Stay safe out there, Portland! As always, get tested and stay home if you feel sick—and get your booster while it's hot.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23
FILM
2001: A Space Odyssey in 70mm
Past Event
Like
List
Stanley Kubrick's megalith of a film, shown here in 70mm, questions the nature of intelligence and consciousness through the story of an astronaut pitted against the malevolent computer on his spaceship.
Hollywood Theatre, Hollywood District ($12)
Nightmare Alley
Past Event
Like
List
If anyone can deliver a freshly twisted reenvisioning of the 1947 classic Nightmare Alley (based on William Lindsay Gresham's scandalous novel), it's Guillermo del Toro. The circus-set noir stars Bradley Cooper as a manipulative, success-driven carny who partners up with an equally manipulative psychiatrist (Cate Blanchett). Joining the leading duo is Willem Dafoe as a sideshow proprietor called Clem, Rooney Mara as a runaway who awes the crowd as Electrified Girl, and Toni Collette as the phony fortune-teller Madam Zeena.
Hollywood Theatre, Hollywood District ($10-$12)
FOOD & DRINK
Festivus
Past Event
Like
List
Celebrate the Seinfeldian holiday "for the rest of us" with Hey Love, which will include all the requisite traditions, including the airing of grievances, feats of strength, and a Festivus pole. The restaurant will serve cheeky themed specials such as "I was in the pool! There was shrinkage!" (a Nathan's famous all-beef kosher wiener, wrapped in an egg roll and fried, with sauerkraut and hot mustard accompaniments) and the "Not That There's Anything Wrong With That" (pastrami fried rice with peas and carrots, served with soy-glazed baby bok choy and a sunny-side-up egg), plus cocktails like the "The Human Fund" (a Peppermint Patty shot).
Hey Love, Buckman (free)
MUSIC
Shadowplay
Past Event
Like
List
Enjoy two dance floors playing a mix of new and old goth, industrial, EBM, and new wave at one of the city's longest-running goth nights.
Coffin Club, Buckman (free)
The Other Place, Nyxora, and Breath
Past Event
Like
List
Local experimental groups The Other Place, Nyxora, and Breath will bring you an evening of dark psych out-of-this-world sounds.
No Fun, Buckman ($8)
Yuckgod, Foreign$, & AD+
Past Event
Like
List
Hungry Hungry Hip-Hop returns with Yuckgod (of Hella Dregs) and supporting act Foreign$ and AD+.
Mississippi Pizza, Boise (free)
WINTER HOLIDAYS
Holidays at the Belle!
Past Event
Like
List
Wander through this newly restored and garland-strewn Victorian mansion like you're the ghost of Christmas past, then step outside to take in festive light displays around the grounds.
The Victorian Belle Mansion, Kenton ($8-$12)
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24
FILM
Black Christmas
Past Event
Like
List
The remake of this 1974 slasher offers a feminist twist as sorority girls get sick of their sisters being stalked and murdered on campus.
Clinton Street Theater, Hosford-Abernethy ($6)
Red Rocket
Past Event
Like
List
If the brilliance of Tangerine (2015) and The Florida Project (2017) is any indication, Sean Baker's latest film—which follows a hustler in a hometown that barely tolerates him—will be one of the best features to cap off the year.
Hollywood Theatre, Hollywood District ($10)
MUSIC
Bar Bar Holiday Disco
Past Event
Like
List
Celebrate Christmas Eve at Bar Bar for their special holiday disco night!
Bar Bar, Boise ($10)
D80s Annual Nightmare Before Christmas Dance Party
Past Event
Like
List
Dance away your holiday stress with the annual Nightmare Before Christmas '80s dance night! Expect to hear underrated new wave bangers and dark '80s classics.
The Lombard Pub, Arbor Lodge (free)
MadgesdiqCEG & The Everyday Mystics
Past Event
Like
List
Enjoy cozy classic covers this Christmas Eve with MadgesdiqCEG & The Everyday Mystics as well as an opening set from Side Moves.
Alberta Street Pub, King ($10)
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 25
MUSIC
Bar Bar Holiday Disco with DJ Orographic
Past Event
Like
List
Join Bar Bar on Christmas Day for another edition of Holiday Disco, this time with DJ Orographic!
Bar Bar, Boise (free)
BLOWPONY Christ-Mess
Past Event
Like
List
Join BLOWPONY for their annual Christ-Mess celebration! Enjoy holiday performances by Diva Dott, Violet Hex, Jo, Phantom X, Glucose Dott Bowery, and Angelica D'vil with a long list of fabulous DJs!
Bossanova Ballroom, Buckman ($13)
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26
FILM
Ninth Annual Screening: Dakota 38
Past Event
Like
List
Portlanders might remember seeing the words "Dakota 38" painted on the podium of Portland's Abraham Lincoln statue during the city's October 2020 protests against anti-BIPOC police violence, which meant to call attention to Lincoln's suppression of the 1862 Dakota Uprising that saw 38 Dakota hanged on the same day. Created "in line with Native healing practices," this film traces the history of the event and its impacts on the present-day Dakota community.
Clinton Street Theater, Hosford-Abernethy (free)
MUSIC
60th Annual Concert-At-Christmas
Past Event
Like
List
Make the holiday weekend last with the Portland Youth Philharmonic's 60th annual Christmas concert with pieces including Edvard Grieg: Arabian Dance from Peer Gynt Suite No. 2, Carlos Chávez: Sinfonia India, and Farhad Poupel: Childhood Memories (World Premiere).
Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Downtown ($10+)
MONDAY, DECEMBER 27
MUSIC
Scott Pemberton O Theory
Past Event
Like
List
Scott Pemberton O Theory, or SPOT, is a Portland-based trio that uniquely blends jazz, blues, and psychedelic rock. Join them for their final night at Alberta Street Pub where they've been playing every Monday of December.
Alberta Street Pub, King (free)
A Space for Black American Music: A Series of Jazz Talks by Darrell Grant
Past Event
Like
List
After a successful first installment in October, the Darrell Grant Quartet's Soul Restoration Project (a residency program meant to "uplift the Black American experience" with invitation-only performances) presents a live discussion series moderated by Grant himself. The events will also include curated video and audio samples "that exemplify the significance of Black American music."
Alberta Arts Salon, Northeast ($8-$15)
PERFORMANCE
Kwanzaa - Black Queer Social featuring Roulette Delgato
Past Event
Like
List
The second night of Kwanzaa brings a Black- and queer-centered dance party featuring Rose City rapper Roulette Delgato and the CDS drag crew.
Eagle, Piedmont (free)
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29
MUSIC
Non-Binary Girlfriend & Folian
Past Event
Like
List
Bliss out to bedroom grooves from the members of Cry Babe that now comprise Non-Binary Girlfriend, plus a little doom-pop from Folian for good measure.
The Six, Sunnyside ($10)
PERFORMANCE
Kwanzaa - Drag Show & Community Celebration
Past Event
Like
List
Learn about the history and traditions of Kwanzaa in the most fun way possible: from a talented pool of Portland drag queens.
CC Slaughters, Old Town-Chinatown ($5)
People Person + Dream House
Past Event
Like
List
Lydia House and Josie Benedetti will debut their solo plays on the same night, starting with Benedetti's interactive People Person (descibed by the organizers as "an honest and absurd reflection of one woman's desperate need and inability to connect with those around her") and closing out with House's Dream House, a "playful exploration of escapism and intergalactic space travel."
Siren Theater, Old Town-Chinatown ($15)
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30
COMEDY
Pussyfoot
Past Event
Like
List
If you're not into going out on New Year's Eve, get your kicks the night before at this stand-up showcase with Sean Jordan, Kirsten Kuppenbender, Milan Patel, Shelley McLendon, Julia Corral, and Belinda Carroll.
Siren Theater, Old Town-Chinatown ($12)
MUSIC
Band Called LoveJoy
Past Event
Like
List
Portland rock duo Band Called LoveJoy, who just released their debut EP High Lonesome, will bring you catchy classic rock-inspired melodies.
Alberta Street Pub, Boise ($7)
ICEBREAKER '21
Past Event
Like
List
The all-ages lineup, sound crew, and audience at this dance night will put your typical end-of-the-year party to shame. Come through to see Roosevelt High School alum Ascxnsion, 11-year-old phenom J Prodigy, up-and-coming MC Sotaé, and others.
Holocene, Buckman ($10-$15)
LUCII
Past Event
Like
List
Be transported to another planet with dubstep producer and DJ Emily Rose, AKA LUCII, who creates unique music that she coined "Space Bass".
45 East, Buckman ($10-$15)
Sweet N' Juicy, Bomba Trio, and Tetsuo's Electric Izakaya
Past Event
Like
List
Sweet N' Juicy are a group known for playing upbeat music inspired by funk and new wave. They do this while wearing fruit shaped costumes, hinting to their name. Also on the lineup are Bomba Trio and Tetsuo's Electric Izakaya.
No Fun, Buckman ($8)
System Sessions 001: Hobi, Spaces, Katahdin, and More!
Past Event
Like
List
System Sessions 001 is a new event series that focuses on showcasing PNW talent with high-fidelity sounds. Anticipate hearing a wide range of electronic music from dubstep to west coast bass. This week will present music from Hobi, Spaces, Katahdin, and glasseye and visuals from Rob Tichinel & Yert Yert.
Mighty Moe's Tanker, Hawthorne (free)
Ten-Speed Music (Duo), Michael Gerard, Kennon Christel, and Domenico Franco
Past Event
Like
List
Ten-Speed Music Duo will bring danceable post-punk joined by locals Kennon Christel, Michael Gerard, and Domenico Franco.
No Fun, Buckman ($8)
Wilclone: A Wilco Tribute Band
Past Event
Like
List
Sing along to your favorite indie-rock hits with Wilclone, Portland's own Wilco cover band! Wilclone will be accompanied by Drunken Angel.
Mississippi Pizza, Boise ($10)
SATURDAY, JANUARY 1
MUSIC
The Druthers
Past Event
Like
List
Join The Druthers for an evening of folk-pop tunes with infectious harmonies.
Alberta Street Pub, King ($10)
It's About Time - The official PDX new years day celebration!
Past Event
Like
List
No matter how you're feeling as 2022 shows itself in, you're invited to "gather," "reflect," and "rejoice" with a wholesome day of music and dancing with local artists like Frida K, Dangerkid, DJ spitfire, Saylinds, and others.
The Big Legrowlski, Pearl District ($5-$15)
Lunch & Soul with Tyrone Hendrix
Past Event
Like
List
Tyrone Hendrix is a Portland-based drummer, composer, and producer who finds inspiration in classic soul favorites such as Prince and Steve Wonder.
Alberta Street Pub, King (free)
Yawa, Kingsley, Kisskadee
Past Event
Like
List
What better way to start the New Year than with a free show? On New Year’s Day, singer/songwriter/producer/performance artist Yawa (FKA Amenta Abioto) will headline a show at Kelly’s Olympian, and hopefully continue her tradition of playing some improvised music for part of her set, as well as soulful tracks like “Wade in the Water,” and the beautifully epic “Revolution.” Pop singer-songwriter Kingsley will help back up the bill, playing songs from her recent project Crying on Holidays, and LA artist Kisskadee is also there offering solid support. JENNI MOORE
Kelly's Olympian, Downtown (free)
Yesterday's Youth with Laundry and Billy & the Kids
Past Event
Like
List
Enjoy this lineup of local Portland rock bands including Yesterday's Youth, Laundry, and Billy and the Kids.
Dante's, Old Town-Chinatown ($8-$10)
SUNDAY, JANUARY 2
MUSIC
Andrew Oliver and His Buddies
Past Event
Like
List
Portland-based pianist Andrew Oliver will be playing old-style jazz with a rotating group of musicians.
Alberta Street Pub, King ($10)
The Catnip Brothers
Past Event
Like
List
Enjoy an afternoon of roots and country music with The Catnip Brothers.
Alberta Street Pub, King ($10)
Ed Haynes at Artichoke Cafe
Past Event
Like
List
Singer-songwriter Ed Haynes is back bringing songs and stories to Artichoke Cafe.
Artichoke Music, Richmond ($10)
Honey-D and Dead Steady Sound
Past Event
Like
List
DJs Honey-D and Dead Steady Sound will bring you an evening of deep dub and punky reggae!
No Fun, Buckman (free)
PERFORMANCE
The Witching Hour Drag Show
Past Event
Like
List
Portland drag queens Honey Hart and Nikki Ontolodge Monet will reveal their darkest spells for all the witches out there.
Mississippi Pizza, Boise ($10)
MULTI-DAY
FILM
The Big Lebowski
Past Event
Like
List
It's a Cohen Brothers cult classic about a dude and his bowling alley. And his robe. And his affinity for White Russians.
Clinton Street Theater, Hosford-Abernethy ($10-$12)
(Through Sun Dec 26)
Licorice Pizza in 70mm
Past Event
Like
List
It's 1973 in the San Fernando Valley when cocky teen actor Gary Valentine (Philip Seymour Hoffman's son Cooper) and Alana Kane (first-time actor Alana Haim... from HAIM) cross paths at a photoshoot for child stars, where Kane, ambling in her 20s, earns a living. Valentine lays on his corny-yet-charming courtship tactics despite their age difference, and thus ensues Paul Thomas Anderson's latest film: a tale of first love dotted with absurd adventures (including a scene where Kane drives a gasless stick-shift down a winding hill to escape the wrath of Barbra Streisand's unhinged boyfriend). This 70mm screening will take the '70s vibe to the next level.
Hollywood Theatre, Hollywood District ($15)
(Dec 24-30)
SHOPPING
Alberta Street Gallery Holiday Gift Show
Past Event
Like
List
Thirty local artists will sell their fresh slate of ceramics, paintings, photography, fabric art, woodwork, and more for your art-loving gift recipients.
Alberta Street Gallery, Concordia (free)
(Through Fri Dec 24)
MESO Market
Past Event
Like
List
Hosted by nonprofit Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon, this market will showcase 14 BIPOC entrepreneurs and is open all season long for your shopping convenience. There will also be food vendors and live entertainment.
1237 NE Alberta St. (free)
(Through Fri Dec 24)
A Vintage Christmas Show 2021
Past Event
Like
List
Charm the socks off your gift recipients or housemates by picking up antique Christmas bits and baubles.
Monticello Antique Marketplace, Montavilla (free)
(Through Jan 2)
VISUAL ART
Indigenous Art Exhibit
Past Event
Like
List
Portland Indigenous Marketplace has partnered with the Architectural Heritage Center for this continually evolving exhibit celebrating the indigenous community. Featured work by indigenous artists include a wood carving of a Mayan goddess by Astrid Furstner and an oil on canvas diptych by a.c.ramírez de arellaño.
Architectural Heritage Center, Buckman (free)
(Through Fri Dec 24)
WATER:NFS | Natalie Ball with collaborator Annelia Hillman pue‑leek‑la’
Past Event
Like
List
As the first exhibition in Oregon Contemporary's new large-scale program Site, this show will replace the gallery's 2021 Biennial. It's a collaboration between Natalie Ball (a Betty Bowen Award winner who makes sculptures out of found objects, cloth, and other unusual materials, refashioning perceptions of Native American history) and Annelia Hillman pue-leek-la', who have created a space that highlights water wars, drought, and land rights across Oregon and California.
Oregon Contemporary, Kenton (free)
(Through Jan 2)
WINTER HOLIDAYS
The Benson Hotel's 50th Annual Gingerbread Display
Past Event
Like
List
For 50 years running, the historic hotel has baked and constructed a gingerbread showstopper that could earn a handshake from Paul Hollywood. The theme for this year's four-foot by eight-foot masterpiece is "Polar Express" and comes complete with a working toy train.
The Benson, Downtown (free)
(Through Sun Dec 26)
Clackamas County Winter Fair
Past Event
Like
List
Escape from reality and into a brief quarter-mile wonderland in the form of a walk-through sparkly light tunnel. Visits from socially distanced Santa and a Christmas tree show will sweeten the deal.
Clackamas County Fairgrounds, Canby ($15)
(Through Fri Dec 24)
Pittock Mansion Christmas: Critters Make Merry
Past Event
Like
List
The historic mansion's annual Christmas display will turn to the whimsical creatures of the season this year, transforming its many rooms into havens for reindeer, polar bears, lions, and cute little mice.
Pittock Mansion, Northwest ($13)
(Through Tues Jan 4)