It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, so to help you get in the holiday spirit here at Sounds Local, I have assembled a short list of some go-to events that you’ll want to pencil onto your busy calendar.
There is something for everyone — from traditional Christmas music, to some rather untraditional holiday fare.
There are shows that will have you singing along, while, some will have you moving on the dance floor, and others will simply have you sitting back and taking it all in.
All of the events are selling advanced tickets, so you might want to consider purchasing them ahead so you don’t miss out.
Welcome Yule:
A Midwinter Celebration
Friday, Dec. 9, and Saturday, Dec. 10, at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 11, at 2 p.m. at Shea Theater on Avenue A in Turners Falls.
An annual tradition here in Franklin County, Welcome Yule is now in its 32nd year. This show is festive, filled with stories, dance and music. The focus is on the age-old theme of driving the dark away. This year’s show explores the tale of a cunning fox and a proud rooster. It’s set in a mythical medieval hamlet.
If you love traditional holiday music, you will love the wassailing songs and carols that are an integral part of this yearly show.
Tickets are $12 adults, $10 seniors and children ages 5 to 16, ages 4 and younger are free. Advanced tickets can be purchased at World Eye Bookshop, 156 Main St. in Greenfield.
The Slambovian Circus
of Dreams: A Very
Slambovian Christmas
Saturday, Dec. 17, at 7 p.m. at the Iron Horse Music Hall on Center Street in Northampton.
The Slambovian Circus of Dreams is a band from upstate New York that merges progressive rock, traditional music, folk and more to create music that’s been described as “hillbilly Pink Floyd.”
The group, which has a strong cult following, is known for its lively shows and a few years back, it released a Christmas album called, “A Very Slambovian Christmas.”
Since then, the band has played a handful of Christmas shows each year — and if you are a fan of the band, it’s likely that you already know about these gigs, as they are very popular with the group’s followers.
Expect a mix of traditional tunes, some Slambovian originals and a lot of non-traditional holiday music, as well. This promises to be a fun night.
Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Advanced tickets can be purchased at:
www.iheg.com, by calling 413-586-8686 or by going to the Northampton Box Office at 76 Main St. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m.
Llama Lasagne Holiday
Spectacular
Saturday, Dec. 17, at 9 p.m. at the Arts Block at 289 Main St. in Greenfield.
It’s always a special event when Llama Lasagne get together, as this Pioneer Valley super-group is a revolving bunch of players who hail from other area bands.
For this show, there will be musicians from such bands as Outer Stylie, LuxDeluxe, Fat Bradley, Rhythm Inc. and Rusty Belle — and that’s only a partial list.
I’m not sure how many musicians will actually be at this show, but we can be sure that it’s going to be a big band. Llama Lasagne is known for their theme shows, and they’ll have a fun take on the holiday season, you can be sure. There will be plenty of dancing at this show. Donations will be accepted for Toys for Tots.
Advanced tickets are $12 and are available at: www.theartsblock.com
Tickets are $15 at the door. This is an ages 16 and older show. Doors will open at 8 p.m.
Rani Arbo and daisy mayhem’s “Wintersongs”
This release party will be Sunday, Dec. 18, at the Parlor Room at 32 Masonic St. in Northampton.
Rani Arbo and daisy mayhem, the popular string band with deep roots here in the Pioneer Valley, have released a new holiday CD called, “Wintersongs.”
The band will celebrate and perform songs off the new CD during this special show at the Parlor Room.
“Wintersongs” is not full of your typical holiday fare — you won’t find “Jingle Bells” on this disc — but instead, this is a collection of traditional tunes, poems and more. The 13 songs on “Wintersongs” provide a more thoughtful spin on the holiday, viewing it as a time of reflection, with the goal of moving forward with hope.
But don’t worry, this is not all serious stuff. You can get down and party with songs like the celebratory “Bonne Annee.”
A Rani Arbo and daisy mayhem show is always a good time, and what better band to celebrate with for the holiday.
Advanced tickets recommended for this one — available for $17 at: www.signaturesoundspresents.com
Tickets at the door are $20. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Eggtooth Productions: The New Vaudeville Holiday Spectacular
Thursday, Dec. 15, Friday, Dec. 16, and Saturday, Dec. 17, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 18, at 2 p.m. at Shea Theater on Avenue A in Turners Falls.
The folks at Eggtooth Productions came up with the idea for this show when venues for the company’s Full Disclosure and Double Take Fringe Festivals became too expensive.
The artists the folks loved working with were multiplying, so they decided to combine those two events into this one evening. The result is the first ever New Vaudeville Holiday Spectacular, and it does indeed promise to be spectacular. There will be 13 different acts, actors, dancers, musicians and more who will each incorporate the theme of grace into their performances.
Of course, there will be lots of music, including Emma Ayres, Dave Fersh and Art Fuleihan, Joe Graveline, Nate Martel and many others. This is one of the “don’t miss shows” of the season.
Advanced tickets are recommended. Tickets are $15. They can be purchased at:
www.brownpapertickets.com
Children younger than 15 are free.
Sweetback Sisters
Country Sing-a-long
Christmas Spectacular
Wednesday,, Dec. 21, at 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church at 190 Main St. in Brattleboro, Vt.
Friday, Dec. 23, at 3 and 7 p.m. at the Academy of Music in Northampton.
The Sweetback Sisters Country Sing-along Christmas shows have become a holiday tradition here in the Pioneer Valley. The sisters, Zara Bode and Emily Miller — they aren’t actually sisters — and their topnotch backup band have been delighting audiences with this seasonal show for eight years now.
What makes this show so special is the audience participation. The group offers up its favorite Christmas songs, as well as all types of holiday music, and the audience sings along — loudly. Don’t worry, lyric sheets are provided.
These shows are so popular that they have now added a special afternoon family-friendly show.
Tickets are $16 general admission, $14 for students. Advanced tickets are available at:
www.brownpapertickets.com
The First Baptist Church is located at 190 Main St. in Brattleboro.
Tickets are $10 for the afternoon show and $20/$15/$12 for the evening show. Advanced tickets are available at:
www.signaturesoundspresents.com or www.aomtheatre.com
Parsonsfield:
The Holiday Acoustic Tour
Saturday, Dec. 17, at 7 p.m. at the Parlor Room on Masonic Street in Northampton.
The Leverett alt-folk band recently wrapped up a successful U.S. tour, playing 38 shows in 25 states. And since there’s nothing like being home for the holidays, it will play a special holiday show here in the Pioneer Valley at the venue run by its record label, Signature Sounds.
This show will feature a selection of holiday songs mixed with some of the band’s original material, and that’s not all — in a rare twist, it will also be all acoustic. Expect the band to include some selections of its latest release, “Blooming Through the Black.”
Advanced tickets are $20 and available at: www.signatuaresoundspresents.com. Tickets are $25 at the door.
Sheryl Hunter is a music writer who lives in Easthampton. Her work has appeared in various regional and national magazines. You can contact her at: soundslocal@yahoo.com