Wednesday December 19top

Baleine, Lefthandmonkeywrench

Ash Street Saloon, 225 SW Ash St., 226-0430. Map

Neftali Rivera (7 pm)

Bar Mestizo at Andina, 1314 NW Glisan St., 228-9535. All ages. Map

Neil Masson Trio

Benson Hotel, 309 SW Broadway., 228-2000. All ages. Map

Jon Garcia Band; Songwriters in the Round: Jon Garcia, Ali Wesley, Leigh Marble, Zach Boyle, Whit Walker

[SINGER-SONGWRITER] First off, a collection of local songcrafters—later-night headliner Jon Garcia, folk-pop charmer Ali Wesley (Super XX Man), affecting folk-rocker Leigh Marble, soft crooner Zach Boyle (A Weather) and Happy Inside's blues-folkster Whit Walker—mixes it up songwriters-in-the-round style. Then, like the ménage-à-trois love child of a space alien, Elliott Smith and a less weird Antony and the Johnsons, Garcia and his backing band of tripled vocals, distorted guitar and flowery flute solos create a scenery of sounds. It flows like the whimsical soundtrack to the life of a Magic: The Gathering geek-turned-hipster who woos a Renaissance Faire maiden using only his trusty lute and a bag of weed. Enchanted? Exactly. Come, listen, and then you and your lover can ride off into the sunset on a unicorn. And, scene! ANNIE BETHANCOURT. 9 pm. Also see Saturday listing. Berbati's Pan, 231 SW Ankeny St., 248-4579. $3. 21+. Map

Bob Soper

Biddy McGraw's, 6000 NE Glisan St., 233-1178. Map

Sean Wagner

Buffalo Gap Saloon, 6835 SW Macadam Ave., 244-7111. All ages. Map

Psychaos!: Apollo's Lute DJs

Chaos Cafe & Parlor, 2620 SE Powell Blvd., 546-8112. All ages. Map

Circled by Hounds

County Cork, 1329 NE Fremont St., 284-4805. Map

Xotica-Go-Go: DJs Kenoy & Mr. Mumu

[ELECTRO A GO-GO] Passing by Metro clothing shop on Hawthorne a few weeks ago, I was drawn inside its doors—called by the house music booming from its outdoor speakers. Just who was it playing overhead? The salesperson didn't know, but what she did tell me is that the track was one of several dropped off on a mix CD by a DJ who is also in charge of the musical selections at Dante's weekly Xotica-Go-Go night. With that in mind, one can not only expect scantily clad women and dancing tonight, but to hear the best in current electronic music as well. NILINA MASON-CAMPBELL. 9 pm. Dante's, 1 SW 3rd Ave., 226-6630. $5. 21+. Map

Dahlia, Dat'r

Doug Fir Lounge, 830 E Burnside St., 231-9663. Map

Blues Jam w/ Suburban Slim, Marco Savo & Jeff Strawbridge

Duff's Garage, 1635 SE 7th Ave., 234-2337. All ages. Map

Open Mic w/ Walnut Meats

8 pm. Forty Fifth St. Pub & Grill, 4511 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway., 246-7061. Free. 21+. Map

Mood Doculators

Goodfoot, 2845 SE Stark St., 239-9292. Map

Arabesque

It's a Beautiful Pizza, 3342 SE Belmont St., 233-5444. All ages. Map

Hank Hirsh Jazz Jam

Jax, 826 SW 2nd Ave., 228-9128. All ages. Map

Mel Brown Quartet

Jimmy Mak's, 221 NW 10th Ave., 295-6542. All ages. Map

Peter Yeates

Kells Irish Pub, 112 SW 2nd Ave., 227-4057. Map

Frank Tribble

London Grill, 309 SW Broadway., 228-2000. All ages. Map

Joe McMurrian (7 pm)

McMenamins Edgefield, 2126 SW Halsey St., Troutdale., 669-8610. Map

CANCELLED: RRIICCEE feat. Vincent Gallo & Eric Erlandson

THIS SHOW HAS BEEN CANCELLED: [POST-ROCK] After the past few years as arguably a pornographer, prospective whore and general provocateur, it's hard to remember Vincent Gallo was once thought a Renaissance man of sorts—model, actor, director and, yeah, musician. Beyond touring with Jim O'Rourke and two-thirds of Autolux, he released relatively well-received albums on the Warp label, showcasing guitar figures and a breathy tenor. Of course, that Gallo's presumed dead, and his current project, RRIICCEE, a post-rock quartet featuring Hole bassist Eric Erlandson (whom Courtney Love may have rendered permanently codependent), concentrates on a continuous, minimalist improvisation, slowly hynotizing Gallo's new TMZ-fueled fan base ever awaiting the outre explosion. No caroling either way. JAY HORTON. 8 pm. Mission Theater, 1624 NW Glisan St., 223-4527. $15. 21+. Map

SOULR1, The Urban Shaman, Jhana (9 pm); Ronno's Dizzynest (6 pm)

Mississippi Pizza, 3552 N Mississippi Ave., 288-3231. All ages. Map

Bolt Upright Blue Jam

Monty's Tavern, 13095 SW Canyon Road., 644-2337. Map

Doug Jenkins

NOW CLOSED--Pix Patisserie-Hawthorne, 3731 SE Hawthorne Blvd., 236-4760. All ages. Map

Thad Beckman

Original Halibut's, 2525 NE Alberta St., 808-9601. All ages. Map

DJ Jason Snell

Ponderosa Lounge, 10350 N Vancouver Way., 345-0300. All ages. Map

Bill Beach (8 pm); Gus Pappelis (5 pm)

Portland City Grill, 111 SW 5th Ave., 450-0030. Map

Too Loose Cajun Band (6:30 pm)

Portland Policeman's Athletic Association, 618 SE Alder St., 691-2078. All ages. Map

Dandy Warhols, Upsidedown, The Nice Boys

[SPACE ROCK] What does a Dandy Warhols Christmas look like? Well, if you take a look at the concert poster, it looks to resemble A Charlie Brown Christmas—complete with the signature sparse evergreen. What does a Dandy Warhols Christmas sound like? Just as classic as that cartoon, but entirely its own. The Dandy Warhols' take on "The Little Drummer Boy" doesn't stray too far from the original tune, but it's definitely stamped with the outfit's trademark keyboards and spaced-out vocals. With this gig, you'll not only get the Dandy Warhols' own psyched-out rock classics but probably carols, too! NILINA MASON-CAMPBELL. 8 pm. Roseland, 8 NW 6th Ave., 219-9929 (Grill), 224-2038 (Theater). $15. All ages. Map

CD Baby X-Mas Benefit Show: Dirty Mittens, Brother Joseph, Massive Meat Split, Slam Dunk, Davis Hooker, Jesus Burger, Chris Robley, Breanna Paletta, DJs Othertempo, Nikki, Deanna D and more

[SANTA BABY] CD Baby, the artists' record label (it ships CDs directly from musicians to consumers for a small cut), unsurprisingly employs a number of musicians at its Portland headquarters, and the distro-company's annual holiday bash combines a frenetic office party with an overstuffed showcase—and, of course, charity; it's all to benefit the Artist Mentorship Program. With employees' existing bands, solo efforts and groups put together solely for this purpose, nearly two dozen acts are set to perform. Hell of a schedule to manage, but they've some experience handling that sort of thing. JAY HORTON. 8 pm. Satyricon, 125 NW 6th Ave., 227-0999. $5. All ages. Map

Go Fever

The Knife Shop, 426 SW Washington St., 228-3669. Map

Craig Bidondo & Friends Christmas

Tony Starlight's, 3728 NE Sandy Blvd., 517-8584. All ages. Map

Placentapede, The Gentry, Whether

Towne Lounge, 714 SW 20th Place., 241-8696. All ages. Map

Steve Smith

Tupelo Joe's, 10721 NW Sandy Blvd., 788-5150. All ages. Map

Quaker Gun, Right Left Grand, Sons of Chayo

White Eagle, 836 N Russell St., 282-6810. Map

The Hollytones

Wilf's Restaurant, 800 NW 6th Ave., 223-0070. All ages. Map

Thursday December 20top

Mike Moore, Ray Ottoboni, George Veech

Alberta Street Public House, 1036 NE Alberta St., 284-7665. Map

Order of the Gash, Anon Remora, Black Budget, Salvador

Ash Street Saloon, 225 SW Ash St., 226-0430. Map

Pete Krebs Trio (7 pm)

Bar Mestizo at Andina, 1314 NW Glisan St., 228-9535. All ages. Map

Jean Ronne & Lee Wuthenow

Benson Hotel, 309 SW Broadway., 228-2000. All ages. Map

Headpeace, Kos, Sneakathon

[RAGE AGAIN] L.A.'s Headpeace sounds an awful lot like Rage Against the Machine. From the song structures on down to frontman Quentin Neace's sing-scream vocal musings and Adam Wickerham's oft-scratched guitar, the trio could almost make it on the tribute-band circuit, even with its occasional leaning toward psychedelic walls of sound. But, inexplicably, the fellas from Headpeace choose to write their own tunes and (most tryingly for would-be fans) faux-philosophical lyrics instead. Portland's Sneakathon is still in its early demo-producing stages, but its low-fi experimental pop recordings are infinitely more listenable than Headpeace's most produced tracks. As usual, I blame California. CASEY JARMAN. 9:30 pm. Berbati's Pan, 231 SW Ankeny St., 248-4579. $6. 21+. Map

Jimmy Boyer

Biddy McGraw's, 6000 NE Glisan St., 233-1178. Map

Carbaret Dance Party w/ The Baron & Baroness Montaigne

Branx, 320 SE 2nd Ave., 234-5683. All ages. Map

One Horse Shy

[COUNTRY] In these apocalyptic times, wherein the next big country musicians (read: pop stars) are plucked from shows like American Idol and Nashville Star, it's nice to know that good, real country music still exists in the form of Ashland's Americana folk band One Horse Shy. Frontwoman Manda Bryn's twangy voice is reminiscent of Gillian Welch and perhaps even a softer (OK, much softer) Reba. Bryn's bandmates complement her pipes nicely with simple arrangements of mandolin, guitar, gentle harmonies and a steady high-hat rhythm. The upbeat "Mandagrass" will make you long for lilac-covered fields, even if you haven't left the city in years. ANNIE BETHANCOURT. 9 pm. Buffalo Gap Saloon, 6835 SW Macadam Ave., 244-7111. Free. 21+. Map

Nick Jaina, The Builders and the Butchers, The Golden Bears

[DAMN GOOD FOLK ROCK] I've always said Bobby Bare Jr.'s "Terrible Sunrise" is the best coke song ever, but local songwriter Nick Jaina's "Maybe Cocaine"—an earnest, realistic take on self-deprecation and the mid-twentysomething-afflicting quarter-life crisis—is certainly right up there. But that's old news: Jaina (who happens to be one of our very favorite LocalCut.com tour diary contributors) already has a few cuts from upcoming album Wool up on the ol' ’Space, and it appears spooky good things are in store. Jaina's dry sense of humor and droll demeanor are apparent in his songwriting, and his deft word mastery and contributing slew of talented PDX players—from the Maybe Happening's Nathan Langston on violin to Heroes & Villains' Ali Ippolito on keys (which is not to sell his own piano and guitar skills short)—combine to flatter all those characteristics in a delightfully somber, slightly Lou Reed-ish light. Also see profile. AMY MCCULLOUGH. 9 pm. Doug Fir Lounge, 830 E Burnside St., 231-9663. $8. 21+. Map

Crackertones

Duff's Garage, 1635 SE 7th Ave., 234-2337. Map

Ludachristmas Party: DJ Chilly Chaze

Dunes, 1905 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., 493-8637. All ages. Map

Even Cowgirls Get the Blues

East End, 203 SE Grand Ave., 232-0056. Map

Gumbo: Liv Warfield, Hungry Mob

[SPICY STEW] I'm not exactly sure why this ongoing R&B series at the Fez has been coined "gumbo" (wouldn't that, if taken literally, imply Cajun music?). But the combo of local soulstress Liv Warfield and MC-everyman Mic Crenshaw's group, Hungry Mob, is a bit of a self-(or booker-)fulfilling prophecy. Warfield—who got her start belting it out karaoke-style at the Galaxy—serves up everything from classic, late-night radio-style R&B to soul barn-burners, jazzed-up funk numbers and danceable hip-hop. Crenshaw and company go at things a little more directly, but not much. Sure, Hungry Mob features Crenshaw rapping over deep, groove-worthy beats, but there's soul aplenty (musically and vocally, thanks to Toni Hill of Siren's Echo) to be had here, too. A spicy, chunky stew, indeed. AMY MCCULLOUGH. 8 pm. Fez Ballroom, 316 SW 11th Ave., 221-7262. $7. 21+. Map

Off the Grid, Nicoluminous, Loki, DJ Devon

Goodfoot, 2845 SE Stark St., 239-9292. Map

A Weather, Super XX Man, Love Menu

[INDIE FOLK] 2007 has been good to A Weather. We saw Pitchfork and a handful of other notable music blogs championing the band's quiet, oft-sensual folk pop, plus shows with Bright Eyes and the release of a Team Love 7-inch, The Feather Test. The band's full album is slated to follow this March: Always nice to see the good guys (and gal) win. That said, we have high hopes for the slow and steady music of Super XX Man's Scott Garred in ’08. A music therapist by trade, Garred funnels a profound sense of calm and a desire for understanding into his quiet, meditative pop. That might sound New Age, but it's not—Garred (who cut his teeth with indie-pop outfit Silver Scooter) often comes off like an introverted John Darnielle, with songs that are as funny as they are precious. CASEY JARMAN. 9 pm. Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison St., 239-7639. $6. 21+. Map

Portland Jazz Singers Showcase

Jax, 826 SW 2nd Ave., 228-9128. 21+. Map

Mel Brown B3 Organ Band

Jimmy Mak's, 221 NW 10th Ave., 295-6542. All ages. Map

Peter Yeates

Kells Irish Pub, 112 SW 2nd Ave., 227-4057. Map

Bill Beach (6 pm)

London Grill, 309 SW Broadway., 228-2000. All ages. Map

New Artist Showcase w/ Matt Vrba

Macadam's Bar & Grill, 5833 SW Macadam Ave., 246-6227. All ages. Map

John Bunzow (7 pm)

McMenamins Edgefield, 2126 SW Halsey St., Troutdale., 669-8610. Map

Wicky Pickers (9 pm); Ebenezer (6 pm)

Mississippi Pizza, 3552 N Mississippi Ave., 288-3231. All ages. Map

Donna Jose Open Mic & Jammin'

Mock Crest Tavern, 3435 N Lombard St., 283-5014. All ages. Map

NW Women Rhythm & Blues 9th Annual Holiday Show: Sonny Hess, Lisa Mann, Linda Hornbuckle, Janice Scoggins, Margo Tufo, Lady Kat, Mary Kadderly, Megan James & Kelly Pierce

[ROCK & BLUES] The title says Rhythm & Blues, but there's plenty of diversity at this year's holiday show. Linda Hornbuckle belts out blues, jazz and gospel tunes, while Lisa Mann plays everything from back-porch blues to radio-ready pop. Margo Tufo sings more traditional blues with a rock-leaning band, and puts on one of the liveliest shows you're likely to see at tonight's party.  CASEY JARMAN. 7:30 pm. Mount Tabor Legacy, 4811 SE Hawthorne Blvd., 232-0450. $15. 21+. Map

Terry Robb

Original Halibut's, 2525 NE Alberta St., 808-9601. All ages. Map

David Michael Lee (8 pm); Jim Fischer (5 pm)

Portland City Grill, 111 SW 5th Ave., 450-0030. Map

Summer, Daniel Hawks, Eddie Bodine

Red Room, 2530 NE 82nd Ave., 256-3399. Map

Toyz N the Hood: Cool Nutz, Tragedy, Siren's Echo, DJ Chill, Twisted Insane, Liquid Anthrax, Traumatize Immortal

[WHAAA?] Christmas brings folks together. I don't know if I've ever seen a better example of that than Cool Nutz co-headlining a show with Tragedy at Rock 'N' Roll Pizza. Tragedy's murder rap appeals to Juggalos and mall rats with plenty of pent-up aggression; Cool Nutz has a bit of a different following—with roots in G-funk and a knack for slightly more realistic urban storytelling. Only old St. Nick and the spirit of Christmas could get these two together for a toy drive. Last year, Nutz held a similar event that gathered over 700 toys for the Salvation Army. This year's goal is 1,000. Admission is free when you bring a toy. "Adult" and/or mutilated toys (I'm talking to you, Tragedy fans!) should be left at home. CASEY JARMAN. 7 pm. Rock 'N' Roll Pizza, 11140 SE Powell Blvd., 760-7646. Free. All ages. Map

Sonic Lozenge Showcase: Michael Bruce, Doug Theriault, Bird Costumes, R. O'Shaughnessy

[LOOPY] Michael Bruce, head of local label Sonic Lozenge and fellow loop-employing noisemaker, describes Portland experimental project Bird Costumes as "the loudest looper I have ever heard." While that might not mean much to, uh, non-loopers, I think what he's getting at is the fact that tonight's lineup is gonna make you feel funny. Basically, these guys record something cool, low and noisy and set it up to play over and over. Then they get crazy loud and experimental over top of that, and the result is layered, pit-o'-your-stomach rattlin' noise goodness. Like a sonic goober sliding its way slowly up your esophagus and out your throat from said pulsing belly—only to explode at just the most satisfying moments into a splash of gross, but somehow appealing, noise. Wow, I just wrote that not even realizing how much sense "Sonic Lozenge" actually makes. Really! AMY MCCULLOUGH. 9 pm. Rotture, 315 SE 3rd Ave., 234-5683. $6. 21+. Map

Revolution Radio, Boy Without a Cape, Lost in the Fall, Carbonthy, The Diggers, Horatio, Vitamins Help (6:30 pm)

Satyricon, 125 NW 6th Ave., 227-0999. All ages. Map

The Fix: Rev Shines, Ohmega Watts, DJs Kez, Dundiggy

Someday Lounge, 125 NW 5th Ave., 248-1030. All ages. Map

Sonny Hess

The Knife Shop, 426 SW Washington St., 228-3669. All ages. Map

Dig Down, David Kyle & the Invisibles, Armonikos, Red Rapture

Tonic Lounge, 3100 NE Sandy Blvd., 238-0543. All ages. Map

Deja Nu Christmas

Tony Starlight's, 3728 NE Sandy Blvd., 517-8584. All ages. Map

Gregory Miles Harris, The Floods, Ashley Dunham, Matt Gilligan, Rian O' Hara, Tommy Suitcase

[QUIRK POP] See profile. 9:30 pm. Towne Lounge, 714 SW 20th Place., 241-8696. $3. 21+. Map

Pagan Jug Band (8:30 pm); Stevi Marie & Jackson Road (5:30 pm)

White Eagle, 836 N Russell St., 282-6810. All ages. Map

Tom Grant

Wilf's Restaurant, 800 NW 6th Ave., 223-0070. All ages. Map

Friday December 21top

Michael Ismerio, Curtis Alsobrook (6:30 pm)

Alberta Street Public House, 1036 NE Alberta St., 284-7665. Map

True Consumers, Basic Shapes (CD Release), Moodswing, Alphabet Stew, Demune

Ash Street Saloon, 225 SW Ash St., 226-0430. All ages. Map

The Empty, The Planck Scale, The Sound of Silence

Backspace, 115 NW 5th Ave., 248-2900. All ages. Map

John Butler Trio

Bar Mestizo at Andina, 1314 NW Glisan St., 228-9535. All ages. Map

Neil Masson Quartet w/ Lee Wuthenow

Benson Hotel, 309 SW Broadway., 228-2000. All ages. Map

L Pro, Thorn City Improv, Cool Nutz, Destro, Soul P, Syndel, Libretto, Mic Crenshaw, DJ Sneakers

[HIP-HOP] See album review. 9 pm. Berbati's Pan, 231 SW Ankeny St., 248-4579. Free. 21+. Map

The Way Downs, Poncho Luxurio

Biddy McGraw's, 6000 NE Glisan St., 233-1178. Map

DJ Girlfriends

Branx, 320 SE 2nd Ave., 234-5683. Map

Tony Smiley

Buffalo Gap Saloon, 6835 SW Macadam Ave., 244-7111. All ages. Map

Boogie Night: Clayton Pearce, DJ Angry Buddah

Chaos Cafe & Parlor, 2620 SE Powell Blvd., 546-8112. All ages. Map

Hipwaiters

Corner Saloon, 2509 SW Borland Road, Tualatin., 638-2523. 21+. Map

Johnny Connolly and Cary Novotny

County Cork, 1329 NE Fremont St., 284-4805. Map

Jet Set: DJs A.pol.j & Kepi

Crush, 1400 SE Morrison St., 235-8150. All ages. Map

Robots & Nurses X-Mas Ball: Smoochknob, The Smoochgirls, Brace the Fall

Dante's, 1 SW 3rd Ave., 226-6630. All ages. Map

Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks, Blitzen Trapper

[A LITTLE LOOSER ABOUT EVERYTHING] It'll have been three whole years since Face the Truth when the Jicks' upcoming Real Emotional Trash finally hits the streets in March, and boy am I ready for some new jammy psych-rock love from Malkmus & Co. Sure, his voice pouring out of Cate Blanchett's mouth in I'm Not There was pretty rad (if not a little weird, though never as weird as Christian Bale employing Mason Jennings' roller-coaster croon), and his solo spot at MusicfestNW a few years back was a real treat, but I'm ready for the rock—and I'm willing to bet I'm not alone. As Jicks bassist Joanna Bolme put it in a recent interview, the Jicks are "just a little looser about everything" (in comparison to her work with Quasi). They're also total chameleons, switching from all-out, high-energy rock ’n’ roll ("Baby C’mon") to earnest indie-rock classics ("Church on White") and space-rock hippie jams ("1% of One") with the greatest of ease. And they do it all under the helm of Malkmus' lackadaisical vocals and always surprisingly masterful guitar playing. He even writes a totally solid straight-up pop song ("Jenny & the Ess-Dog," "Vanessa from Queens") every now and again. AMY MCCULLOUGH. 9 pm. Doug Fir Lounge, 830 E Burnside St., 231-9663. $15. 21+. Map

Hard Luck 3

Duff's Garage, 1635 SE 7th Ave., 234-2337. Map

DJs MisPrid, Cityrocker

East End, 203 SE Grand Ave., 232-0056. Map

Bucyrus Erie

Forty Fifth St. Pub & Grill, 4511 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Highway., 246-7061. All ages. Map

Brian Edward Bailey (Balcony)

Hawthorne Theatre, 3862 SE Hawthorne Blvd., 233-7100. All ages. Map

Bobby Torres Trio

Heathman Hotel, 1001 SW Broadway., 241-4100. All ages. Map

Rockbox: DJs Kez, Matt Nelkin & Dundiggy

Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison St., 239-7639. Map

Ryan's Myth

Jade Lounge, 2346 SE Ankeny St., 236-4998. Map

Ian Christensen

Jax, 826 SW 2nd Ave., 228-9128. All ages. Map

Eleven Eyes

Jimmy Mak's, 221 NW 10th Ave., 295-6542. All ages. Map

St. James's Gate

Kells Irish Pub, 112 SW 2nd Ave., 227-4057. All ages. Map

'80s Video Dance Attack!: VJ Kittyrox

Lola's Room at the Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside St., 225-0047. All ages. Map

Bill Beach (6 pm)

London Grill, 309 SW Broadway., 228-2000. All ages. Map

Brian Odell Band

Macadam's Bar & Grill, 5833 SW Macadam Ave., 246-6227. Map

Mary Flower, Jesse Withers

[BLUES] Should we read Jackstraw bassist Jesse Withers' last name as an ironic, next-generation meta-commentary on the surname of his mother, singer-guitarist Mary Flower? Get it—Flower, Withers? Now there's a bluesy concept. At any rate, mom's career is flowering, not withering. In fact, she's just been nominated for a Blues Music Award (formerly known as the W.C. Handy Award) as Acoustic Artist of the Year for her recent compilation disc, Instrumental Breakdown. This weekend, she performs both solo and duets with her son, promising a mix of tunes more geared to escaping than wallowing in the so-called joys of the season. JEFF ROSENBERG. 7 pm. McMenamins Edgefield, 2126 SW Halsey St., Troutdale., 669-8610. Free. 21+. Map

Cloudsplitter, Yoyodyne, Up at Seven (9 pm); Voodoo BBQ (6 pm)

Mississippi Pizza, 3552 N Mississippi Ave., 288-3231. All ages. Map

Colin Lake & Wellbottom

Mock Crest Tavern, 3435 N Lombard St., 283-5014. Map

Greg Clark

Muddy Rudder Public House, 8105 SE 7th Ave., 233-4410. All ages. Map

Lloyd Jones Trio

Original Halibut's, 2525 NE Alberta St., 808-9601. All ages. Map

Concrete Cowboys w/ DJ Morgan

Ponderosa Lounge, 10350 N Vancouver Way., 345-0300. Map

Gus Pappelis (8 pm); Dave Lee (5 pm)

Portland City Grill, 111 SW 5th Ave., 450-0030. Map

On Que

Portsmouth Pizza & Pub, 5264 N Lombard St., 289-4644. All ages. Map

Pete Krebs' Gypsy Jazz Trio

Press Club, 2621 SE Clinton St., 233-5656. Map

The Number Red

Produce Row Cafe, 204 SE Oak St., 232-8355. All ages. Map

Pete Bush and the Hoi Polloi, The Matt Brown Band, Stepkid

Red Room, 2530 NE 82nd Ave., 256-3399. Map

3 Inches of Blood, Toxic Holocaust, Bison, Ceremonial Castings & Arkhum (7 pm)

Rock 'N' Roll Pizza, 11140 SE Powell Blvd., 760-7646. Map

Juicy: Thizz Pizz w/ DJs Beyonda & Rad

[OLD SCHOOL AND ELECTRO] Juicy is getting juicier! Every week, DJs Rad and Beyonda seem to raise the stakes—bringing the best vinyl to ensure maximum dancing and recruiting their best local DJ friends to share space on the decks. Lately, the Juicy folk have imported the best DJs from other cities and countries, as well, ensuring Juicy holds it down as one of the best dance nights in Portland. There's really no question of where to spend your Friday night the first and third weeks of each month. NILINA MASON-CAMPBELL. 9 pm. Rotture, 315 SE 3rd Ave., 234-5683. $3. 21+. Map

Droplaw, The Model Citizen

Satyricon, 125 NW 6th Ave., 227-0999. All ages. Map

Howie & the Hot Knives, Aurora Roarers, The Pity Fucks

Slabtown, 1033 NW 16th Ave., 223-0099. All ages. Map

Fist of Dishonor, Nodding Tree Remedies, Rob Walmart, Larry Yes & A Psychedelic Light Show by Phillip Cooper

Someday Lounge, 125 NW 5th Ave., 248-1030. All ages. Map

Vahalla: Hexer, Geistus, DJ Nate

The Knife Shop, 426 SW Washington St., 228-3669. Map

Another Cynthia, Cellar Door, Pimps and Ho Ho Ho's Party

Tonic Lounge, 3100 NE Sandy Blvd., 238-0543. Map

"Bureau of Standards Big Band Christmas"

Tony Starlight's, 3728 NE Sandy Blvd., 517-8584. All ages. Map

Dantronix

Tube, 18 NW 3rd Ave., 241-8823. 21+. Map

Robbie Laws

Tupelo Joe's, 10721 NW Sandy Blvd., 788-5150. All ages. Map

J*Malem

Twilight Room, 5242 N Lombard St., 283-5091. All ages. Map

Jacob Merlin Band (9:30 pm); The Reverb Brothers (5:30 pm)

White Eagle, 836 N Russell St., 282-6810. All ages. Map

Shelly Rudolph Trio

Wilf's Restaurant, 800 NW 6th Ave., 223-0070. All ages. Map

Saturday December 22top

Shoeshine Blue, Ali Wesley, Jack Elder

[MIXED CHRISTMAS FOLK BAG] I'm not sure if this roundup of Portland folksters is set to include Lennon covers or choirs of children led by stigmatized Asian girlfriends, but it's being billed as "So This Is Christmas." Covers aside, some originals should be in store as well, and all three acts delight in different ways. From opener Jack Elder's gentle, grunge-affected singer-songwriter fare—which doesn't skimp on the Enigk-like drama or femmy vocals—to the cute ’n’ clever folk pop of Elder's gal, Ali Wesley (also of Super XX Man). Finish the night off with a bourbon nog and a dose of Shoeshine Blue's creepy blues-folk-country mélange (imagine Andrew Bird and a lovely female ghost singing at an old bluesman's funeral), and, well, it is Christmas after all. AMY MCCULLOUGH. 9 pm. Also see Wednesday listing. Alberta Street Public House, 1036 NE Alberta St., 284-7665. $5. 21+. Map

Mr. Clean's B-Day Bash: Mr. Clean, Michael Gabriel, Easy Co. Jacob Poe & friends

Ararat, 5716 SE 92nd Ave., 235-5526. All ages. Map

Joint Venture

Ash Street Saloon, 225 SW Ash St., 226-0430. All ages. Map

Toshi Onizuka

Bar Mestizo at Andina, 1314 NW Glisan St., 228-9535. All ages. Map

Neil Masson Quartet w/ Lee Wuthenow

Benson Hotel, 309 SW Broadway., 228-2000. All ages. Map

Ashbury Park

Biddy McGraw's, 6000 NE Glisan St., 233-1178. 21+. Map

Instigators

Blue Monk, 3341 SE Belmont St., 595-0575. All ages. Map

New Romantix: DJs Beyonda & Linoleum

Branx, 320 SE 2nd Ave., 234-5683. All ages. Map

Keegan Smith & the Fam, Marv Ellis, The Juice to Make it Happen

[REGGAE FOLK] It's Portland, it's cold, and you find yourself yearning for brighter, happier days. Enter Keegan Smith & the Fam. This reggae-folk band Jack Johnsons its way through upbeat songs, spilling out jubilant lyrics about morning drives in convertible cars in the too-many-syllables-per-beat style made famous by bands like Sublime (and later bastardized by Crazy Town and LFO). Seriously, the Fam's stuff is like musical summer. Life's a little sunnier listening to them, and what's more, you won't find yourself singing the words "Scooby Doo-wop and Scooby snacks, I met a fly girl and I can't relax." Word. ANNIE BETHANCOURT. 9 pm. Buffalo Gap Saloon, 6835 SW Macadam Ave., 244-7111. Free. 21+. Map

Papagaiyo, Garden of Change (10 pm); Broken Eye Drum Jam (8 pm)

Chaos Cafe & Parlor, 2620 SE Powell Blvd., 546-8112. All ages. Map

DJ Stay In School

Crush, 1400 SE Morrison St., 235-8150. All ages. Map

Drew Shoals CD Release Party w/ Chris Mosley Quartet

Design Counsel, 1028 NW 18th Ave., . All ages. Map

Everybody Say Ho Ho Ho!: Rev. Shines, MC Braille, Theory Hazit, Darel Junior, Garden Entertainment, Barry Hampton & the Triple Grip

[HIP-HOP] Some of Portland hip-hop's finest step out to celebrate Christmas at the Doug Fir tonight, including two Portland heavyweights wrapping up their most successful years yet—the Lifesavas' Rev. Shines and Lightheaded's Braille. If the fellas (and the women of the Triple Grip, of course) seem extra stoked for the season, it's because many of Stumptown's finest are also fans of the Big Man Upstairs. You might hear a couple of J-bombs dropped tonight, but nothing heavy-handed. If a wayward soul like me can get down to the funkiest Christmas party in Portland, I bet it won't bug you heathens much, either. Get there early for the soulful sounds of Hampton and his crew, and keep a special eye out for Ohio-based Braille collaborator Theory Hazit's throwback beats. CASEY JARMAN. 9 pm. Doug Fir Lounge, 830 E Burnside St., 231-9663. $10. 21+. Map

The X-Angels

Duff's Garage, 1635 SE 7th Ave., 234-2337. Map

Nic Fury

[YEEEAH!] Self-described as one who "stays in the mix like a Lil John song," Fury is a man of many angles. Head of L.A.-based 20 Kliks Records, he has a lengthy list of collaborators to fill out his hefty brand of hip-hop. Expect some unexpected freestyling, plenty of mic-passing, and a whole load of head-bobbing. MARK STOCK. East Chinatown Lounge, 322 NW Everett St., 226-1659. Cover. 21+. Map

East End Kids Punk Monthly: DJs Paultimore, Bonus, The Estranged

East End, 203 SE Grand Ave., 232-0056. Map

Fuz: DJ Radius

Fez Ballroom, 316 SW 11th Ave., 221-7262. All ages. Map

Lewi Longmire Band, Jackstraw

Goodfoot, 2845 SE Stark St., 239-9292. Map

Pure Impact (Balcony)

Hawthorne Theatre, 3862 SE Hawthorne Blvd., 233-7100. All ages. Map

Retta Christie

Heathman Hotel, 1001 SW Broadway., 241-4100. All ages. Map

Native Blue Sextet

Jax, 826 SW 2nd Ave., 228-9128. All ages. Map

Devin Phillips

Jimmy Mak's, 221 NW 10th Ave., 295-6542. All ages. Map

St. James's Gate

Kells Irish Pub, 112 SW 2nd Ave., 227-4057. All ages. Map

Bill Beach (6 pm)

London Grill, 309 SW Broadway., 228-2000. All ages. Map

Acoustic Minds

Macadam's Bar & Grill, 5833 SW Macadam Ave., 246-6227. Map

Mary Flower, Jesse Withers

[BLUES] See Friday listing. 7 pm. McMenamins Edgefield, 2126 SW Halsey St., Troutdale., 669-8610. Free. 21+. Map

2nd Annual Queer Christmas: CJ & the Dolls, The Gender Fluids (9 pm); Black Elk; Sick, Sick Sister (6 pm); Lorna Miller's Little Kids' Jamboree (4 pm)

Mississippi Pizza, 3552 N Mississippi Ave., 288-3231. All ages. Map

Blueprints

Mock Crest Tavern, 3435 N Lombard St., 283-5014. Map

Kenny Lavitz

Monty's Tavern, 13095 SW Canyon Road., 644-2337. All ages. Map

Jim Wallace

Original Halibut's, 2525 NE Alberta St., 808-9601. All ages. Map

Concrete Cowboys w/ DJ Morgan

Ponderosa Lounge, 10350 N Vancouver Way., 345-0300. Map

Gus Pappelis (8 pm); David Michael Lee (5 pm)

Portland City Grill, 111 SW 5th Ave., 450-0030. Map

Bolt Upright

Portsmouth Pizza & Pub, 5264 N Lombard St., 289-4644. All ages. Map

China Loca

Red Room, 2530 NE 82nd Ave., 256-3399. Map

Christmas Sweater Party: Reclaim The Fallen, Dear Whoever, Kaddisfly, Upon Beauty Rests (7 pm)

Rock 'N' Roll Pizza, 11140 SE Powell Blvd., 760-7646. All ages. Map

Risk vs. Reward: DJs Tobias, Metronome & the Paperbacks

Rotture, 315 SE 3rd Ave., 234-5683. All ages. Map

A Darker Grey, The Parsimony Effect, Good Robot Us's

Satyricon, 125 NW 6th Ave., 227-0999. All ages. Map

Wasted Wonderland Holiday Party

Slabtown, 1033 NW 16th Ave., 223-0099. Map

Norman Sylvester Band

Steamers, 8303 NE Sandy Blvd., 256-5211. All ages. Map

Break Neck Betties X-Mas Party

The Knife Shop, 426 SW Washington St., 228-3669. All ages. Map

Bryan Free, Deepest Darkest

Tonic Lounge, 3100 NE Sandy Blvd., 238-0543. All ages. Map

"It's a Tony Starlight Christmas" feat. Tony Starlight & Bo Ayars

Tony Starlight's, 3728 NE Sandy Blvd., 517-8584. Map

Bryan Flannery Band

White Eagle, 836 N Russell St., 282-6810. Map

Sandy Dennison Quartet

Wilf's Restaurant, 800 NW 6th Ave., 223-0070. All ages. Map

Sunday December 23top

China Loca, Mao Tongue Section, The Harvery Girls, Wham Ban Girls

Ash Street Saloon, 225 SW Ash St., 226-0430. Map

Tracy Kim Trio (7 pm)

Bar Mestizo at Andina, 1314 NW Glisan St., 228-9535. All ages. Map

A Very Wombstretcha Christmas: Wombstretcha, Mr. Majestyk, DJs Colleague, Love Meter & Krazy K

[SO WRONG] The night before the night before Christmas, most every young Portlander is either midway through the long winter's bender or feverishly applying track-mark concealer on the redeye back East, so why not spend the holidays with Wombstretcha? The cartoon misogyny and sexual mischief-nudging assault of Wombstretcha, Statutory Ray and their accomplices may not be for everyone—however feckless the white-boy demeanor, a strain of genuine menace still runs through the lyrical braggadocio. Still, the rhymes are funny, the crew knows how to work a mic, and honestly, we're eagerly awaiting the nativity scene. JAY HORTON. 8:30 pm. Berbati's Pan, 231 SW Ankeny St., 248-4579. $5. 21+. Map

Irish Music Open Jam (7 pm)

Biddy McGraw's, 6000 NE Glisan St., 233-1178. Map

The Superstar Divas Holiday Show, Part 2

CC Slaughters, 219 NW Davis St., 248-9135. All ages. Map

Mike-a-nay

Crush, 1400 SE Morrison St., 235-8150. All ages. Map

"Sinferno Cabaret" (11 pm); Polly Panic, Gruesome Galore (9 pm)

Dante's, 1 SW 3rd Ave., 226-6630. Map

"Stripparaoke"

Devils Point, 5305 SE Foster Road., 774-4513. 21+. Map

DJ Diet D.

East End, 203 SE Grand Ave., 232-0056. All ages. Map

Cronin Tierney

Kells Irish Pub, 112 SW 2nd Ave., 227-4057. Map

There's Gonna Be A Christmas Breakout!: Crucial Change, The Scurvies, Secret Army, Rum Rebellion, The Casketeers, 48 Thrills, Hammered Grunts & more (4 pm)

Liberty Hall, 311 N Ivy St., 249-8888. All ages. Map

Eli Reischman (5:30 pm); Jean Ronne (9:30 am)

London Grill, 309 SW Broadway., 228-2000. All ages. Map

Mary Flower, Jesse Withers

[BLUES] See Friday listing. 5 pm. McMenamins Edgefield, 2126 SW Halsey St., Troutdale., 669-8610. Free. 21+. Map

Rio Con Brio (9 pm); Reggae Ambassadors (6 pm)

Mississippi Pizza, 3552 N Mississippi Ave., 288-3231. All ages. Map

Maria Muldaur & Her Red Hot Bluesiana Band

[BLUES] Having sold out the early show, Maria Muldaur has added another performance this evening on her Naughty Bawdy Christmas Tour. The vocal powerhouse and savvy song archaeologist recently released Naughty, Bawdy and Blue, completing her trilogy of collections of tunes by classic women blues singers such as Sippie Wallace, Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey and Victoria Spivey. Apparently, Muldaur's found a few off-color holiday songs to add to that repertoire. This rockin' holiday music-history lesson should go down as warm, smooth and easy as a vat of egg nog loaded up with rum. Yum! JEFF ROSENBERG. 5 & 7:30 pm. Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi Ave., 288-3895. $25 advance, $27 day of show. 21+. Map

KC Murphy (7 pm)

Mock Crest Tavern, 3435 N Lombard St., 283-5014. All ages. Map

Bill Beach (5 pm)

Portland City Grill, 111 SW 5th Ave., 450-0030. Map

We The Denied, Our Fangs Our Pistols, Into Exile, This Corpse Has The Floor, Ice Nine Kills (7 pm)

Satyricon, 125 NW 6th Ave., 227-0999. All ages. Map

Sunday's Slave: DJ van Dis

Stumptown-Downtown, 128 SW 3rd Ave., 295-6144. Map

Portland Songwriters Showcase

The Knife Shop, 426 SW Washington St., 228-3669. Map

National Static, Mission 5, Beyond Veronica

Tonic Lounge, 3100 NE Sandy Blvd., 238-0543. All ages. Map

Evolutionary Jass Band, Venable

Valentine's, 232 SW Ankeny St., 248-1600. All ages. Map

Open Mic Songwriter Showcase

White Eagle, 836 N Russell St., 282-6810. Map

Monday December 24top

First Annual "Heebonism" (4 pm)

Ace Hotel, 1022 SE Stark St., 228-2277. 21+. Map

Gypsy Jazz Trio (7 pm)

Bar Mestizo at Andina, 1314 NW Glisan St., 228-9535. All ages. Map

Lowell John Mitchell Happy Hour (6:30 pm)

Biddy McGraw's, 6000 NE Glisan St., 233-1178. All ages. Map

"Karaoke From Hell"

Dante's, 1 SW 3rd Ave., 226-6630. All ages. Map

Black Christmas: Danzig Tribute & DJ Wyld Chyld

East End, 203 SE Grand Ave., 232-0056. All ages. Map

Cronin Tierney

Kells Irish Pub, 112 SW 2nd Ave., 227-4057. Map

Frank Tribble

London Grill, 309 SW Broadway., 228-2000. All ages. Map

Dave Lee (8 pm); Mark J (5 pm)

Portland City Grill, 111 SW 5th Ave., 450-0030. Map

Tuesday December 25top

DJ Wyld Chyld

East End, 203 SE Grand Ave., 232-0056. All ages. Map

Shadowplay: DJs Carrion, Uberlush & Horrid

Fez Ballroom, 316 SW 11th Ave., 221-7262. Map

Don Jansen

London Grill, 309 SW Broadway., 228-2000. All ages. Map

Jim Fischer (8 pm); Bill Beach (5 pm)

Portland City Grill, 111 SW 5th Ave., 450-0030. Map

Joe McMurrian Quartet w/ Jimi Bott, David Lipkind & Jason Honl

White Eagle, 836 N Russell St., 282-6810. All ages. Map