portland
thursday 11- sunday 14
Walking With Dinosaurs: The Arena Spectacular
To transport the show from one city to the next requires 27 semi-trucks—which seems like something out of King Kong, and shouldn't be surprising because they are moving 20 species of full-sized dinosaurs while, not quite alive, are as close as a caveman ever got to seeing one live. Includes, of course, T-Rex. 7 pm. Moda Center. $24.50-64.50.
friday 12
It's a Wonderful Life
Once of the best beloved films of all time, and a holiday season classic, It's a Wonderful Life gets the musical treatment in a production by Stumptown Stages. George Bailey's rollercoaster of emotions—from "What's the point?" to "You like me, you really like me!"—can only be made more dramatic when put to music. Let the dynamic score push your tender Christmastime buttons and feel all the feelings that Bedford Falls has to offer. 7:30 pm. Brunish Hall. $26-$43.65. Continues through Dec. 28.
saturday 13
Portland in Motion
Independent local animators show examples of their animations and follow up with discussion of the creative pieces. Moderated by Rob Bekuhrs, animation director at SuperGenius Studio, the shorts festival includes works of stop-motion, cartoon, abstract animation and game demonstrations. See the imaginative worlds that independent Portland artists can bring to life. 2 pm. Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. $5.
friday 12
tUnE-yArDs
World-influenced hip-pop music hasn't ever been as strange and simultaneously radio friendly as in the hands of tUnE-yArDs. With catchy hooks and bizarre and colorful looping, Merrill Garbus creates stacked and intriguing compositions. Performing with Cibo Matoo, (a band so '90s that they once appeared at The Bronze, the club on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer") alternative electronic, ambient-funk band led by a duo of beautifully strange women. 8 pm. Roseland. $25.
