All dressed up and no place to go?
Thursday, Jan. 30
“Sparkle Her”
Medusa Tattoo & Gallery
420 S.W. Washington, Ste 202
503-288-1959
7 p.m.
FREE
All ages
This is the closing reception showing of 35 new paintings by Ernest Truly. Bitter Sweet will provide refreshments. It’s in a tattoo parlor!
“I Think About Life”
Bump In The Road Theatre, Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center
5340 N. Interstate Ave.
503-750-1439
Through Feb. 8
8 p.m.
$12-$15 general ad.
All ages
Four playwrights, 20 scenes, seven actors. This play came about when the writers heard the stories of 50 people from all walks of life tell their story.
Drive-By Truckers
Lola’s Room
1332 W. Burnside, 2nd floor
503-225-0047
9 p.m.
$15 general ad.
21+
www.danceonair.com
These southern rockers will be gracing Portland to promote their new double album, Southern Rock Opera. Sound: kind of like Lynyrd Skynyrd.
“Child Of Pleasure”
CoHo Productions
2257 Raleigh
503-220-2646
Through March 1
8 p.m.
$16-$18 general ad.
www.cohoproductions.org
The story of Ninon De L’Enclos, a 17th century writer, is brought to life by Portland playwright William S. Gregory.
Friday, Jan. 31
Atma
PSU
Smith Memorial Center
Noon
FREE
All ages
www.atmagroove.org
Brought to you by the Popular Music Board, Atma comes from Seattle to play while you eat. They play a mix of breakbeats, soul jazz and Brazilian rhythms.
“The Langston Hughes Project”
The Old Church
1422 S.W. 11th
503-275-8352
Through Feb. 9
8 p.m.
$5 student$10 general ad.
All ages
Performed by Flooney’s Theater Company, this performance marks the 100th anniversary of poet Hughes’ birth. Go, you need some culture.
Dolomites, Captain Bogg & Salty
Dante’s
1 S.W. Third
503-226-6630
10 p.m.
$8 general ad.
21+
www.danteslive.com
Last chance to see the Dolomites! They are promoting new album The Medicine Show LP with Portland’s favorite pirate band.
Sleater-Kinney, Quasi, Thanksgiving
Crystal Ballroom
1332 W. Burnside
503-225-0047
Also playing Saturday
9 p.m.
$10 general ad.
All ages
www.danceonair.com
Sleater-Kinney is back! You’ve heard so much about them (or have seen the name everywhere) that you simply must go see them.
Division of Laura Lee, The Catheters, Burning Brides, The Out Crowd
Satyricon
125 N.W. Sixth
503-243-2380
9:30 p.m.
$10 advance general ad.
21+
www.thrasherpresents.com
Yay! Another band from Sweden! I’m going just to hear them talk between songs. Well, Rolling Stone likes ’em.
Saturday, Feb. 1
“In Search of Quieter Truths”
Reed College
Kaul Auditorium
503-721-0262
8 p.m.
$10 student
$18 general ad.
All ages
www.feedyourears.com
The David York Ensemble will play Arvo P퀌_rt, Samuel Barber, Sergei Rachmaninoff and Robert Kyr. This will have already started when you enter, and will proceed until you are gone. *Highly recommended*
Spectacular Gypsy BellyJam Revue!
Fez Ballroom
316 S.W. 11th, 3rd floor
503-226-4171
7:30 p.m.
$10 general ad.
21+
www.jambase.com
3 Leg Torso and Gypsy Caravan will play, surrounded by belly dancing (participatory, or course) and lots of crazy instruments.
Beethoven’s 8th Symphony
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
1037 S.W. Broadway
503-796-9293
Through Feb. 3
7:30 p.m.
$16-$72 general ad.
All ages
Just as good, if not better, than his first and seventh symphonies, Beethoven’s masterpiece will be conducted by guest Paolo Carignani.
Toshi Region, Nicole Campbell
Dante’s
1 S.W. Third
503-226-6630
9 p.m.
$13 general ad.
21+
www.danteslive.com
Region has played with everyone from Elvis Costello to Chaka Khan to Lisa Loeb, and she opened for Lenny Kravitz on his first world tour. Whew!
Sunday, Feb. 2
Reeltime Travelers, Higher Ground
Lola’s Room
1332 W. Burnside, 2nd floor
503-225-0047
9 p.m.
$10 general ad.
21+
www.reeltimetravelers.com
The Travelers play old-time American music like the string bands of Southern Appalachia. If you know what that sounds like, go listen and report back.
Monday, Feb. 3
Nuclear Assault, Origin, All That Remains
Ash Street Saloon
225 S.W. Ash
503-226-0430
8:30 p.m.
$13.50 general ad.
21+
www.thrasherpresents.com
MORE THRASH METAL! Well, Nuclear Assault is working on their first new album in 10 years, so at least they’re seasoned.
Tuesday, Feb. 4
Poetry Downtown
Wieden, Kennedy Atrium
224 N.W. 13th
503-227-2583
7:30 p.m.
$12 student
$18 general ad.
All ages
Pulitzer Prize-winner James Tate will be the first reader for Poetry Downtown’s third season of poetry readings.
Ellen Bass
Broadway Books
1714 N.E. Broadway
503-284-1726
7 p.m.
FREE
All ages
Then again, you could go listen to Bass read her poetry instead of Tate. It’s all up to you.
Puppetry of the Penis
Aladdin Theater
3017 S.E. Milwaukie
503-233-1994
Through Feb. 7
7 p.m.
$35 general ad.
All ages
www.aladdin-theater.com
This is exactly what the name implies. You will see two real, naked penises moving. This is not for those with fear of genitals.
Roseland Theatre
8 N.W. Sixth
503-224-2038
$22 general ad.
All ages
www.doubletee.com
The infamous ICP will be disturbing Portlandites with their slimy face paint and equally slimy lyrics. But if you like that sort of thing …
-J. Nikole Degan