BEST OF PORTLAND POLL 2008

[April 30th, 2008]

What an election! Sam and Sho, Barack and Hillary, Steve and Jeff—when was the last time you an remember being this excited about voting? In that spirit, we’re jumping into the political fray and starting WW’s 2008 Best of Portland Poll a month early. We tackle the questions that really matter. Like, where’s the best place to drink in your neighborhood?

This year we’re taking the poll to street level. We’re no longer content naming one bar or restaurant the city’s best. After all, this is a city of neighborhoods. But we’re not so crazy as to pick a favorite bar in each of Portland’s 95 official ’hoods, so we’ve divided the city into 12 districts that make sense to us.

So follow the link below and take our quick survey—we’ve shortened it this year—before Saturday, May 31, to let us know where to find the best your district has to offer. We’ll make it worth your time: You could win a Specialized Globe Sport commuter bike from River City Bicycles, a $200 shopping spree at Powell’s Books or a day in a convertible Mini Cooper courtesy of Zipcar. We’ll also give a special award to the district that delivers the most ballots.

Happy voting!

—Best of Portland editor
Ben Waterhouse

Click here to take the Best of Portland survey! »

^Headout Picks

WEDNESDAY APRIL 30

[DANCE] SCAPINO BALLET ROTTERDAM

The oldest contemporary company in the Netherlands makes its PDX debut with bridal-party twists and synthetic turf. Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 SW Broadway, 790-2787. 7:30 pm. $20-$50. All ages.

[MUSIC] LES MCCANN

Appearing with the similarly soulful and adventurous Javon Jackson Band from New York City, legendary piano/organ/synth guru and overall jazz legend Les McCann brings the funk and soul. Jimmy Mak’s, 221 NW 10th Ave., 295-6542. 7 & 9:30 pm. $25. All ages (7 pm), 21+ (9:30 pm).

FRIDAY MAY 2

[STAGE] THE LITTLE DOG LAUGHED

Portland Center Stage boldly tackles Douglas Carter Beane’s mantastic comedy about a rising Hollywood star and his high-powered agent, who has her hands full trying to keep him in the closet. Gerding Theater, 128 NW 11th Ave., 445-3700. 7:30 pm Tuesdays-Saturdays, 2 pm Sundays, noon Thursdays. Closes June 15. $21.50-$43.50. All ages.

[SCREEN] PDX FEST

Peripheral Produce’s annual experimental-movie madness returns—this time complete with the first Experimental Filmmaker Karaoke Throwdown. Finally, amateur singing meets low-budget filmmaking. Gallery Homeland, 2505 SE 11th Ave. 10 pm. $7, or $40 for full festival pass. See page 83.

[MUSIC] STRENGTH

The boys of Strength put on an incredible show that is unrivaled in this city. And for what really amounts to, umm, gay Euro-disco, the band’s songs have mad hooks: the kind of hooks that get stuck in your head for days. Holocene, 1001 SE Morrison St., 239-7639. 9 pm. $5. 21+.

SATURDAY MAY 3

[MUSIC] WANDA JACKSON

Gracefully aging rockabilly queen Wanda Jackson staked out sexual turf in the mid-’50s that wasn’t occupied by other female artists for several years. Today, at 70, she can still thrill with that growl—mixing upbeat rockabilly numbers with country weepers. Dante’s, 1 SW 3rd Ave., 226-6630. 9 pm. $10 advance, $12 day of show. 21+.

SUNDAY MAY 4

[WORDS] WILLY VLAUTIN

The Motel Life author and Richmond Fontaine band frontman slays readers with his latest creation, Northline, a novel about a preggo woman who flees casino country seeking refuge from a skinhead boyfriend. Bonus: An exclusive CD with music scored and played by Vlautin accompanies the book. Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W Burnside St., 228-0540. 7:30 pm. Free.