[January 23rd, 2008]

With all the hysteria surrounding the mayoral and presidential elections, it’s easy to neglect another pressing decision on the minds of Portlanders in 2008: Which Matador should I drink at tonight? The original Matador on West Burnside has been a Portland dive institution since the early 1970s. But how does it measure up to Casa del Matador , an upscale, Seattle-owned tequila bar that opened on Northwest 23rd Avenue in late December within stumbling distance of the original? “We were OK with them registering as Casa del Matador,” says Matador co-owner Rebecca Wolfe, “but their sign has little brass letters that say ‘Casa del’ and then ‘Matador’ in big, lit-up letters, which has generated a lot of confusion.” We matched up the bars in a head-to-head bullfight to see who most deserved to bear this proud name. Will it be the scrappy local favorite or the more refined newcomer from up north? JOE JATCKO.

WEDNESDAY JAN. 23

[DANCE] TANGO FIRE

Witness the dance of sharp attacks, elongated slides and Velcro-close partnering—which has less to do with smoldering lust than with the lack of real estate afforded by the cramped red-light bars in Buenos Aires, where tango originated. Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway, 248-4335. 8 pm. $20-$55.

FRIDAY JAN. 25

[WORDS] TRIPLE DARE

Reading Frenzy and IPRC present author Vendela Vida, filmmakers Jenny Shainin and Randy Walker, and folkstress Shelley Short. And there will be dares involved. Someday Lounge, 125 NW 5th Ave., 248-1030. 8 pm. $8. All ages. See the article.

[SCREEN] PERSEPOLIS

Marjane Satrapi’s adapation of her graphic-novel memoir is the sweetest, most uplifting cartoon you’ll ever see about the Iran-Iraq war. Plus God shows up, and he looks…nothing like the Cloverfield monster, sadly. Fox Tower, 846 SW Park Ave., 326-3264. $7-$10. See review.

SATURDAY JAN. 26

[PARTY] NUCLEAR WINTER FORMAL

The best remedy for radiation poisoning is excessive consumption of alcohol, followed by sporadic bursts of dancing. Someday Lounge, 125 NW 5th Ave., 708-0851. 8 pm. $5-$10 sliding scale. 21+.

[SPORTS] ROLLER DERBY

The Rose City Rollers begin the 2008 season with the promise of more out-of-town teams to topple. First up: 2007 season champs the Break Neck Betties against Seattle’s Rat City Rollergirls. Portland Expo Center, 2060 N Marine Drive, 1-800-992-8499. 6 pm. $16-$26.

SUNDAY JAN. 27

[MUSIC] PORTLAND LOUNGE SERIES

LocalCut’s monthly interview-’n’-show series hasn’t been this noisy for quite a while. Expect stuff that sounds like chainsaws and faulty machinery—and we mean that in the best possible way. Towne Lounge, 714 SW 20th Place, 241-8696. 9 pm. Free. 21+.

MONDAY JAN. 28

[MUSIC] LIARS, NO AGE

Come for No Age, Cali’s new hot-shit high-energy export. Stay for the creepy post-punk of Liars, whose percussion-heavy fast fuzz has been the talk of the blogs goin’ on half a decade now. Wonder Ballroom. 128 NE Russell St., 284-8686. 8 pm. $12. All ages.

TUESDAY JAN. 29

[GAMING] ROCK BAND NIGHT

Take to the stage for live team gaming and rock out under the bright lights. Ground Kontrol, 511 NW Couch St., 796-9364. 9 pm. 21+.