Jan 1

The vintage Los Angeles band X brings its original lineup—including eternally sexy alterna-icons John Doe (left) and Exene Cervenka—to the Roseland for a night of rugged, romantic country/punk classics like “Johny Hit and Run Paulene.” 

Jan 9

Credit the MIAMI HEAT—by signing Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade, and, y’know, LeBron, they went from NBA afterthought to the most loathed team in American sports. Make your feelings known as the “Three Kings” test their hype (and hubris) against the Blazers. 

Thru Jan 20

The annual FILMED BY BIKE festival is on the hunt for bike-centric short films. With the deadline looming, don’t miss your chance to cross your inner Scorsese with your inner Merckx. (But if you need to ask who those guys are, do something else.) 

Fri Jan 21

GEN. STANLEY MCCHRYSTAL commanded US forces in Afghanistan—until he got a little too frank in a salty Rolling Stone profile. The World Affairs Council brings the blunt soldier to the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall to talk about “The Future of American Security.” Keep it clean, General.