Thursday, 4
Casey Hurt, Cloud & Kelly’s, 126 SW 1st St. 10 p.m. $5
When I first checked out Casey Hurt, I was met by a sort of silly third person bio that, regardless of truth, tried a little too hard to set him up to be seen as a guy with blues in his blood. This, of course, turned out to be pretty goddamn irrelevant (as most artist-statement-marketing-speech is), as his live videos are fantastic and his command over his guitar as a living, breathing organism is just about perfect. I haven’t enjoyed listen to a guy kick ass on a strat like that in some time. If you’re into blues rock, catch this LA bluesman before he’s come and gone.
https://www.facebook.com/caseyhurtmusicpage
Rusty Hinges, Calapooia Brewing Company, 140 Hill St. NE, Albany. 7:30 p.m. Free
The Rusty Hinges are, by all points of reason, blacksmiths. They take a handful of rootsy instruments and just pound the living hell out of them into a highly listenable blend of what I think is best to just call music. Listening to their track “Tater Patch” makes me want to put on a pair of clogs and go to town on my mother-in-law’s new wood flooring. Regardless of what that may mean to a long since deceased Sigmund Freud, this is a great show to catch if you want to get a bit funky with your roots.
You can listen to music by The Rusty Hinges here: https://myspace.com/rhinges
Friday, 5
Randy McCoy, Imagine Coffee, 5460 SW Philomath Blvd. 7:30 p.m. Free
Randy McCoy is a singer/songwriter from Philomath. He has been writing songs and performing in the Pacific Northwest for over 30 years. His solo sets include many originals and some covers from a wide variety of artists: Blitzen Trapper, James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Eddie Vedder, Pink Floyd, Crosby Stills & Nash, Neil Young, and many more. Randy plays guitar, mandolin, and ukulele. Along with his solo performances, Randy is also a member of the Corvallis folk/rock/bluegrass band The Hunks & the Hottie.
The Santaland Diaries and Season Greetings: A Benefit for the Heartland Human Society, Majestic Theatre, 115 SW 2nd St. Friday and Saturday: 7:30 p.m.; Sunday: 2:30 p.m. $20
Say hello to Santaland Diaries and Seasons Greetings, two darkly humorous productions by David Sedaris. And by darkly I mean that both of these are recommended for mature audiences only. And by mature I mean adults, because if we get literal, I know quite a few 18 to 109 year-olds that still giggle at fart sounds. Trust me, we can smell our own. That was a bad joke, I apologize. Truth be told, if you can snag something even remotely related to Sedaris while contributing to a great cause, you should do it.
http://www.majestic.org/heartland-humane-society-santaland-diaries-seasons-greetings/
Saturday, 6
The Svens Fifth Annual Christmas Show, Bombs Away Café, 2527 NW Monroe Ave. 8 p.m. $5
The Svens are what any sensible music lover would refer to as a smorgasbord of very good things. Corvallis natives, they describe themselves as “cowboy surf poetry. Drake, Missouri, small town eight days off the Oregon Trail. Tongue-in-cheek pioneer surf. Suited for all ages, no one’s left out,“ and I find it impossible to argue, despite not understanding a word of it. A perfect blend of music and poetry.
https://www.facebook.com/events/630979480347548/
Moustache Basche!, Cloud & Kelly’s, 126 SW 1st St. 10 p.m. Free
If there were ever to be a party celebrating the history, wonder, and majesty of the mustachio, it would be in Oregon. And if it weren’t in Portland, Corvallis seems like a great destination. For the sixth year in a row, Cloud & Kelly’s plays host to such an event. Sponsored by Oakshire Brewing and the 4 Spirits Distillery, One Wub Sound and Lighting will also be there to provide the means to the audio visual ends. The event will feature DJs Heartburn—Alex Marine and Travesty. Bringing your mustache is highly recommended.
https://www.facebook.com/events/640035662779337/
Sunday, 7
Corvallis-OSU Symphony: ‘Holiday Concert,’ Austin Auditorium, LaSells Stewart Center, 875 SW 26th St., Oregon State University. 3 p.m. Tickets: $22 to $32
This Sunday’s performance will include “Blue Bells of Scotland” from Prior, “Prayer from ‘Hansel and Gretel’” from Humperdinck, “Sleigh Ride” from Anderson, “Hanukkah Medley” from Stephenson, “March of the Toys from Babes in Toyland” from Herbert and last, but certainly not least, Bach’s “Cantata No. 142.” The conductor and director of choral studies at Oregon State University will be there along with OSU Choirs and conductor Marlan Carlson. It will surely be a fantastic performance to help ring in the holidays after that spirit-crushing, post-Thanksgiving shopping spree.
Tickets: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?actions=3&p=2
Hoolyeh Folk Dancers, First Congregational UCC, 4515 SW West Hills Rd., 7 p.m. $2 to $3
From the horse’s mouth, “The Hoolyehs sponsor three types of folk dance activities: regular Sunday night dances, an annual reunion dance in the spring, and occasional dances with visiting live bands. The Hoolyehs now meet the first and third Sundays of every month at the First Congregational Church from 7 to 9 p.m. The first Sunday of every month has a Balkan dance emphasis and the third has an Israeli dance emphasis.”
Early on simple dances are taught, while the rest of the night is open to a wider variety, from couples dances to circle and line dances.
For more information, call Gordon Holcomb at 541-967-8017.
Monday, 8
Traditional West African Dance Classes, Oddfellows Hall, 223 SW 2nd St. 7:15 p.m. Free
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.
Science Pub Corvallis, Old World Deli, 341 SW 2nd St. 6 p.m. Suggested donation: $5
If you’re from Corvallis, like beer and science, and have yet to check out a science pub, now is the time. I mean that only somewhat literally, since I don’t know when you’ll be reading this. Fill your stomach with suds of delight with this event’s topic, “Treatments for Ebola: New Approaches to Infectious Disease.” It’ll feature research professor Patrick Iversen, who is a part of the Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology right here at Oregon State University.
Tuesday, 9
Corvallis Community Band Holiday Concert, First United Methodist Church, 1165 NW Monroe Ave. 7:30 to 9 p.m. Free
Are you one of those people that starts checking the AM dial for Christmas music way back in September? Well, then you’re in luck… even if that’s really, really weird and socially alienating. This holiday music event features the Corvallis Community Band and the Willamette Apprentice Ballet for all of your ring ding jingling needs.
Timba Tuesday, Impulse Bar and Grill, 1425 NW Monroe Ave. 7:30 p.m. to 12 a.m. Under 21 allowed until 9 p.m. Free
I’m already grossly out of breath after thinking about the West African dance classes from Mondays events, but I’m also super out of shape, so I’m sure you’ll do fine. The Rumbanana Salsa Group shows up on force every Tuesday night after their classes. Good lord these people dance a lot. Expect the best Timba, with a bit of Reggaeton and Bachata now and again. Tacos for $1, great music, fun people. Tuesday night has been begging for this sort of thing.
Wednesday, 10
Chuck Holst and Gary Rowles, Bombs Away Café, 2527 NW Monroe Ave. 7:30 p.m. Free
You may not have heard of Love, but you also probably listen to One Direction and Michael Buble. Connoisseurs of finer vintage legendary, however, will appreciate the insane pedigree going on here. Gary Rowles, Corvallis’ own quiet rock legend, played lead guitar with Love and the late great Arthur Lee in the late ‘60s, early ‘70s. Meaning he played on tracks with Jimi Hendrix. Let me repeat that for those of you suffering from tinnitus: dude played with Arthur Lee and Hendrix. At the same time. Go touch him and then never wash your hand.
http://www.bombsawaycafe.com/music-art
Open Mic Night, Dock 22, 151 NW Monroe Ave. 8 p.m. Free
Braden McDannell and Andrew Christiansen will be hosting the open mic at Dock 22 each Wednesday night from 8 to 10 p.m. Sign up at 7:30 p.m. Each set is 15 minutes. Come bring your musical skillz and help us bring some vibes to our great town of Corvallis!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dock-22/623097847734265
Thursday 11
MOsley WOtta, Future Metz and Third Seven, Bombs Away Café, 2527 NW Monroe Ave. 9 p.m. $5
Bend’s premiere hip-hop group is always an awesome treat to have in town. Led by nothing short of a brilliant lyricist, their music is edgy and progressive enough for jerks like me, and accessible enough for everyone else. Not a huge surprise from guys who quote Aesop Rock, Pee-wee Herman, and Mr. Bungle as influences. They’re possibly one of the best hip-hop acts out there, period, and will be joined by one-man cello act Third Seven and local Future Metz.
Deck & Slightly Rebellious, Imagine Coffee, 5460 SW Philomath Blvd. 7 p.m. Free
Because Corvallis, this Thursday at Imagine Coffee you’ll find yourself serenaded by a cappella group Deck and then face-melted by local rock ‘n’ roll enthusiasts Slightly Rebellious. Kind of like the sonic baby of Motorhead and The Doors, their performances should be on the List for any fan of local rock.
https://www.facebook.com/SlightlyRebellious
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