While you might be inclined to take this upcoming weekend as a chance to rest up before the worldwide party that is New Year's begins in earnest, this weekend has other plans. Lots of other plans, starting with world-famous (and world-changing) comedians coming to town, world-famous (and world-changing) off-Broadway behemoths tearing down the Ellyn Bye like the Berlin Wall, Demigods, Dirty Princesses, and much more. Hit the links below and load your plate accordingly.

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Jump to: Friday | Saturday | Sunday

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Friday, Dec 27

Orquestra Pacifico Tropical, Tribe Mars, Tres Leches, DJ Timothy Bee Past Event Like List
Led by drummer Papi Fimbres (Portland’s busiest musician), Orquestra Pacifico Tropical (OPT) includes members of Máscaras, Dreckig, Bitch’n, And And And, Eagle Sun King, Point Juncture WA, Modernstate, Jippedo, and Quiet Countries. Last year the 11-piece band released El Tren to positive reception. Having become famous (at least locally) for their lively performances that get everybody on their feet, OPT is now one of the hottest tickets in town. Also on the bill is soul/hip-hop fusion band Tribe Mars, whose sizeable lineup includes an MC, three vocalists, a drummer, keyboardist, guitarist, bassist, and a saxophonist. The group came into their own with the addition of vocalist Vaughn Kimmons and Andre Burgos on keys, and are now one of the town’s greatest treasures. Their impressive self-titled debut from 2018 plays around at the intersection of psychedelic soul, hip-hop, and jazz. Songs like the subdued “Sun Raisin,” or the funkified “Best Fishes” are just two highlights from the band’s beautifully complex catalog. (Fri Dec 27, 9 pm, Mississippi Studios,$12-15)

A Very Liberace & Liza Christmas Past Event Like List
Jillian Snow Harris appeared at the end of a recent production, as a sequined deus ex machina—a telekinetic Liza Minnelli. She used her ESP to lift fallen furniture off Portland’s premiere drag clown Carla Rossi, sang “Cabaret,” and landed a few exceptional quips. And I realized: Oh, I like Liza Minnelli impersonations! Now I’m HUNGRY for more! The Liberace & Liza Christmas show (with David Saffert as Liberace) promises sing-a-longs, glam costumes, and glittering, witty asides and sounds like exactly the thing to keep my energy jazzy into the New Year (Dec 27-29, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2 pm, CoHo Theater, $25) SUZETTE SMITH

Kai Wachi Past Event Like List
Boise-hailing DJ and producer Kai Wachi brings the "Demigod" Tour to Portland to rattle the Roseland with his dynamic blend of dubstep, electro, and trap. (Fri Dec 27, 7 pm, Roseland, $18-25)

The Emo Night Tour Past Event Like List
The Emo Night DJs hit the Hawthorne Theatre for the Portland stop on a North American tour, serving up an array of songs from genre heavy hitters like Taking Back Sunday, Fall Out Boy, Panic! At The Disco, My Chemical Romance, and more. (Fri Dec 27, 7 pm, Hawthorne Theatre, $12-15)

She Wants Revenge, The Guidance Past Event Like List
She Wants Revenge never quite achieved the resonating lyrics of Interpol or the catchy melodies of the Killers, but even in their failings, the SoCal band’s attempts at nouveau goth are endearing, especially on the dark and driving hit “Tear You Apart.” Throughout their discography, they rip off contemporaries and play up genre tropes—moody synth, heavy bass lines, and innuendo-laden lyrics. Waving a She Wants Revenge flag definitely won’t get you much cred, but what they lack in originality, they make up for in talent. (Fri Dec 27, 9 pm, Doug Fir, $25-30) EMMA BURKE

The Fab Four Past Event Like List
The Emmy Award-winning tribute comes to Portland to celebrate the Beatles' entire catalogue, with note-for-note renditions of their classic songs, costume changes to match their look to each era, and carefully groomed mop tops that will make it seem like you're watching the real thing. (Fri Dec 27, 7:30 pm, Newmark Theatre, $35-55)

Shadowlands, Miss Rayon, Phantom Family Past Event Like List
As Portland continues to transform into a wasteland of sparkly high-rises, it’s comforting to know there are still a few dark corners left where mutants gather to perform black-clad musical rituals. Shadowlands deftly navigates the new wave and post-punk undergrounds of yore to create something equally compelling. (Fri Dec 27, 9 pm, High Water Mark, $10)

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Saturday, Dec 28

John Oliver Past Event Like List
John Oliver’s absurdly clever, sociopolitical commentary hilariously delivered in that exceedingly British accent is one of the only ways I can stomach the news in my downtime. (And might I add: Oliver was an exceptional choice to play Zazu in the 2019 Lion King remake.) I’ve long known that we Portland left-wingers love us some John Oliver, but our love for the comedian/host is even greater than I thought: By popular demand, they’ve added “a fourth and final show” for Oliver’s stop at the Keller this weekend, which finds him returning to his first love of stand-up. While basically nothing can get me out of my sweatpants in the days directly leading up to and following Christmas, this just might. (Sat-Sun Dec 28-29, 7:30 pm & 9:30 pm, Keller Auditorium, $65-95) JENNI MOORE

Hedwig and the Angry Inch
The Off-Broadway musical that became a hit independent film that became a massive Broadway smash returns to Portland in its original recipe form, transforming the Ellyn Bye Studio into a dingy, cozy, troubled-yet-welcoming womb by which the dynamo that is Hedwig will be born and the Origin of Love will be delivered. (Sat-Sun Dec 28-29, 2:30 pm, & 7:30 pm, Ellyn Bye Studio at the Armory, $25 & Up)

Disowned Past Event Like List
To celebrate the season of forced family cheer, Portland comics are telling jokes about their family members—while their family members’ real-time reactions are projected behind them on stage. Delightful! Guests include Miss Maddie, Vee Chattie, Lacy Day, and Emma Pace Jonas. Stick around after the sets for a Q&A with host Jenna Vesper and featured family members. (Sat Dec 28, 7:30 pm, Kickstand Comedy Space, $10) ALEX ZIELINSKI

Portland Trail Blazers vs. Los Angeles Lakers Past Event Like List
New Year's Eve festivities are just around the corner, but you can bet the Blazers will be the hottest ticket in town when then welcome LeBron and the Lakers back to the Moda Center for a Saturday night match-up. Putting all the franchise history and bad blood aside, you’ve got top talent from the legendary 2003 NBA draft pool squaring off, with LeBron James looking to write yet another chapter in his legendary career and Carmelo Anthony fighting for a graceful ending. Scoring secondhand tickets won’t be cheap but saving some money and chanting “Beat LA” at the ESPN feed at your local bar isn’t a bad alternative. (Sat Dec 28, 7 pm, Moda Center, $135 & Up, all ages) CHIPP TERWILLIGER

Meow Meow Past Event Like List
Acclaimed Australian-born actress, dancer, and cabaret performer Melissa Madden Gray (AKA Meow Meow) swings through the Newmark to bring 2019 to a close with a night full of laughter, song, and dance. (Sat Dec 28, 7:30 pm, Newmark Theatre, $45-65)

Sweeeeet Christmastime Past Event Like List
There are other tributes to Neil Diamond out there, but nobody does them with the showmanship and flair that Tony Starlight's been doing it for over 20 years, and they certainly don't tailor that show specifically to Christmas the way Tony and company can. I mean, can you think of a Neil Diamond tribute that incorporates simulated figure skating into the repertoire? (Sat Dec 28, 8 pm, The Tony Starlight Showroom, $30-75)

Tango Alpha Tango, Dead Men Talking Past Event Like List
Nathan Trueb's knack for capturing the grit of dirty desert blues is infectious and fun, full of clichéd rock 'n' roll lyrics about getting high and lusting after women, and comes teeming with an arsenal of back-porch riffs and driving rhythms. (Sat Dec 28, 9 pm, Mississippi Studios, $12-14)

Jolabokaflod PDX 2019 Past Event Like List
Has there ever been a holiday so perfectly suited to Portland than Jolabokaflod? And why has it taken so long for it to come here? Well, let's not fret over lost time, and instead put our energy into celebrating the Icelandic tradition of giving each other books and then reading them while guzzling hot chocolate all night. That's what Jolabokaflod is, by the way. It's that. It's good. (Sat Dec 28, 2:30 pm, Nordia House, free, all ages)

Comedy at the Gap Past Event Like List
Broken Zipper looks to close out 2019 with a big triple serving of quality comedy courtesy stand-ups Gabriel Rutledge, Chris Johnson, and Amanda Arnold. (Sat Dec 28, 7 pm, Buffalo Gap, $10-15)

Horse the Band Past Event Like List
The California quartet known for blending chiptune and video game-influenced music with pummeling metalcore hits the Star Theater stage as part of the Portland stop on their latest North American tour.  (Sat Dec 28, 8:30 pm, Star Theater, $20)

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Sunday, Dec 29

Dirty Princess, Time Rift, the Sadists Past Event Like List
After a local publication compared Portland rockers Dirty Princess to the Sanderson Sisters, I knew it was in my best interest to check them out. They’ve only got a handful of singles out, but their daring and righteous blend of fuzz-and-glam punk from Girl Fest 2019. It’s the right kind of protest music: witchy, feminist, and completely necessary for our current era. (Sun Dec 29, 8 pm, Mississippi Studios, $5) JENNI MOORE

Grand Style Orchestra Past Event Like List
The Grand Style Orchestra cram their way back into Turn! Turn! Turn! to wind down 2019 with an intimate evening of easy-going jazz. (Sun Dec 29, 8 pm, Turn! Turn! Turn!)

Do Right Sunday Past Event Like List
A monthly showcase from two of Portland's best DJs, Black Daria and Shi Shi, making you shake your ass while also raising funds for the community. (Sun Dec 29, 9 pm, Dig a Pony, free)

Jerry Joseph & The Jackmormons Past Event Like List
Through innumerable hardships and struggles, Joseph has remained a steady fixture in the local rock scene for more than three decades, and, even after being inducted into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame in 2015, doesn't appear to be slowing down one bit. So why should you? (Sun Dec 29, 9 pm, Star Theater, $20-60) SANTI ELIJAH HOLLEY

Die Hard: The Musical Parody Past Event Like List
Andy Barrett and the musically-minded comedy crew at the Funhouse set their sights on a modern-day Christmas classic, with 15 original songs helping reinterpret the adventures of John McClane. (Sun Dec 29, 2 pm, Funhouse Lounge, $20-25)

Don't forget to check out our Things To Do calendar for even more things to do!