Gossip Should Have No Friends

[January 17th, 2007] KITTY LITTER Two years ago, the exotic performance artist known as Meow Meow graced the stages of TBA, including the infamous Mary's Club for a really late night performance. Now, Scoop's heard word that the Euro-babe will land in Portland again the final week of January to rehearse with Pink Martini band leader Thomas Lauderdale and put on a public show at Darcelle's XV on Feb. 1. That's before they both jet off to Sydney, Australia, to perform together in her kamikaze cabaret show "Beyond Glamour" at the Sydney Opera House. For show info, check out brownpapertickets.com.

TEDDY CARES It's not very often we get excited about a marriage of Dark and Gloomy, but Portland's Dark Horse Comics just announced it will distribute new Gloomy Bear products from Japanese artist Mori Chack . For the uninitiated, Gloomy Bear is a 7-foot-tall pink bear that frequently mauls his owner and is designed to be the antithesis of the Hello Kitties of the world. Who's psyched by the acquisition? Shannon Stewart , of Portland's Missing Link Toys . He loves Gloomy Bear, and looks forward to featuring the new line at his new store—he let the dish slip to Scoop that Missing Link will upgrade to a new location on Southeast Hawthorne early this spring.

GOT CHA Proprietors of the local taqueria chain Cha! Cha! Cha! will soon debut "an upscale yet affordable " Mexican eatery. Opening in February in the Star's Antique Mall on Northwest 21st Avenue, "Cha" will seat more than 100 patrons its dining room and bar. While favs like carne asada burritos and pork tacos will show up on the lunch menu, Proprietor Javier Diaz Hurtado's Cha will emphasize regional Mexican cooking: moles from Pueblo, seafood from the YucatÁn and a tequila tasting bar . OlÉ!

POP-A-REELIE Get a tight shot on the handlebars! Last weekend, locals Greg Fredette, Jason Turner and Aaron Douglas began filming the first-ever full-length documentary about P-town's bike scene . The film will explore the social connections and diverse groups within the biking community. One of the top cycling cities in the U.S., Fredette says, "Portland is pretty unique in how it supports cycling" by providing trails and lanes. Fredette and Douglas worked together on Freedom State, an indie film made in Oregon. Turner is a producer for the Outdoor Life Network. The release date ain't set, but Fredette hopes to have the film ready for next winter's festivals.

OOPS! Last week's live-music review of the Children of the Revolution festival omitted the night's central organizer, Kevin Darouian, a.k.a. "333." WW regrets the error.

WEB ONLY SCOOP: CHICK FLICKS Catfights, bitch slaps and pretty princesses take center stage in Portland Opera's just-announced 43rd season. In his fourth year at the company, General Director Christopher Mattaliano has programmed a season of "Great Women of the Stage," featuring mainstage productions of Bizet's Carmen (Sept. 21-29), Rossini's Cinderella starring local mezzo Angela Niederloh (Nov. 2-10), Handel's Rodelinda (Feb. 8-16) and Verdi's Aida (May 9-17).

WHAT YOU MISSED AT WW'S LOCALCUT.COM THIS WEEK DJ Wicked offers a refreshing spin to CD selling tactics. >> Clockwerk gets cocky in New Mexico and Berbati's Pan rogues are readdressed. >> Jason Simms reveals uncut encounters with the accordion-toting, Dumpster-diving Kiss Bank. >> Amy McCullough finds God on the modest stage of the Crystal Ballroom. >> Meanwhile, the babes of Finger Bang City, who boast such intriguing song titles as "Hot 4 Preacher" and "Pussy Go Meow," are awarded Band Name of the Week. >> Plus, free MP3s from Troshink, The Carolines, Michael the Blind and more.