out a busy year by paying respects to frontman Jason Albertiniâs previous band, Duster, who released a pair of slowcore classics on Up Records before calling it quits in the early 2000s. With Duster co-founder Dove Amber along for the ride, tonightâs tribute is two-thirds of the way to reunion status, making this rare opportunity to witness a beloved catalogue of songs performed live an unmissable event for Duster devotees and curious indie rock aficionados alike. CHIPP TERWILLIGER
Dec 29, 9 pm, Mississippi Studios, $5
Hungry Hungry Hip-Hop
The monthly showcase spotlighting the many flavors and styles in Portland's hip-hop community returns to the Atlantis Lounge. The last show of 2017 features performances from Slickwitted founder Charis, FUTRO founder Neo G Yo, and MG Productions' Moblin, all followed up by a dance party featuring VNPRT and Eric Fury behind the decks.
Dec 29, 9 pm, Mississippi Pizza Pub & Atlantis Lounge, $5
My Neighbor Totoro
The word "genius" gets batted around with regard to filmmakers with a numbing, reductive frequency. But if Hayao Miyazaki doesnât qualify for that title, who does? Since making his directorial debut with 1979âs The Castle of Cagliostro, Miyazaki has blazed his own distinct trail, blending atomic-clock action timing with an awe-inspiring, hand-rendered sense of the infinite. Nobody else can balance exhilarating weightlessness with moral gravity in quite the same proportions. ANDREW WRIGHT
Academy Theater, see Movie Times for showtimes, $3-4
Jenny Don't & the Spurs
Donât do what Donnie Donât does, but do do the to-do that Jenny Donât and the Spurs are doinâ up at Landmark Saloon, the Division Street neighborhoodâs bastion of twangy good times. The country outfit released their Call of the Road full-length earlier this year, and its lonesome, high-desert sound does the outlaw country tradition proud while inventing a few traditions of its own, like injecting a few morsels of punk rawness and West Coast surf guitar into their addictive, boot-scootinâ sound. If your ideal way to ring in the New Year involves leather, whiskey, and echoes of Patsy Cline, Jenny Donât and the Spurs have you covered. NED LANNAMANN
Dec 31, 9 pm, Landmark Saloon, free
Dan Sheron
Tonight is the last night of Balto frontman Dan Sheronâs week-long residency at Alâs Den. Sheronâs rootsy musical leanings stem from his troubadour days in Siberia and Moscow, and he recently returned from a 16-stop tour through Russia by train. His wanderlust has yielded several releases under the Balto parasol, beginning with 2011âs Octoberâs Road, followed by 2012âs Monuments, and later 2015âs 7-inch Call It by Its Name. Baltoâs most recent record, Strangers, dropped in early 2017 via Total Reality Meltdown, and bursts with feel-good rockers like the addictive opening track âLost on the Youngâ and the Paul Simon-esque âRestless Generation.â Wind down the year with comforting suds and one of the better songwriters in Portland. RYAN J. PRADO
Dec 30, 7 pm, Al's Den, free
Winter Farmers Mercado
âTis the season to support local growers! Farmers Markets arenât just for the summer and you can stock up on your favorite fruits, veggies, and small batch food products every Saturday through the March at the Portland Mercado. This indoor and outdoor market also promises activities for the kids, live music, and chef-led educational programs in addition to bounds of fresh produce. EMILLY PRADO
Dec 30, 10 am, Portland Mercado, free
Down Gown, Trappist-1, Shrill Tones
Portlandâs Down Gown play with wiry poise, exuding unhinged, manic ferocity one minute, then shifting to melodies so mired in dissonant structures they almost seem surreal. Ryan J. Prado
Dec 29, 9 pm, The Lombard Pub, free
Don't forget to check out our Things To Do calendar for even more things to do!
