Friday, December 5, 2014

Holiday music Portland style and some weekend picks

December in Portland means holiday music to satisfy everyone from Christmas traditionalists to ironic hipsters (some of whom are closet traditionalists). So to warm your season, here's a few to check out:

The Alberta Rose Theatre feels like holiday central this season with an expanded schedule for the White Album Christmas circus spectacular show. (If you've never seen this, you should check it out!) Their December schedule also includes the Magical Strings Celtic Yuletide Concert, Darol Anger's 2nd Annual Keepin'-It-In-The-Fam Holiday Show, Wanderlust presents A Circus Carol with 3 Leg Torso (multiple performances), and The Bobs After Christmas Holiday Show. A very merry month indeed!

The Aladdin has two sold out shows this weekend - the Portland Cello Project Holiday Spectacular with special guest Ural Thomas & the Pain. Also on the schedule next week is A John Waters Christmas (though also sold out), and then five performances of the longtime tradition, Holidays With the Trail Band.

At the Secret Society this weekend there's three performances of Canadian artist Jane Siberry's Holiday Hoes and Hosers with special guests (including K.D. Lang on Saturday!). And, on Dec. 21 it's Ashleigh Flynn & The Low Arc of the Sun Orchestra doing a solstice celebration.

The Doug Fir does a Rock for a Reason Holiday Toy Drive with a variety of performers on Dec. 14.

Tony Starlight's Showroom has two special holiday shows ... tonight it's a holiday tribute to Dean Martin's TV show (yes, really), and next weekend, It's a Tony Starlight Christmas.

I know there's more and I'll try to mention them in subsequent posts between now and Christmas (when I'll refrain from posting for a couple of weeks).

What else this weekend (of the non-holiday type?) ... here's a few.

Friday
The fabulous guitar/songwriting duo of Mary Flower and Thad Beckman will pack a crowd into O'Connor's in Multnomah Village tonight. It's great to welcome Thad back for a short visit Portland (having moved to Denver last summer) and very special when he and Mary have a chance to play together ... 8 pm, $10
Thad will be part of the Country Side of Sunday at O'Connor's on Sunday night, too.

Sabroso (formerly Toque Libre) is at Vie de Boheme ... 9 pm, $8-12

Lisa Mann and Her Really Great Band are at the Blue Diamond ... 9 pm, $??

Saturday
Catch Lauren Sheehan at the Muddy Rudder ... 8 pm, no cover

There'll be a very funky tribute to seminal New Orleans funk band, The Meters, at The Goodfoot ...  9 pm, $7

Dance up a storm with Soul Vaccination at Duff's ... 9 pm, $??


2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Also, tonight at Mississippi Studios at 9pm, John Craigie & The Shook Twins. If you're a fan of Todd Snider you will love John Craigie (especially his song "I Almost Stole Weed from Todd Snider"). The Shook Twins are billed as a "Local folk group known for their gorgeous harmonies and range of musical instruments". Beyond that they are simply FUN.

Anonymous said...

Also on Saturday night at Montavilla Station (417 SE 80th Ave., Portland OR 97215), filling in for Ben Rice who is lost in Cali. Rich Layton & The Troublemakers.
No Cvr