Black Friday Doorbusters!

Shopping since 4 am? Not me. Not today (not ever really). Well. ... okay ... if you feel compelled to shop on this high holy day of consumerism, at least spend some time and money at Music Millennium. So get in an afternoon nap and then head out to consume some live music ...

Besides Storm's Holiday Ordeal, which is sold out at the Aladdin tonight (does Storm Large do anything that doesn't sell out?), there are some great choices ...

The kid is back in town. The talented-beyond-her-years Kate Davis is home from NY for the holiday and playing two shows at Wilf's - both tonight and tomorrow. Catch this rapidly maturing bass player and vocalist while you have a chance ... shows are at 7 and 9:30. And Kate will be performing songs from her just-released CD, A Kate Davis Holiday. Early show seating is almost sold out (you need to call Wilf's to reserve a spot - 503-223-0070), but late show should be available ... $10 plus drink/food minimum.

For early music, check out Lisa & Her Kin for happy hour at the Laurelthirst ... 6 pm, no cover  ... and the Jimmy Boyer Band follows at 9:30.

For those of you to the north (or willing to put in the extra few minutes to drive) Lloyd Jones and band will be at the Cascade in Vancouver  ... 9 pm, $??

The Garcia Birthday Band plans to have folks dancing off yesterday's meal (and today's leftovers) at the White Eagle  ... 9:30 pm, no cover

Michael Hurley and Friends will be at the Press Club ... 8:30 pm, no cover

And, over at The Woods it looks like an excellent show with Seattle's The Starlings. Fronted by vocalist Joy Mills, the band has critical acclaim and a growing fan base. "The Starlings vocal harmonies, acoustic goodness and sweet blend of folk and country set the stage for the band's storied original songwriting and the compelling presence of vocalist Joy Mills.” -KEXP.org ... Whiskey Puppy opens ... 9 pm, $8

Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Just wanted to wish all my music compadres a Happy Thanksgiving  --- enjoy your day whatever your plans!
And at least for today it doesn't need to include getting out to live music ...  :-)

    - Jim

Thanksgiving Eve

Twas' the night before Thanksgiving and over at the Laurelthirst Lewi sez . . .

Since our usual Thursday happy hour is canceled this week due to the Laurelthirst being closed on Thanksgiving, we're hosting a special holiday late show the night before! Isn't it true that almost nobody has to work the next day...?

Opening the show is Quiet Life, a great roots-rock project that just recently relocated from New England to Portland. We're glad to introduce them to our Portland friends, we think you'll like 'em.

Sounds good to me! ... 9:30 pm, $??

You might also consider starting the evening at Little Sue's regular Wednesday happy hour at Biddy McGraw's . . . 6 pm, no cover

Swing Papillon is at the Press Club ... 8:30 pm, no cover

... and the Quick and Easy Boys will rock the Goodfoot ... 9 pm, $??

Not a turkey in sight . . . get out to some live music!

Solid end to the weekend

Want to finish the weekend with an evening of music?

Curtis Salgado and friends (Alan Hagar, Jimi Bott, Paris Slim, John Mazzocco) do one of the coolest monthly house parties that happens in Portland ... 5:30 pm, $12 ... For more information contact Jim Flynn - jimflynn@realtytrust.com

Fine show at Mississippi Studios with Swing Papillon, 3 Leg Torso, and Mark Growden ... 8 pm, $12

 . . . and there's a cool little show that happens most Sundays at O'Connors in Multnomah Village called the "Country Side of Sunday" with Jon Koonce, Thad Beckman, Kurtis Piltz, Bob Love and Jeff Woodcock . . . it's loose and fun  . . . 7:30 pm, $5

Saturday night . . . great choices!

Here's a few you might want to ponder for this evening . . 

Excellent quadruple bill at Mississippi Studios with the Don of Division Street, Celilo, The Very Foundation, and Seattle's The Maldives. The show will also be celebration of the life of Celilo' drummer Kipp Crawford, who died tragically earlier this month. You can read more about it (along with video interviews with members of Celilo) in today's Oregonian. The show is also a record release for The Very Foundation.  . . .  9 pm, $8

Another fine night of music at the Laurelthirst starting with Little Sue at happy hour (6 pm, no cover) and then Mike Coykendall & Golden Shag and The Low Bones for the late show ... 9:30 pm, $5

You'll find the Celtic sounds of Circled By Hounds at Biddy McGraw's ... 9:30, no cover

Pilar French will be at the Alberta Street Public House ... 9:30 pm, $??

Jon Koonce will be at Duff's Garage ... 9:30 pm, $??

Seattle's roots rocking North Twin, a band that was impressive when I saw them open for the Bottle Rockets recently, will be at the Kenton Club ... 9 pm, $??

. . . and for something a little different, it's the monthly Miz Kitty's Parlour Vaudeville Novelty Show & Revusical at the Mission Theatre ... 7 pm, $12

Gotta be something there that compels you to head out tonight!

Last minute for tonight

Distracted, distracted . . . so these are quick picks if you're headed out tonight . . .

Ezra Hollbrook and Friends will be at the Press Club ... 8:30 pm, no cover

Jackstraw at Biddy McGraws ... 9:30 pm, no cover

DK Stewart and the Soul Survivor Horns at Duff's Garage ... 9:30 pm, $?? (probably $5 or $6)

The Doug Fir has Amadan, Sassparilla, and The Beautiful Train Wrecks . . . .  9 pm, $10

and over at The Woods, it's Shoeshine Blue, Winterhaven, and Bark Hide and Horn ... 9 pm, $7

Okay . . . time for some mid-week treats

Some fine shows to check out on Wednesday and Thursday . . .

Wednesday
Little Sue celebrates her birthday tonight at her weekly happy hour show at Biddy McGraw's. Stop by for music, b-day wishes and cupcakes! ... 6 pm, no cover

Fine night of music at the Laurelthist starts with Hillstomp holding down the happy hour slot. Hmmm . . . NE Portland, 6 PM? Alice Stuart has the late show ... 9 pm, no cover

There's a cool little literary/music event tonight at Mississippi Studios. Anyone a fan of Paul McCartney? (I know a few, yes?) . . . It's your lucky day, as the show will celebrate the release of Portland's own (and Oregonian columnist) Peter Ames Carlin's Paul McCartney: A Life. Peter will be there along with a host of Portland's best performing songs of, yes you guessed it, Sir Paul. Nick Jaina, Jim Brunberg, Ashleigh Flynn, Matt Sheehy, Teisha Helgerson, Sneakin' Out, and others will join the celebration ... 8 pm, $7

Thursday
Another fine night at the Laurelthirst starts with the steady Thursday happy hour with Lewi Longmire and band. It will be followed by Tom Waits for No Man: a benefit for Tom Nunes. Tom crashed hard on his bike a while back and, though recovering nicely, has medical expenses to deal with. His friends led by Little Sue have put together a cool little show featuring Sue, Tom, Casey Neill, Lewi Longmire, Chet Lyster, Ezra Holbrook, Stephanie Schneiderman and others. Should be fun and some needed help for Tom ... 9 pm, $10

Speaking of benefits, there's a holiday benefit supporting St. Francis Dining Hall over at the Crystal Ballroom featuring Everclear ... 9 pm, $20

There could be a lot of traffic between the Laurelthirst and the Kennedy School, 'cause the Freak Mountain Ramblers will be performing a free all ages show there at 7 pm.

For something a bit different, the March Fourth Marching Band will be bringing their beautiful chaos to the Wonder Ballroom for two shows at 7 and 10 pm - early show is all ages too . . . march (or dance) forth . . . . $15

Veteran keyboardist and singer Bill Champlin (Sons of Champlin, Chicago) is in town for two shows at Jimmy Mak's . . . 7:30 & 9:30, $20

 . . . and it's just the middle of the week . . .  get out!