It’s been an insane week, y’all. If you’re looking for some escapism this weekend, find community at events from the First Annual Gigantic Hot Dish & Casserole Competition to an N/A Fest at John’s Marketplace and from Into the Night: A Twin Peaks Prom to the Radical Harvest Craft Faire and Clothing Swap. For more suggestions, check out our weekly top picks guide.
Dog People Remind Like List
Portland is full of dog people. We are a city filled with dog parks, dog-friendly patios, pet behaviorists and psychics, dog masseuses, artisanal dog food brands, fancy pet treat stores, businesses named after dogs, and even dog-specific menus at bars. So it only follows that the local comedy scene has fetched us a canine-centric sketch show. Extended after a sold-out run, this “dog show about people” created by Michael Zimmer and Sofia Sullivan explores the most laugh-out-loud hilarious aspects of man’s besties and the sometimes outrageous lengths we go to for our furry friends. A portion of ticket sales will be donated to local nonprofit One Tail at a Time (the folks behind the foster-based pup rescue have a pretty playful sense of humor themselves). BB
(Kickstand Comedy, Ladd’s Addition, $15)
To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar Movie Bingo w/ Violet Hex Remind Like List
In this 1995 classic road trip buddy comedy with a campy twist, a trio of Manhattan drag queens hit the road cross-country to compete in the prestigious Drag Queen of the Year pageant in Los Angeles. Calamity ensues and said queens, played by Wesley Snipes, Patrick Swayze, and John Leguizamo, end up stranded in podunk nowhere with only their charisma and kitten heels to defend them. A delightful fish-out-of-water story and one of the first complex portrayals of drag culture on the big screen, the film holds up as a cult-classic romp that might be considered liberal propaganda (yay!) if made today. Maximalist drag superstar Violet Hex hosts movie bingo during this screening of the fabulous film. BB
(PAM CUT’s Tomorrow Theater, Richmond, $15)
How Long Jug Band Remind Like List
The How Long Jug Band plays old-timey blues, jazz, and ragtime with traditional instrumentation like a washboard, washtub bass, and actual jugs. Fiddle, banjo, harmonica, trumpet, and guitar also all come together with vocal harmonies to recreate vintage and obscure songs from the early 1900s to the ’70s. Don’t miss your chance to see these Jug Band Hall of Fame inductees perform a free show at Hopworks Brewery that promises to “have you dancing before you even finish your pint!” SL
(Hopworks Brewery, Creston-Kenilworth, free)
sad times productions presents Keysmash, Velcro Wallets, Sex-Ed, Jean Wilder Remind Like List
Looking for a unique night of music? California-based bands Velcro Wallets and Sex-Ed stop by Wyrd Hut on their Sex Wallets! Tour with support from Keysmash and Jean Wilder. You might want to chug an energy drink for this one, because Velcro Wallets makes high-energy prog rock tunes — often without vocals — and Sex-Ed produces an experimental form of screamo with heavy electronic influences. As for the rest of the bill: Keysmash is basically Midwest emo out of Eugene and Jean Wilder crafts meandering indie rock tunes from right here in Portland. The show is all ages and pay-what-you-can with a suggested $10 ticket price; I’m anticipating a night of inclusive rock with the occasional mosh pit. SL
(Wyrd Hut, Foster-Powell, $10 PWYC)
Time Rift with BLADE and Riastrad Remind Like List
Calling all goths and rock ‘n’ roll fans: Portland band Time Rift brings their guitar-fueled bangers to the Coffin this Friday. It’ll be almost exactly a year since the release of their sophomore album In Flight, which is full of soaring vocals and high-energy instrumentation reminiscent of hard rock bands from the ’70s and ’80s. Heavy metal power trio BLADE and stoner rock band Riastrad open the show, setting the stage for an evening of head-banging to explosive tracks. Stick around after the music ends; the goth bar will stay open for a late-night dance party. SL
(The Coffin, Buckman, $12-$15)
4 Palestinian Poets Remind Like List
In late July, a number of writers and local arts organizations penned a letter asking Literary Arts to turn down sponsorship and funding from financial institutions like Wells Fargo and Bank of America (“banks that profit from and facilitate the destruction of Palestine, that are deeply implicated in the global arms trade overall”). Now, a new collective formed around the issue says they’re intentionally raising awareness across the street at Mother Foucault’s Bookshop. The 4 Palestinian Poets event presents an opportunity to hear National Book Award winner Lena Khalaf Tuffaha, along with Philadelphia-based Ahmad Almallah, whose third collection Wrong Winds was published by local press Fonograf in 2025. Portland poets Jaye Nasir and Veera Sulaiman round out the bill. Mutual aid fundraisers Creators for Gaza will have a table where people can donate or purchase prints, herbal tea, and other offerings to provide direct aid to families in Gaza. Read the full story at the Mercury. MERCURY ARTS AND CULTURE EDITOR SUZETTE SMITH
(Mother Foucault’s Bookshop, Buckman, free)
Portland Metro Reptile Expo Remind Like List
The longest-running reptile trade event in the PNW returns to Portland with bugs, arachnids, amphibians, and all manner of crawly and scaly creatures — many of them for sale! If you’re not ready for a new family member, the event also offers pet products, raffles, and prizes. Admission is $14, and kids get in for half that, with free admission for those five and under. Maybe it’s because they’re snack size for the pythons? (Kidding.) SL
(Doubletree Hotel, Lloyd District, $14)
Radical Harvest Craft Faire and Clothing Swap Remind Like List
If you spent the holiday season shopping for other people, treat yourself to some local wares and goodies this January. This market from “creative production and pastoral streetwear” studio Knot Sprite will be stocked with handmade clothes, jewelry, accessories, ceramics, art, stationery, vintage and secondhand goods. Plus, the artsy event hosts live poetry and intuitive readings to cast the dye for your best year ever. Bring the bags you’ve been meaning to run to Goodwill for the massive free clothing swap and get a cheap and easy wardrobe refresh for 2026. BB
(Allgood Brewing Co., Richmond, free)
First Annual Gigantic Hot Dish & Casserole Competition Remind Like List
Hot dish isn’t just a genre of food, it’s a Midwestern way of life. Gigantic is celebrating the comfort food in all of its glorious forms, fighting off the winter blues with its inaugural Hot Dish and Casserole Competition. As they say, “whether you’re here to cook, eat, or silently judge while drinking beer — you belong here.” Folks who bring a dish get free entry, but admission is a mere $5 (proceeds go to the Oregon Food Bank!) if you just want to eat (real). The brewery invites participants to get weird — the array of classic casseroles to “questionable experiments held together by cheese” will be judged, and two winners, overall and People’s Choice, will be bestowed with trophies and bragging rights. JW
(Gigantic Brewing Company, Reed, $0-$5)
N/A Fest Remind Like List
John’s Marketplace is a boozy haven for local drinkers, but don’t discount its long list of NA offerings. In the new year, all manner of drinks will be flowing at this day-long festival which brings together top booze-free brands. Try alcohol-free beers from Best Day Brewing, Fort George, and Bero, or a Downshift IPA, La Trappe Trappist beer, or a Delrio blonde. Searching for a different kind of buzz? Taste hemp and THC drinks from Cycling Frog or CBD-infused cold brew from All Day Coffee. To top it all off, there will be craft cocktails from Curious Elixirs, ginger beers from Ginger Cult, and Phony Negronis from St. Agrestis, all available to carry you through Dry January. BB
(John’s Marketplace, Multnomah Village, free)
Isiah Driessen Remind Like List
Oregon native Isiah Driessen grew up in a soft-spoken family, so he took vocal lessons to learn how to project and developed a love for singing along the way. He’s since moved to Wisconsin and started making his own version of Americana — a haunting, psych take on folk music. Driessen returns to the Pacific Northwest for a free, matinee show at Atlantis Lounge and, according to his social posts, to “eat some mussels on the beach” (the musician is also known for his dry humor). If you want to hear more from Driessen’s musical community, check out Cedar Streams, a new Wednesday livestream series he’s launching out of his Wisconsin home featuring original music and short interviews from rising singer-songwriters. SL
(Mississippi Pizza Pub & Atlantis Lounge, Boise, free)
Nathan Earle + The Prairie Benders + Leo Moon Trio Remind Like List
Nathan Earle’s soulful, yearning voice conveys a depth of emotions whether he’s playing solo or with a full band. His narrative lyrics layer over skillful guitar, drawing from his experience as a therapist and a father to craft bluesy folk songs. The Prairie Benders support the show with earnest Americana-inspired tunes that range from heartfelt to tongue-in-cheek, evoking tears at one moment and laughter and whistles at the next. Brian Adrian Koch, who’s known for founding and playing drums in Blitzen Trapper, kicks off the night with contemplative folk tunes under the name Leo Moon. Nathan Earle and Leo Moon recently organized and starred in the Shrunk & White Christmas Holiday Special Concert Variety Show at the Showdown, where they debuted a comedy music duo with songs that reference “rare Labubus.” SL
(Mississippi Pizza Pub & Atlantis Lounge, Boise, $12-$15)
Into the Night: A Twin Peaks Prom Remind Like List
My log has something to tell you: Go live your surreal Lynchian fantasy at the Twin Peaks Prom! Dress up like iconic characters from the series (I gravitate toward Audrey Horne’s classic style) for a midnight costume contest. DJ Aurora will set the vibe on the dance floor with haunting dream pop, darkwave, and goth tunes… hopefully the playlist includes some Angelo Badalamenti bangers. Of course, no prom is complete without the photos, so step into the Black Lodge-themed photo booth and “strike your most cursed prom pose.” JW (Peacock, Buckman, $12.51-$15)
ALT AWARDS Remind Like List
Curated by the fine folks at the Portland Art Museum, Tomorrow Theater’s programming always gets a gold star. This winter, they present the “Alt Awards,” a lineup of films from last year that are influential, innovative, and (in their opinion) the all-around best of 2025. Some of the selections overlap with anticipated Oscar darlings (One Battle After Another, Sentimental Value), while others are less mainstream (Fuck My Son!, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You). Categories include most brutal, cover-your-eyes gore (The Ugly Stepsister), most tense family dinner scene (Father Mother Sister Brother), and best book-to-film translation (Train Dreams) — you can even join the book club and read Denis Johnson’s novella before a screening and discussion! BB
(PAM CUT’s Tomorrow Theater, Richmond, $15)
Hedwig and the Angry Inch Remind Like List
Adapted from a hit ’98 glam rock musical, Hedwig and the Angry Inch follows a genderqueer German singer who lands in the rural Midwest after a botched sex reassignment surgery. John Cameron Mitchell wrote, directed, and starred as Hedwig in the punky, ingenious masterwork of queer cinema. Haven’t seen it? Hop to this screening with a full beat, which includes a special recorded introduction from Emmy-winning makeup artist Donni Davy (Euphoria, Moonlight), who knows a thing or two about the power of makeup as a storytelling tool. EVEROUT STAFF
(PAM CUT’s Tomorrow Theater, Richmond, $15)
No Other Choice Remind Like List
Hallyu cinephiles rejoice: No Other Choice has finally made its way to Portland. Currently on a run at Cinema 21, this dark thriller, directed by Park Chan-wook (the man behind Oldboy, the mindf*ck from 2003), skewers modern work culture through the increasingly unhinged spiral of a laid-off family man, played by superstar (and Squid Game’s “Front Man”) Lee Byung-hun. An adaptation of Donald E. Westlake’s 1997 horror thriller novel The Ax, No Other Choice is as uncannily funny as it is deeply uncomfortable: something few, like genre-blending master Park Chan-wook, can deliver. LT
(Cinema 21, Nob Hill, $11, Friday-Sunday)
Great Train Show Remind Like List
Even if you’re not a millennial for whom this clip lives rent-free in your head, you probably like trains. They’ve been around forever, they’re powered by steam, and the miniature versions are really fun to play with. If you’re a hardcore enthusiast, a train-loving kid, or just mildly curious, the Great Train Show is definitely worth checking out. Featuring tables of trains and activities for kids, this show has something for every railfan. SL
(Clark County Event Center, Ridgefield, $12, Saturday-Sunday)
Major League Table Tennis Remind Like List
After the Christmas release of the film Marty Supreme starring Timothée Chalamet, we assume the popularity of table tennis is skyrocketing with Gen Z. In a stroke of luck, Major League Table Tennis brings its high-intensity matches to Portland this month. Cheer on the Portland Paddlers as they defend home court against fellow West division teams the Los Angeles Spinners, the Atlanta Blazers (what!!?!?), and the Texas Smash. See the full schedule of matcheshere. BB
(Oregon Convention Center, Lloyd District, $6.17-$55.63, Friday-Sunday)
Stevie Shao Solo Remind Like List
Seattle-born artist and muralist Stevie Shao’s illustrations have graced large-scale projects like building walls in her hometown to wearable designs as part of a Uniqlo collaboration. A longtime favorite of the gallery, Shao returns to Nucleus’ walls with a new solo show, “[reinforcing] an environment constantly in motion and filled with symbolism” with real and folkloric imagery rendered in bold colors and patterns. Stop by this Friday’s opening reception to meet the artist (word is she’ll have stickers on hand) and to admire navy line drawings on canvas reminiscent of the American traditional tattoo style. JW
(Nucleus House, Alberta, free, Saturday-Sunday; opening)
