portland
friday 29
Pearl Jam and Mudhoney
Reuniting grunge mainstays Pearl Jam—still headed by the forever flannel-shirt-wearing Eddie Vedder—and underground punk-grunge group Mudhoney, this tour aims to prove that the genre isn't dead, it's just been taking a nap since 199. The two groups represent one of the most chart topping and popular bands of the '90s and one of the most raw and authentic incarnations of underground grunge. The tour has already sold out the bands' hometown of Seattle at the KeyArena (which seats 17,459) for the Dec. 6 show. 7:30 pm. Moda Center. $69.50.
saturday 30
Rudolph—On Stage!
The Abominable Snow Monster of the North (aka The Bumble) of the classic 1964 stop motion holiday cartoon, along with the aspiring elf dentist Kirby and his best buddy the mutant reindeer take to the stage! Bad Reputation Productions, the theater group behind Road House: The Play! and The Lost Boys—Live!, headed by everyone's favorite I Love TV writer Wm. Steven Humphrey, crank up the Christmas joy and tradition to a weird and hilarious new level. Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 21. 7:30 pm. CoHo Theater. $20-$24.
monday 2
Alt-J and Genders
British indie group Alt-J's debut album An Awesome Wave, made just about every critic's best albums of 2012 list across the pond and here in the states. Between the four band members the group has three degrees in fine art and one in English literature, a dark and moody sensibility, a keen sense of humor as it relates to Apple's OS X and a British Mercury Prize. 8 pm. Crystal Ballroom. $28-$30.
seattle
tuesday 3
The Moth
What do Margaret Cho, Al Sharpton, Malcolm Gladwell, Dan Savage, and Lindy West have in common? They'll all be telling true stories live in Seattle under the guise of The Moth this Tuesday. The storytelling series has exploded from humble roots in a New York City apartment living room, to a nationally broadcast, intensely popular weekly podcast and live event series. If you like This American Life you'll love this. 8 pm. Neptune Theatre. $36.50.
