congress bar and grill talking heads tribute bub- bas Musical Brews CoolSchool Concierge If you think your local brewmasters have just one talent, your beer goggles are a little too tight. Join Banded Brewing Company, Rising Tide, and Fog- town Brewing for The Fourth Annual Battle of the Brewery Bands at Portland House of Music on No- vember 8 as part of Portland Beer Week (Novem- ber 4-10). “This year, [the bands] will have to write an original song about beer,” Allison Stevens says. “There’ll be a panel of industry judges who’ll give feedback during the set changes, and there’s also a competition to see which brewery sells the most beer during the event.” High-flying acrobats soar to the magic of a live full symphony orchestra in Cirque Musica’s Wonderland. On November 20, Cross Insurance Arena trans- forms into a circus full of your favorite Yuletide songs. “Ex- pect a full multi-sensory experi- ence,” Rebecca Brait of Innova- tion Arts & Entertainment says. “With amazing holiday music” as a background, you’ll see “acts of strength, skill, and beauty from the world-renowned cast.” On December 8, Start Making Sense: Talking Heads Tribute comes to State Theatre. The eight- member band brings new-wave punk back to the stage. Jon Braun, lead singer of Start Making Sense, says audiences can expect “lots of dancing–both on stage and in the audience–and possibly a very large suit and a lamp as well.” Beforehand, stop by Congress Bar and Grill. From burgers to ta- cos and pasta, the menu is as di- verse as the DJ’s playlist at Bubba’s Sulky Lounge, where you may find yourself danc- ing through the rest of your night. So roll up your tight black jeans and polish those loafers, because you’ve got a date. Showtime! no v e mb e r 2 0 1 8 1 5 Ben Moore, courtesy photos, Cirque Musica Holiday Start Making Sense memberJon Braun says his band plays over 85-percent of theTalking Heads song cata- log,so fans are likely to hear a favorite or two. The Down East Ski Sale and Winter Expo slides in November 24 at Portland Expo with deals galore for all you ski bums. “It’s our 52nd or 53rd sale,” says Tom Bull, com- mittee chair of Down East Ski Club, in its 80th year. “Families can outfit themselves for the season without breaking the bank.” To sell your gear, register on November 23 and be entered to win a $50 gift certificate to the sale.