HANUKKAH–Hey, Jews! Happy Hanukkah! (To learn more about the Jewish celebration
of Hannukkah, see pg 10. of the paper) WSH
In synogogues and homes all over the world, Beginning at sundown, Free
MUSIC–Crucify me if you like, but I believe the lush guitar noise of Seattle’s
Kinski makes Kevin Shields’ three-chord distortion sound like the jerky
motions of a second-rate bar band. Kinski does more than just turn up their
amps all the way. They transport you. See them live! With Silkworm, …Then
Poland. JS
Satyricon,125 NW 6th Ave,243-2380, 9 pm
FRIDAY DEC 22
MUSIC–She doesn’t play off her cute factor, and she knows her way around
her instrument, thank god. She’s the tough leading lady of boy-girl duo
Mood Swings. You’ll love her smart, unwavering screams and his clamorous drumming.
Though just starting out, they’ve got enough passion to make their future look
pretty rockin’. JS
Ash Street Saloon, 225 SW Ash, 226-0430, 9:30 pm, $5
CHEAP ART–Forget crappy bath soaps and stripped candles from Urban Outfitters.
Reading Frenzy has cheap, unique art that makes a fantastic present: original
illustrations by local superstar artist Martin Ontiveros, fake fur hats by In
Love We Trust, jewelry by Susan Beal, and hand- knit bunnies by Sonja Ahlers.
KD
Cheap Art Bazaar, Reading Frenzy, 921 SW Oak, 274-1449, through Dec 30
SATURDAY DEC 23
INDIE LEGEND–Alex Chilton! The definition of indie, and one of the world’s
greatest paradoxes: Even with his own #1 songs and with tribute songs to him
by REM and the Replacements, Chilton has managed to elude fame for nearly
four decades now. Heading up his on-again, off-again Big Star, Chilton drags
his proto-punk above ground for a rare show. PB
Big Star & The Posies, Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside, 8 pm, $20
MIDNIGHT MASS–Hey, Catholics! Happy Christmas! (To learn more about the Christian
celebration of Christmas, see pg 11. of the paper) WSH
Midnight Mass, In Catholic churches all over the world, 11 pm, free
MONDAY DEC 25
DIM SUM–C’mon, it’s Christmas day! And only Martha Stewart-wanna-be’s are
slaving over that hot stove. So let’s go to Dim Sum! Grab all your friends,
huddle around a huge table, asChinese food of every delicious variety is whisked
around you on metal rolling carts! Hey… Baby Jesus loves Dim Sum… and so
should YOU! WSH
Legin Restaurant, 8001 SE Division, 777-2828, 10 am to 3 pm, $2.25 & up per plate
TUESDAY DEC 26
MUSIC–So sick of Christmas carols you feel like kicking a reindeer in the
teeth? Take relief in 3rd and Failing (no, not the streets, the band), who will
be playing tight, hard indie rock, light enough that you’ll feel it in your
knees but solid enough to keep you dancing. KD
Medicine Hat, 1834 NE Alberta St, 778-7700, 9:30pm
MUSIC–Shopping, parties, presents, booze, candy. The holidays are a shock
to your system! The Holidays, however, are a jazzy, four-piece trip to calm
and goodness. You deserve to see them–this season’s almost over! See Music
pg 17. JS
Ash Street Saloon, 225 SW Ash, 226-0430, 9:30 pm, $4
THURSDAY DEC 28
DJs–Portland is home to so many DJs, that it’s hard to know which ones to
go hear. Know this: Izm, Wicked, Rising Sun, and Uni-T. All local DJs, all kick-ass.
Combined, you will hear a good sample of hip hop and house, spun taut and loose,
but held with a tight, rhythmic string. KD
Ohm, 31 NW 1st Ave, 223-9919, 9pm, $5
FRIDAY DEC 29
REKKIDS–(I am a hypnotist.) You love vinyl. You love the weight of it; its
scratchy sound; the extra-large cover art. You love it when it comes in clear
red, or marbled, or when it’s a special edition picture disc. You want to bring
your records to the Vinyl All-Night Listening Party. You will not bring Frampton
Comes Alive. I will bring Ciccone Youth and the Fan Modine. Then
we will dance. JS
Meow Meow, 527 SE Pine, 230-2111, 9 pm, $5
NEW YORKERS–With all the jazz improv going on here, you’d think Portland
was NYC’s Knitting Factory circa 1997. Tonight, check out some of the greats
who were actually there–contrabassist Ruben Radding and saxophonist Wally Shoup–as
they get their bleaty, free-form groove on. JS
Medicine Hat Gallery, 1834 NE Alberta, 282-4083, 9:30 pm, $6
IMPROV–Christmas plays are such fodder for parody: cheesy Santas, stuffy
carols, stale chestnuts. Come and watch the Brody Theater chop it up at their
improv Xmas fest, It’s Your Wonderful Life. KD
Brody Theater, 1904 NW 27th Ave, 224-0588, Fri-Sat, 7 pm, $10
MUSIC–It is possible to go from a tiny little label to a giant evil one and
still maintain your integrity. Don’t believe me? Come see Modest Mouse, the
world’s only non-sell out band on a giant label–original music that drips of
jaded, melodic guitars and bursts of sporadic, harmonious vocals. KD
Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside, 225-0047, 8:30 pm, $12
MY, WHAT A BUSY NEW YEAR’S!
Compiled by Katie Shimer and Brahmani Houston
1201–Private Party. Call club for details. Four DJs, Invite required.
10pm-10am
Ash St. Saloon–Lava de Mure, Multimedia extravaganza with a fashion
show, dance tunes, and molten eruptions. $12, 9 pm.
Arnada–Supervillain. 9pm.
Berbati’s Pan–An evening of Greek entertainment
Beulahland–An Evening with DJ Two. Champagne. No Cover.
Biddy McGraw’s–Live music with The Clumsy Lovers. Free appetizers and
champagne toast. $10.
Billy Reed’s–Special a la carte menu, Ben Fowler Band at 7:30. Champagne
Toast.
Blue Note–Snuffleupagus, no cover. $2.50 well drinks and micros, $3
Happy hour appetizers and $1 champagne at midnight.
* Cobalt Lounge–Sinner’s
Ball II, featuring DJ P of Z Trip, Mestizo, DJ Wiggles and DJ Duckee. Prizes
for lucky ones.
Conan’s Pub–Bring in the New Year with Jesus Presley.
Crystal Ballroom–Party favors, noisemakers and champagne toast at midnight.
The Retros provide the soundtrack.$30.
Dante’s–Black Angel with DJ Peek-a-boo.
* Darcelle XV--Three hours
of drag, from 9 to midnight. Dinner package is $60 per person, and includes
show, toast, and breakfast. $35 sans dinner.
Egyptian Tomb Room–New Year’s Bash, prizes, dancing with DJ Andy, buffet
11pm-4am.
Fernando’s Hideaway–Full course meal, dancing, champagne, Spanish grape
eating ritual where one must eat 12 grapes at midnight. $50 per person.
Henry Fords–Party with Lyle Chaffe starting at 7pm. Party favors, free
cab service from midnight-3 am.
Jimmy Mak’s–Tony Starlight at 10pm, dinner package $30 per person, $55
per couple. Entry/no dinner: $15 per person, $25 per couple.
Lotus–Two DJs, Z100 Broadcasting live in the Cardroom. Hits of the ’70s,
’80s, ’90s. Starts at 10pm. $10 cover.
* Medicine Hat–The Incredible
Kid and the House Party DJ Posse
* Mt. Hood Meadows–Dinner
buffet, lift ticket and fireworks display. 10pm. $50 per person.
Ohm--New Year’s Eve show w/ Dahlia, Odyssey, CNSE, Rico and Rock
* Roxy--Open all night,
as usual.
* Satyricon–The Denim
Demons, The Owners, F-Option
Saucebox–Dinner 5:30-10pm. DJ dance party ’til 3am.
* Spare Room--Prime Rib
& sautéed shrimp dinner, party favors, glass of champagne, music by Larry
& Teri at 9pm. $50 per couple.
Tiger Bar–My Regrets
Tonic–Pinehurst Kids, Camaro Hair
FILM–What better way to ebb away your throbbing headache than watch a bunch
of self-satisfied Danes search for their “inner idiots.” The second in Lars
Von Trier‘s afflicted women series, The Idiots follows around a group
of middle-class women who have chucked their jobs and pretend to be mentally
retarded. Horrifying, incredibly sad, but somehow you can’t help laughing. PB
Clinton Street, 2522 SE Clinton St, 233-1597, 7 and 9:30 pm, $7
ART–Okay, so the holidays are over, but let’s not forget the homeless are
still out there. Portland artist Debra Beers presents a gentle reminder with
her popular on-going show, Bill, wherein she constructs portraits of
the homeless using found objects. WSH
Mark Woolley Gallery, 120 NW 9th Ave, #210, 224-5475, Through Jan 27, Free
WEDNESDAY JAN 3
MUSIC–If the band name “Death by Stereo” conjures images of over-dramatic
preteens who listen to too much Marilyn Manson and write bad goth music after
getting jacked on coffee and minithins, you are WRONG! They’re actually gleeful
punk rockers with just the right doses of metal and pop. Smash your head on
the innocence! JS
Paris Theater, 6 SW Third, 224-8313, 9 pm, all ages