Gossip Should Have No Friends

[October 26th, 2005] PORTLAND ROCK ALL-STARS Although Iron & Wine and Calexico were billed to share the stage at the Roseland Theater last Friday, the indie-folk show turned out to be a showcase of Portlanders. Guitar virtuoso M. Ward joined Iron & Wine's Sam Beam for a breathtaking version of Ward's "Fuel for Fire," while other local indie-celebs such as Janet Weiss (Sleater-Kinney), Rachel Blumberg (Norfolk & Western) and the Shins' James Mercer also popped in. The Roseland was simultaneously packed and silent, except for when one appreciative fan put it perfectly: "Seriously," he yelled, "it is so good."

FIGHT CLUB REDUX Almost 10 years after Fight Club was first published, Stumptown's Chuck Palahniuk has re-released his cult novel with a 10-page afterword. In the new, heavily self-promotional and self-confessional section, he reveals how he wrote the original seven-page short story and chronicles the cultural impact of the subsequent book and movie, from Versace fashions to restaurant reviews headlined "Bite Club." Golly—who would name a food column after a book about fighting?

CHANGE THE STATION Who could possibly match the traffic-numbing power of his majesty Howard Stern? Infinity Broadcasting thinks Adam Carolla is the man. The Man Show and Loveline co-host will be trading beer for coffee and taking over the morning talk spot at Portland KUFO. Carolla has got to be better than the automatronic character "Jack," the glorified music shuffle machine that's slated to replace Stern at three of the nationwide radio chain's other stations. Stern remains on air until Jan. 3, when he makes the jump to satellite radio.

CORRECTION In the photo accompanying last week's culture story about dance teacher Nola Gray's new same-sex tango class, we misidentified Gray's dance partner—not to be confused with a life partner—Lara Triback. WW regrets the error. Also, WW is happy to note that Gray's class is not the only one for queer movers: Out Dancing (975 SE Sandy Blvd., 236-5129, outdancing.info) has offered GLBT dance classes since 1995.