Thursday, 18
A Circus Carol, Majestic Theatre, 115 SW 2nd St. 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $20 ($18 for members, seniors, students)
The Northwest circus troupe with the mostest (that didn’t rhyme, but it’s still true) is bringing a frankly stunning Christmas performance to Corvallis. Along with the cast of acrobats, aerialists, jugglers, dancers, and opera singers they’re known for, world-famous chamber quintet 3 Leg Torso will also be present.
http://www.majestic.org/wanderlust-circus/
www.majestic.org , http://youtu.be/Sk5D5IFxCMM
Friday, 19
Hank Shreve Band, The Flinn Steakhouse, 222 W 1st Ave. 9 p.m.
Eugene’s Hank Shreve Band blends blues, soul, jazz, rock, and funk to create a rock and roll show not to be missed. Believe it or not, it also features a vocalist (also on harmonica and organ) named Hank Shreve (go figure?!), who is a badass. Qualifications? How about having shared the stage with Merle ^#@!#$ Haggard. This group is no joke—if you’re into early rock music, you’re going to fall in love.
https://www.facebook.com/HankShreveBand
Clara Baker, Jesse Johnson & George Estreich, Cloud & Kelly’s, 126 SW 1st St. 10 p.m.
Another fine example of a Corvallis “combo” show, three Oregon-local players let loose with some sweet song-smithing. I had the priviledge of enjoying a video of a performance by Jesse and George, a duet of acoustic and electric guitar. And Clara Baker needs no introduction with her commanding vocals and folk voicing on the guitar.
https://www.facebook.com/clarabakermusic
https://www.facebook.com/events/801363129927031/
Saturday, 20
30 Pound Test Christmas Party, Bombs Away Cafe , 2527 NW Monroe Ave. 8:45 p.m. $5, 21+
30 Pound Test shows should come with a warning: your bowels will likely void themselves of both joy and terror. There’s nothing quite like them. This time they’re booked with Wade Graham and Summer Soundtrack for a Christmas party that’ll benefit Heartland Humane Society as well as be overflowing with delicious beer. Though the form of prog rock 30 Pound Test brings to the table doesn’t necessarily call for a sequined cape, acid wash jeans, or a white mesh shirt, you should still wear ’em if you got ’em.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/30-Pound-TEST/217963011597413
https://www.facebook.com/events/335202823330341/
Laura Meyer, Calapooia Brewing Company, 140 NE Hill St., Albany. 8 p.m.
Santa Cruz’s Laura Meyer is a bold vocalist pushing a dark, quirky, powerful sort of rock music that’s a little strange to classify. Very intimate stuff. And though we can’t vouch for her driving skills (Santa Cruz is in California, just saying), this should make for a righteous show that’ll be sure to please the Corvallis crowd.
https://www.facebook.com/ilovelaurameyer
https://www.facebook.com/events/298466853676750/
Sunday, 21
Winterdance: Ninth Annual Celtic Christmas Celebration, Majestic Theatre, 115 SW 2nd St. $18 to $22
I know you do it. Don’t look at me like that, you know what I mean… Riverdance like a madman when nobody is looking. Well, here’s your chance to make a live debut (from the crowd). California’s Molly’s Revenge and guest vocalist Chista Burch with the Murray Irish Dancers (out of Portland) are going to melt some faces with Christmas songs performed with a Celtic flavor. There’ll be bagpipes, fiddles, mandola, and even a bodhrán , which looks really cool in italics. So cinch up your belt and get your Irish jam on, as the kids say.
Tickets: http://www.tickettomato.com/event.php?event_id=2665
Blues Jam!, Calapooia Brewing Company, 140 NE Hill St., Albany. 4 to 6 p.m.
Question: do you have the blues? We all do, check. Second question: do you play the blues, or enjoy listening to the blues? I’m going to go ahead and just guess “check” there, too. Since you meet the necessary requirements, this Sunday is a great opportunity to check out Calapooia’s ongoing blues jam. You basically just show up and jam out.
https://www.facebook.com/events/398883890275473/
Monday, 22
Pu’uwai O Ke Kuawa Heart of the Valley Hula, First Baptist Church, 125 NW 10th St. $5
Have you ever danced the hula? With a hoop doesn’t count. Try it the authentic Hawaiian traditional dance with this excellent community celebration. All ages, sizes and dance abilities are welcome to this event. Advocate staff plan to attend in the traditional Kapa loincloth, so bring your enthusiasm and your camera, because this dance is going to be fun, and the photo ops should be priceless.
Traditional West African Dance Classes, Oddfellows Hall, 223 SW 2nd St. 7:15 p.m.
The first thing I think when I get up in the morning? I need to shake my ^&@!# booty. Unfortunately, the way I go about this is… shall we say, self-taught. And not safe for public consumption. Thankfully though, there is a cure: a traditional West African dance class hosted by West African Maria Soumah. It’s accompanied by live drumming from Fefafe, and almost guaranteed to put your dancing itch to good use. Good use that won’t wind you in handcuffs.
Tuesday, 23
Community Movie Night with Ygal Kaufman, Darkside Cinema, 215 SW 4th St. 7 p.m.
Of Human Bondage (1934) starring Bette Davis and Leslie Howard, from the classic novel by W. Somerset Maugham. The novel, published in 1915, is considered by many to be the legendary author’s finest, and tells the semiautobiographical tale of a young man who follows his heart and finds out what that gets you in life… There was no bigger star than Davis, and she broke out in this role as Mildred, which was later remade three times, by Eleanor Parker, Cloris Leachman and Kim Novak, but never to the acclaim of the original. This searing drama is one of the finest adaptations of any of Maugham’s works, and remains the definitive film version of Bondage. As always, Community Movie Night is free and all are welcome. Donations are graciously accepted and benefit the Darkside Cinema renovations. The feature will be preceded by newsreels, cartoons and other vintage goodies from the year of the film’s release.
Evolution of the Mind, Dock 22, 151 NW Monroe Ave. 7 p.m.
Sometimes all you need is love. And when that fails, all you need is some bass, guitar, and vocals. And that, my friends, is what John Hroza and Chris Farrell of Evolution of the Mind promise to deliver. Though sometimes you also need a designated driver, so don’t forget about that.
https://www.facebook.com/prisonofthemind/timeline
http://www.darksidecinema.com/
Wednesday, 24
Dock 22 Open Mic Night, 151 NW Monroe Ave. 8 to 10 p.m.
Two folks by the names of Braden McDannell and Andrew Christiansen will be hosting this lovely local open mic at Dock 22 each Wednesday night. If you manage to roll off of your caboose in time for the 7:30 p.m. sign up, you too can harness your internal fortitudes and show the world what you’re made of… for about 15 minutes. Unless you drop your pants or something. In that case you’ll probably be cut short.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dock-22/623097847734265
Chinese Food & a Movie
It’s Christmas Eve, and you’re not Christian, or maybe just awesomely Grinchy. What are you going to do? Maybe try out one of the great Jewish traditions (which ranks somewhere between Rabbi Hillel and Seinfeld) and enjoy a Chinese dinner (it really doesn’t matter where) and then a movie (we would recommend the Darkside, but again, doesn’t really matter where). For the uninitiated, it’s kind of amazing. There’s nobody on the streets, the restaurant is nearly empty, and there’s no line for tickets at the theatre. Want to wear sweatpants and an Ed Hardy shirt? Fear not. Nobody’s going to see you anyway. Want to be loud and rambunctious and say things that would normally offend people walking down the street? It’s worth a try. Want to just walk away from your bill without paying? Not so fast, bandit. It’s Christmas Eve, not the wild west. But you will have fun, and Corvallis will feel like a ghost town… so basically, Lebanon.
Thursday, 25
Holiday Dinner: Mistletoe Magic, Chintimini Senior & Community Center, 2601 NW Tyler Ave. 2 p.m. $15 ($12 for residents)
What sounds better than a delicious holiday meal for the whole community to enjoy? Well, guess a delicious holiday dinner for the whole community to enjoy with their brand new free BMWs would probably kick it up a notch. But since that isn’t happening any time soon, you’ll have to settle for this event, catered by Taste of Aloha, which will include hors d’oeuvres, Turkey, Ham and a host of desert options. If you can’t stand your family, this is a great option… also, if you want to bring your family, you can, I guess.
http://www.corvallisoregon.gov/index.aspx?page=257
https://apm.activecommunities.com/corvparksandrecreation/Activity_Search/14599
Spending Time with Your Loved Ones, Your Home, Wherever That Is, Free Admission
This may seem like a cop out, but whether you celebrate the holiday or not, Christmas Day shuts down most American cities. Instead of straining to find something to do, why not strain to not say whatever it is you’re boiling with rage about, and instead just appreciate your obnoxious family. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I hate them too. That’s why I’m not coming to your house. But since you live there anyway, make the most of it this Christmas, and give the local economy a break. Merry Christmas, from the Advocate to you. And your uncle Hank, even though he smells funny and owes you $35 from 2003 still.
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