Friday, November 18
Major League Comedy X-Rated Version
The Dugout, 3838 River Rd. N, Keizer
9 p.m., $5, 21+
Lonnie Bruhn—winner of the 2011 International Shades of Laugh Comedy Competition—will headline this month’s Major League Comedy at the Dugout, with guests John Green, Will Woodruff and Jesse Priest. Bruhn’s “X-rated” humor is probably not fit for television (like October’s headliner Ron Funches), but the line between being offended and being amused is fine, and most of his observational-style comedy ends up being pretty darn funny. When someone hears the term “X-rated comedy,” they make think of explicit sexual and violent content, but Bruhn’s canvas is much broader than that. Check out his bits on YouTube about “David and Goliath,” “White Bicycles,” and “Wii Suicide,” and see if Bruhn’s dark humor is something you’d like to check out.
Friday, November 18
The Lion In Winter
Pentacle Theatre, 324 52nd Ave.
7:30 p.m., varying prices, all-ages
But the Pentacle Theatre’s latest play is worth a shout-out. The performances begin on November 18 and run Wednesdays-through-Sundays until December 10. The play depicts the English royal family circa Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 1183, with King Henry and the whole gang. Ron Fox landed the part of Henry, and Monoplane and ex-Widgets front man David Ballantyne portrays Richard (there’s your local music angle). For more information, or to purchase tickets, go to PentacleTheatre.org.
Saturday, November 19
The Ty Curtis Band
Roxxy Northwest, 1230 State St.
9 p.m., $10, 21+
On November 19, local blues rock favorite The Ty Curtis Band will make its first appearance at Roxxy Northwest. Curtis frequented the Roxxy stage back when it was Lefty’s, and one could argue that the act blossomed at the venue—building up a large following before branching out all over the Northwest and beyond. That being said, this concert is obviously a sort-of homecoming for Curtis and his bandmates, and I’d bet that if there was a warm welcome they’d probably come back fairly often (wink, wink). It’s unfortunate for blues fans that two of the biggest blues concerts of the season are on the same night (see below), but two is better than zero, right?
Saturday, November 19
Acoustic Blues Harmonica Showcase
Grand Theatre, 191 High St. NE
7:30 p.m., $15 advance/$17 at the door, all-ages
Regional harmonica players Arthur “Fresh Air” Moore, Bill Rhoades, Jim Wallace, and Lynnann Hyde will visit Salem’s Grand Theatre on November 19 as part of the Acoustic Blues Harmonica Showcase. The four musicians have 15 Cascade Blues Association Muddy Awards between them (although Rhoades has 10 of them by himself). The night also will feature a “harp party,” where audience members will have the opportunity to bring their harmonicas and perform on stage with the Arthur Moore Trio. For more information or to purchase tickets call (503) 363-4013 or (503) 378-7704, or e-mail blueman@teleport.com. Tickets are also available at absolutelytix.com.
Friday, November 25
Scott Pemberton Trio
Boon’s Treasury, 888 Liberty St. NE
9 p.m., free, 21+
You know how the band “Cake” is kind of like deadpan soul and drunk funk mixed in a 90s college rock blender? Though they may not be influenced by the polarizing alternative band, Portland’s Scott Pemberton Trio could be categorized in the same sub-genre (is there one for this?). However, one glance at the band’s YouTube videos shows that Pemberton and company are one geek-tastic ball of fun in concert. They advertise themselves as a “great, alternative date-night experience,” asking their potential patrons to ditch the movie night and come watch them jam. Maybe SPT is the type of experience Tina Fey and Steve Carrell were hoping to find in the movie “Date Night,” or what you and your significant other should have done when you went to go see “Date Night”?
