We’re well into winter, but fun entertainment options haven’t slowed down a bit. This week we have some comedy shows on stage, plenty of live music, a big DJ dance party, and a J.R.R. Tolkien Birthday bash. Late in the week, dog show fans will be heading to the opening of the Rose City Classic Dog Show.
“Nervous Laughter”
Peter Lundquist wrote and performs this exploration of anxiety, resilience, and the healing power of laughter. He says the show is “about getting to the end of your rope and discovering that comedy can pull you back and help you get through the worst moments of your life,” according to a recent release. Brooke Totman directs.
Opens 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9 and continues 7:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays through Jan. 24, 21ten Theater, 2110 S.E. 10th Ave.; tickets $25; nervouslaughterpdx.eventbrite.com
“Dog People”
Kickstand Comedy offers a sketch show starring Michael Zimmer and Sofia Sullivan that dives snout first into people’s complex relationship with their dogs. Pet lovers and even cat people can laugh at the behaviors that come with being best friends with man’s best friend. Directed by Jason Rouse
8:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9, Kickstand Comedy, 1006 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd.; $15 online, $20 at door; crowdwork.com/e/dog-people.
“Heads and Hearts: Seeing the Landscape through Nez Perce Eyes”
OMSI welcomes a new exhibit that shows how Indigenous stories and culture show a deep understanding of geology and geologic events in the Pacific Northwest. The exhibition is presented by The Josephy Center for Arts and Culture in partnership with Oregon Origins Project and OMSI.
Opens Saturday, Jan. 10 and continues during museum hours through Feb. 16, OMSI, 1945 S.E. Water Ave.; admission included with general museum admission; omsi.edu/exhibits/heads-hearts.
J.R.R. Tolkien Birthday Celebration
Calling all fans of Middle Earth! McMenamins Kennedy School hosts an all-day, all-ages J.R.R. Tolkien-themed birthday party, featuring a costume contest, trivia games, and a full “Hobbit” trilogy movie marathon. Between the films, guests can enjoy food, beer and historic spaces in the venue. Tickets required for the movie screenings.
Events 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, Kennedy School, 5736 N.E. 33rd Ave.; free admission, movie screenings $8 each or $20 for 3-movie pass; mcmenamins.com/events.
Classical/Bluegrass Crossover Concert
Chamber Music Northwest hosts the superstar trio of seven-time Grammy Award-winning bass virtuoso Edgar Meyer, Kentucky-born violinist Tessa Lark and cellist Joshua Roman. The program stretches between Bach and fancy fiddling, and includes new music written especially for this inaugural tour. It just may be the sort of crossover you have been waiting for.
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, Patricia Reser Center for the Arts, 12625 S.W. Crescent St., Beaverton; limited tickets available starting at $77; cmnw.org/concerts-events.
Rose City Rollers 2026 season opener
Portland’s bells of the roller rink start their new season Saturday with two bouts featuring the best in roller derby action. You can attend one game, or stick around for the doubleheader.
5:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, at the Hangar at Oaks Amusement Park, S.E. Oaks Park Way; ticket start at $25; rollerderbytickets.com/events.
Tropitaal! A Desi-Latine Soundclash
Is moving more on your resolution list for 2026? Here’s your chance to get some fun cardio while dancing to Latin American beats combined with the rhythm of India. Anjali and The Incredible Kid are your hosts and DJs and have just celebrated 25 years of duo DJ-ing. 21 and older only.
9 p.m. (with a Bhangra dance lesson at 10 p.m.) Saturday, Jan. 10, Goodfoot Lounge, 2845 S.E. Stark St.; $13; eventbrite.com/e/tropitaal-desi-latine-soundclash.
Japanese New Year
The Portland Japanese Garden celebrates O-Shogatsu, the new year, a time of hope for happiness and prosperity to come. The Garden will celebrate the beginning of 2026, the Year of the Horse, or uma in Japanese, with family-friendly activities and performances. Guests can also admire kadomatsu, or traditional arrangements of pine, bamboo, and plum branches, made by gardeners. The schedule includes a demonstration of Japanese ink-wash painting and a traditional lion dance.
10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11, Portland Japanese Garden, 611 S.W. Kingston Ave.; admission $16.50-$22.50; japanesegarden.org/hours-admission.
Dancing out the Christmas tree
Is your Christmas tree still up? You’re not alone. The Swedes often leave their trees up until St. Knut’s Day (Jan. 13) and then make a big party out of searching the tree for treats and dancing it out of the home. You can do that too at the St. Knut Dance on Monday, Jan. 12. Enjoy traditional music by Fossegrimen, no partner needed.
7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 12, Nordic Northwest, 8800 S.W. Oleson Road; $15.
Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas
Alberta Rose Theatre welcomes back the Celtic fiddler Fraser and California-born Haas for their Portland stop on the first leg of the 2026 tour. Expect top-level Scottish music from the duo who share a passion for improvising on melodies and reconstructing and reviving the Scottish tradition of playing dance music on violin and cello.
8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, Alberta Rose, 3000 N.E. Alberta St.; tickets $37; etix.com/ticket.
Rose City Classic Dog Show
This annual canine sport and showing extravaganza offers more breed judging, agility, obedience, rally, trick demonstrations and dog-themed vendors than any other regional show held all year. That’s why it’s a must-do for dog fans and for the handlers and their canine teammates who work hard all year to compete at this American Kennel Club show. The event also includes “Meet the Breed” booths that highlight some of the newer breeds up for AKC inclusion or recently included. You can meet examples of the breeds and talk to experts to learn more.
Show hours are generally 8 a.m-6 p.m., but may go longer depending on the schedule. Opens Thursday, Jan. 15 and continues during show hours Jan. 16-18, Portland Expo Center, 2060 N. Marine Drive; admission $15 with discounts for multiple day passes and per family. Seniors 62 and older are free Thursday and Friday. Parking is an extra charge. Details: rosecityclassic.org/spectator-info.
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