Best Bets...Our picks for the week of January 18-24, 2008

Fifteen life-sized, mechanical dinosaurs perform as the stars of "Walking with Dinosaurs," at the Rose Garden arena, 1 Center Court, Portland. The theatrical show, based on the BBC television series, features 10 species including the Tyrannosaurus rex, the Stegosaurus and the Brachiosaurus, the largest dinosaur on display at 36 feet tall and 56 feet long. Show times are at 7 p.m. Jan. 18-19, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Jan. 19, and 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Jan. 20. Tickets $32-$69.50 through the Rose Quarter, 877-789-7673. Visit rosequarter.com.

Laura Schlessinger stops in Portland at 8 p.m. Jan. 18-19 to speak at the Newmark Theatre, 1111 S.W. Broadway, Portland. Known to her fans as Dr. Laura, the radio commentator hosts an advice call-in show. Schlessinger will dish advice and answer questions as part of a presentation entitled, "Dr. Laura: In My Never to be Humble Opinion." Tickets $47.75-$69 through TicketMaster, 360-573-7700. Visit pcpa.com.

Could William Shakespeare have possibly had the global knowledge to write as prolifically and as artfully as he is purported to? That's what Portland Center Stage asks with its latest production, "The Beard of Avon." It runs Jan. 18-March 8 at the Armory's Gerding Theater, 128 N.W. 11th Ave., Portland. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 18-20 and 2 p.m. Jan. 20. Tickets $30-$61.50. Call 503-445-3700 or visit pcs.org.

The Clark County Antique and Collectible Show takes place Jan. 19-20 at the Clark County Event Center at the Fairgrounds, 17402 N.E. Delfel Road, Ridgefield. The show features hundreds of exhibitors selling furniture, antique toys, Victorian decor, garden art, movie memorabilia, vintage clothing and jewelry. Appraisers will be on hand to identify and evaluate pieces brought to the show. Stop by from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Jan. 19 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 20. Tickets, $7, are good for both days, $3.50 for children ages 12-17, and free for children age 11 and younger. Call 503-282-0877 or visit palmerwirfs.com.

The White Bird Dance Series offers its first tango show at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 23 at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, 1037 S.W. Broadway, Portland. Featuring Argentine dance company Estampas Porteñas, the performance will celebrate tango's origins and its place in contemporary culture. Tickets $20-$55. Call 503-245-1600 or visit
whitebird.org.

Portland-based group The Decemberists takes the stage for a pair of concerts at 9 p.m. Jan. 22 and 23 at McMenamins Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W. Burnside St., Portland. The chamber pop group's latest album is "The Crane Wife," which was released in 2006. Tickets $25 through Ticketmaster, 360-573-7700. Visit mcmenamins.com.

The White Bird/PSU Dance Series presents work by choreographer Josie Moseley at 8 p.m. Jan. 24-26 at Portland State University's Lincoln Hall, 1620 S.W. Park Ave., Portland. Moseley's work will be set to music by Johann Sebastian Bach, Kate Power and the Beatles. Tickets $26 and $16 for students. Call 503-245-1600 or visit
whitebird.org.

More than 50 vocal and instrumental high school jazz groups from throughout the Pacific Northwest compete at the Clark College Jazz Festival on Jan. 24-26 at the school's Gaiser Hall, 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver. Main competitions will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 24 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 25-26, with final competitions at 7 p.m. each evening. The Clark College Vocal Jazz Ensemble performs at noon and 9 p.m. Jan. 24. The Clark College Jazz Ensemble will perform at noon Jan. 25-26, and 9 p.m. Jan. 25. Admission $5, and free for Clark College students and children ages 11 and younger. Call 360-992-2662 or visit clark.edu.

Beyond This Week

Feb. 6, Editors, Roseland Theater, $16, 800-992-8499.

Feb. 8, Misty Mamas, Fries Auditorium, $15, 360-696-6321, ext. 120.

Feb. 8-10, "Monster Jam," Rose Garden arena, $18-$25, 877-789-7673.

Feb. 9, Misty River, Skyview High School, $15, 360-699-1234.

Feb. 15, Bill O'Reilly and Lars Larson, Keller Auditorium, $21.25-$53, 360-573-7700.

Feb. 21, The Hives, Roseland Theater, $18, 800-992-8499.

Feb. 23, Harlem Globetrotters, Rose Garden arena, $18-$130, 877-789-7673.

March 7, Angels & Airwaves, Roseland Theater, $25, 800-992-8499.

March 14, Professional Bull Riders, Rose Garden arena, $20-$100, 877-789-7673.

March 28, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Rose Garden arena, $65-$95, 877-789-7673.

April 4, The Black Keys, McMenamins Crystal Ballroom, $20, 360-573-7700, on sale 10 a.m. Jan. 19.