[January 16th, 2008]

Move over, pirates and ninjas: The Portland Oregon Visitor’s Association and the Rose Quarter have begun trumpeting Mayor Tom Potter’s declaration of 2008 as the Year of the Dinosaur. Obvious ironies aside, we wondered, what does that even mean? Turns out it’s a full calendar of dinosaur exhibitions, says POVA cultural tourism manager Laurie Waissman, along with “dinosaur sculptures all around town.”

The lizards start bringing the thunder this week at the Rose Garden, where Walking with Dinosaurs: The Live Experience presents a 45-foot tall animatronic Brachiosaurus puppet (we hope it will finish the show by destroying the visitors’ locker room). Then there’s the Dinosaurs: China’s Ancient Giants fossil exhibit at OMSI in February, a feathered-dinosaur exhibit at the Classical Chinese Garden starting in March, more animatronics at the Oregon Zoo in May, and—our personal favorite—Plants of the Pre-Historic World at the Hoyt Arboretum in June. The full swath of events can be found at travelportland.com/dinos.

Meanwhile, Potter didn’t return phone calls asking what his favorite dinosaur is, but we’re guessing the Tyrannosaurus rex: It has short, ineffective arms, it’s irrelevant after the Cretaceous period, and it has a propensity to roar loudly and stomp out of the room. Paleontologists remain uncertain where it stood on renaming North Interstate Avenue.

WEDNESDAY JAN. 16

[MUSIC] NEW YORK RIFLES, THE LONELY H, MY FELLOW TRAVELLER

Barely out of high school, the five youngsters in the Lonely H are years from drinking legally, but that won’t stop them from bringing a little classic rock to our indie-lovin’ city. Think Kings of Leon before it discovered stadiums. Ash Street. 9:30 pm. $5. 21+. See music listings.

THURSDAY JAN. 17

[MUSIC] JEREMY ENIGK, BRYAN FREE&THE DOXYHAUNTS

It took former Sunny Day Real Estate frontman Jeremy Enigk 10 years to release his second solo record. Luckily, he doesn’t take quite that long between tours. Dante’s. 9:30 pm. $5. 21+. See Music Listings.

[MUSIC] DOUBLE DOUBLE VIDEO VIDEO PREMIERE PREMIERE: THE SHAKY HANDS, SWAN ISLAND

Two of the city’s best bands premiere new videos for free (free!), play live sets and spin a few favorite records in-between. Yes, this is a free Shaky Hands show. And you were doing something else with your Thursday night? Holocene. 9 pm. Free. 21+. See Music Listings.

FRIDAY JAN. 18

[COMEDY] ASL COMEDY NIGHT

Deaf and hearing comedians trot out their finest American Sign Language routines for the eighth and final edition of the ASL comedy series. Voice interpreters will be on hand for the ASL-impaired. Embers, 110 NW Broadway, 222-3082. 7 pm Friday-Saturday. $5.

[SCREEN] CLOVERFIELD

J.J. Abrams reveals the giant monster he’s created to stomp New York. No one knows what it looks like—but we’re hoping it’s a giant Daniel Day-Lewis, drinking your milkshake. Area theaters. See review.

SATURDAY JAN. 19

[MUSIC] KAITLYN NI DONOVAN, THE LOVE MENU WITH EMILY KATZ

Kaitlyn ni Donovan likely has origins beyond this planet and time. How else can one explain that otherworldly siren song of hers? Press Club. 8:30 pm. Free. All ages. See Music Listings.

TUESDAY JAN. 22

[RIGHTS] ROE V. WADE 35

Local crooners including Sarah Dougher and Ashleigh Flynn sing out with Planned Parenthood in honor of the 35th anniversary of the day the Supremes said yes to abortion rights. Northstar Ballroom, 635 N Killingsworth Court. 5:30-10 pm. $10 donation. All ages.