[November 21st, 2007]

You have no family. You hate your friends. But you don’t have to sit at home in the dark on Thanksgiving Day. Here’s a slate of activities for Thursday, Nov. 22, all inviting minimal risk of interacting with people you know. (If we run into you, we’ll avert our eyes and pretend to be strangers.)

FRIDAY NOV 23

[SMACKDOWN] PUPPETZ VS. PEOPLE

ComedySportz is usually a little high on the cheeseometer for our taste, but this weekend we’re showing up to see them get their family-friendly improv fannies kicked by a bunch of badass puppeteers from Tears of Joy Theatre. The puppets always win. The Winningstad Theatre, 1111 SW Broadway, 248-0557. 8 pm Friday-Saturday. $16, $13 kids.

[HIP-HOP, DAMMIT] BUSDRIVER

There’s a small, vocal lobby that insists Busdriver isn’t hip-hop. The lack of steady, dependable beats and the MC’s frequent departures into avant-garde free-association mean that this cat isn’t the real thing. That’s cupcakes, yo: Busdriver may not make 4/4 beats to please the masses, but he’s an agile, inventive lyricist that’s redefining the genre with each new release. Your kids are gonna love it. Holocene. 9 pm. $8. 21+.

SATURDAY NOV 24

[MUSIC] MENOMENA

If there is anything more musically awesome going on in the world than the victorious peaks and grim valleys of Menomena’s most recent release, Friend and Foe , we haven’t heard it. This band just gets better with time, as the exquisite musicianship and oft-puzzling lyrics come more clearly into focus with each listen. And there’s saxophone! Glorious saxophone! Crystal Ballroom. 9 pm. $12 advance, $15 day of show. All ages. See review.

[MUSIC] OHIOAN & NATIVE KIN

Ohioan & Native Kin is blowing the WW music section’s mind right now. They are helping to define an increasingly popular Portland sound—lots of kids getting together and making tons of noise—yet still manage to sound like nothing we’ve heard before. Earthy, epic and gospel-influenced (with what looks to be a three-piece horn section), this is a group we’re really excited to finally check out live. The Artistery. 8 pm. $6. All ages.

SUNDAY NOV. 25

[DRINK] THANKSGIVING WINE WEEKEND

Willamette Valley wineries and vineyards—even many appointment-only outfits—throw open their doors to local winos for cheap bottle deals and special tastings. Highway 99W gridlock and purple-lipped revelry ensues. See page 33 for more info. Visit willamettewines.com for a list of participating wineries and directions. Most wineries open 11 am-5 pm Friday-Sunday, Nov. 23-35. Tasting prices vary.

TUESDAY NOV. 27

[WORDS] VOICECATCHER

Local women write, Portland listens. Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W Burnside St., 228-4651. 7:30 pm. Free.