Evidence of good talent

If you take one experienced student director and add four talented student actors and one intimate stage, the mathematical result is enjoyment, at least in the case of Proof, one of the PSU Theatre Department’s winter productions.

Sugar, spice, and everything nice

Brewers like nothing better than an excuse to whip up more batches of beer, so it’s only natural that the holidays and the new year mark the season where loads of new kegs get tapped. A lot of beers came out in late December and more are coming this month. For a taste of everything delicious, local and fermented, here’s a list of new releases from local breweries.

New beers for a new year

As Christmas trees hit the sidewalks come early January, so do some beloved seasonal ales take their leave. Today, Deschutes Brewery says farewell to its Cinder Cone Red Ale, which has been an annual staple of the brewery’s seasonal beers since 2003.

Drinking through the holidays

As the school term comes to an end, what better way to celebrate the holidays than by heading downtown to the Holiday Ale Festival to try out all the new seasonal beers? Sure, finals are still lurking next week, but this annual festival is a good excuse for a study break.

Wining and dining post-Turkey Day

This weekend, over 160 wineries and tasting rooms in the Willamette Valley will be open and hosting special tastings. Put on by the Willamette Valley Wineries Association, this year’s Wine Country Thanksgiving will provide an opportunity to get the relatives out of the house and tempt mom into stocking the family’s cellar with lots of delicious local wines.

Melt n your Mouth

The trick to success in the world of sandwiches is to stand out from the rest with superb ingredients, service and atmosphere. Melt, a new sandwich shop on Northwest 21st Avenue, is out to do just that.

Beyond the grease

Sure, greasy bar food can sound tasty after a night of drinking, but so does a 7-Eleven MSG-injected hot dog that’s been rotating on metal tubes for two days. Treat yourself better than that. These are some spots where you’ll find good drinks and good food.

Gypsy punk on screen

A music documentary film, Gogol Bordello Non-Stop, comes to town this weekend to offer a taste of the band’s history, sound and high-energy stage performances. It’s like going to a Gogol Bordello show, except that audiences tend to sit through films rather than dance wildly around the room.

Burlesque acts and acrobats

Burlesque dancer Nico Bella calls her idea “the $20 bill night.” In a quest to create a reasonably priced night out on the town, Bella started Fleur de Lethal Cinematheque Presents, a monthly show at the Bagdad Theater that provides exceptional entertainment followed by an equally exceptional flick. This month it’s that good old classic, Cabaret.

Crafty thinking

If friends and relatives are getting sick of the Christmas scarves you knit them every year, maybe it’s time to check out what some highly talented local artisans are creating at this year’s Second Annual Downtown Holiday Artisans Fair. This event is more than a chance to get an early start on some unique handmade gifts—it’s also a way to see what local crafters are making and to support them.

Black culture hits the silver screen

This must be the season for film festivals. From the Northwest Film and Video Festival to the amateur porn festival HUMP!, the past few months have been heaven for film geeks. This week is no exception as the Portland African American Film Festival joins the herd and takes on an underrepresented genre.