Dec. 21-27, 2005
Wednesday, December 21
Eldar Djangirov
A piano prodigy who started recording as a leader in his midteens, 17-year-old Djangirov signed with Sony Classical in 2004 for his third and current album Eldar—continuing to build his name on a trademark mash of bebop, hard-bop, and swing. Dimitriou's Jazz Alley, 7:30 p.m. $22.50 Also Thurs., Dec. 22, and Fri., Dec. 23, at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.
DV One + DJ Nostalgia B: Christmas Sweater Party
Some people will do anything to make an extra buck this season. Yo! Son's DV One and DJ Nostalgia B are betting on the Grinches tonight, because everyone not wearing a spangled, puff-painted or otherwise festive sweater to this free party has to shell out $20. Ha! War Room, Free with festive sweater/$20
Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks
Hicks and his troupe of folk-rock humorists the Hot Licks found success in the early '70s and have been cult hits ever since—this week recounting a "Holiday in Hicksville" for those stuck in the city (damn!) this Christmas. Triple Door, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. $20 adv./$22 Also Thurs., Dec. 22
Holiday Swing with the Count Basie Orchestra
No one swung harder than the Basie band, so don't expect that to change. A nice holiday treat for fans of lush arrangements and rhythmic jaunt. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., 206-215-4800, 7:30 p.m. $16–$55
Sera Cahoone
Cahoone has played drums for Carissa's Wierd, Patrick Park, and Band of Horses, but she shines as a singer-songwriter—one of the few with something to say and the elegant means to convey it. Neumo's JuJu Stage, 11 p.m. Free
Unexpected Arrival + Ricky Pharoe + Tru ID + Cash Carter + Content + Grynch + DJ Stylz
If you're in the mood for some up-and-coming hip-hop, this bill is a pretty good preholiday bet, notably Grynch, whose new album is This Is What I Do. Chop Suey, 8 p.m. $10
Thursday, December 22
Donald Glaude
Celebrate the Seattle-bred house giant's birthday along with the Lost Boys and Marty Mar. Last Supper Club, 10 p.m. Free
Katharina Tunicata + Soul Food Pinata
Don't be fooled by the exotic name of the first performer at Wall of Sound's holiday party (actually named for a coastal herbivore)—there may be humans performing the music, but like many experimental musicians the store's associated with, their most expressive language likely uses few words. Rendezvous, 10 p.m. NC
The Senate Arcade + Speaker Speaker
Call 'em whatever you want—post-Slint metallic indie with hints of math rock and emo, for example—but local trio the Senate Arcade sound strictly like themselves, and are good at it. Speaker Speaker, meanwhile, play combustible pop-rock. Juhu Beach and White Gold open. Chop Suey, 8 p.m. $6
The Turn-Ons
With walls of pretty guitar noise, dreamy textures, postmodern dime-store romance novel narratives, and dense rhythms, the Turn-Ons have been creating warm, dreamy pop for nearly eight years, yet it never seems stale. Neumo's, 11 p.m. Free
Velella Velella
The local electronicats' new Bay of Biscay is one of the top Seattle electronic releases of the year—and 2005 wasn't exactly shy on good local electronica. Mu Meson and Poison Dark open. High Dive, 9 p.m. $5
Friday, December 23
Big Business farewell show + the Ruby Doe + Akimbo
Yep, the roaring local duo Big Business is leaving us for L.A., where they will (a) continue as themselves and (b) join the Melvins, which ought to melt a few heads. So will openers the Ruby Doe and especially crunch-metal titans Akimbo. Neumo's, 8 p.m. $8 adv./$10
Ghost Stories + the Elephants (CD release)
Local trio Three Imaginary Girls' news-and-reviews Web site is an indispensable source for Northwest musicians and music-lovers; celebrate co-founder Liz's birthday with Blue Checkered Record Player, DJ Corianton, and . . . Indie Rock Santa, of course. Crocodile, 9 p.m. $6
Go Like Hell + Drag Strip Riot + Beat Senseless
Here's a "Winter Yahoo" party sponsored by Disheveled magazine and featuring three great, loud bands—arguably your best bet for punk 'til the new year. Chop Suey, 9 p.m. $8
Gary Reynolds and the Brides of Obscurity + the Bourbonites + Ian McFeron
Finding quality shows to attend this week is a tricky task, but here's one of your best bets: Reynolds and his Brides supporting their classic pop–flavored Instant Happiness, along with frequent and perfectly matched bill-mates the Bourbonites and McFeron (performing solo). Tractor Tavern, 9 p.m. $8
Sleigher
All we know about this show is that it's "From the ones who brought you Def Leprechaun," and, frankly, that's all we—or you—need to know. Sunset Tavern, 9 p.m. $5
Saturday, December 24
Bushwick Bill
The once and former Geto Boy helped make the late-2004 Foundation that rarest of things—a rap reunion album that didn't suck, that was, in fact, quite good. Count on his portions of that Houston group's catalog, plus some solo hits like 1992's "Ever So Clear." Fysion ft. Tylo and Roscoe, Intrinzik, Tragedy and Q-Loc, Bloodshot, and Unexpected Arrival open. El Corazon, 6:30 p.m. $10 adv./$13
Tuesday, December 27
The Intelligence
When an Intelligence show falls on a calendar square near a major holiday, be assured you'll get the full-meal deal. S.F. resident/guitar player (and former Popular Shapes frontman) Nicholas Brawley will be in town, the house will rock, and many people will party too much. Neumo's, 8 p.m. Free
The Pharmacy + Holy Ghost Revival + the Divorce
Stressed from the holidays? This rackety bill might not soothe you, but its volume should drown out the sound of your nagging mother's voice pretty well. DJ Colby and DJ Paco also play. Chop Suey, 9 p.m. $6
Ernestine Anderson
One of jazz's great vocal stylists, Seattle legend Anderson counts down to 2006 with her trio (bassist Jeff Johnson, drummer Joe Poole, and pianist Taylor Eigsti); each date with Houston Person on saxophone. Dimitriou's Jazz Alley, 7:30 p.m. $22.50–$130.50 Also Wed., Dec. 28–Sat. Dec. 31 E
UPCOMING SHOWS
Dec 30 Camper Van Beethoven + Cracker, Crocodile Cafe
Dec 30 Harvey Danger, Chop Suey
Dec 31 Maktub, Showbox
Jan 5 The Helio Sequence, Chop Suey
Jan 5 Vendetta Red, Neumo's
Jan 7 Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Emerald Queen Casino
Jan 7 Disturbed, Paramount
Jan 18 Colin Meloy, Showbox
Jan 19 INXS, Paramount
Jan 21 Toby Keith, Tacoma Dome
Jan 25 Coldplay + Fiona Apple, KeyArena
Jan 29 Chris Botti, Moore Theatre
Jan 31 Of Montreal, Chop Suey
Feb 22 Il Divo, Benaroya Hall
Feb 25 Supergrass, Showbox
March 6 Bon Jovi, KeyArena
March 7–8 Flogging Molly, Showbox
March 25 Ministry, Showbox
March 18 Trace Adkins, Moore Theatre
April 10 Queen + Paul Rodgers, KeyArena
