Dec. 28, 2005-Jan. 3, 2006
Wednesday, December 28
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 Thurs., Dec. 29 at 7:30 p.m.; Fri., Dec. 30 at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. and Sat., Dec. 31, at 8:45 p.m. and 11 p.m.
Beethoven's Ninth Symphony
Is there a better way to end a tumultuous year than with the hopeful strains of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony? The 171 years since the Vienna premiere of the composer's ultimate masterpiece—which includes the epic, climactic, primal "Ode to Joy"—don't seem to have produced anything quite as marvelous. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., 7:30 p.m. $42–$85 Also Thurs., Dec. 29 at 7:30 p.m. and Fri., Dec. 30 at 8 p.m.
Thursday, December 29
Mische Eddins + Bill Horist
Mische Eddins is a singer/songwriter and a bass/guitar player whose work focuses on purposeful pop songs with unhappy endings. Bill Horist, who also plays tonight, often collaborates with Eddins and produced her record Come Unwound. Seattle Art Museum, 5:30 p.m. Free
Sleater-Kinney + Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks + Quasi
Here's your last chance to catch the most changed indie rock band of 2005—girls with words and guitar to "Deep Purple," as we've heard some say—and this time, drummer Janet Weiss does double duty with Quasi, who we haven't seen in far too long. Malkmus fans irritated by his semi-performance here last month should keep the faith—this one's more rock, less talk. Showbox, 8 p.m. $15
Friday, December 30
New Fangs + the Trashies + Unnatural Helpers + Cardboard
In case you're familiar with the '60s Minneapolis garage rock band the Trashmen and you're wondering if the local band the Trashies are a take-off of them, they're not. Or at least we don't think they are. The Trashmen were thrashy and trashy, but not as trashy and thrashy as the Trashies. Funhouse, 9:30 p.m. $5
Water Kill the Sun + Wesafari + Dept of Energy
Focus those eyes! It's not Mark Kozelek's Sun Kil Moon, who'll be here next month. It's just another Seattle band "featuring Moog, Hammond, and guitar-based music with bass, drums and laptop." Check out their almost entirely new lineup here with instrumental wizards Wesafari and Robb Benson's Dept of Energy. Rendezvous, 10:30 p.m. $5
Saturday, December 31
John Arnold + Jeremy Ellis + Sun Tzu Sound
Detroit's Ubiquity Records has been on fire this year with releases from Breakestra, Platinum Pied Pipers, and pretty much every other nu-jazz, old school funk and "broken boogie" (he, he) album you'd want to own. This impressive bill has Arnold and Ellis performing 100 percent live sets that mesh the genres above and beyond—locals Sun Tzu, who ought to be on Ubiquity, open. Solid. Nectar, 9 p.m. $15
Blue Scholars + Wheedle's Groove
SEE SWTW, P. 31. Neumo's, 9 p.m. $15 adv./$20
Blue Scholars + Velella Velella + Partman Parthorse
Somebody's working overtime . . . and it's all good, since it means that the youngins' get to chill with Seattle's best hip-hop duo before they head to their old-funk-filled 21+ gig. At Vera, art-rock spazzes Partman Parthorse lure the base crowd in, before Velella Velella show off the sound of New Funky Seattle. Vera Project, 8 p.m. $10
Comeback: DJs Porq + F.I.T.S. + Colby B + MC Chompers
If at any time in your life you've scrawled a magic marker manifesto on a white T before teasing your hair and lip-synching to Prince in the mirror, then Comeback's New Year's Sleaze is the bash for you. This crowd is infamous for debauched times and raunchier tunes . . where's the Studio 54 moon when you need it? Chop Suey, 9 p.m. $8
Darude
Five years ago, the Finnish trance producer smashed the scene with his "Sandstorm," a pounding whirlwhind of build-ups and break-downs that whips drugged crowds into an eye-rolling frenzy. Which should be just about all the info you need on this party with Dallas Superstars, Sandman, and Austin Payne. Element, 8 p.m. $30/$80 VIP
Heaven and Hell Ball
SEE SWTW, P. 31. Consolidated Works, 500 Boren Ave. N., 8:30 p.m. $30 adv./$35
Hedwig's NYE Glam Rock Circus
If anyone in Seattle knows how to party, it's Hedwig—as played by local dynamo Nick Garrison, who took Re-bar by storm last year for a raucous run. Backed by the Angry Inch and joined by megaversatile actor/vocalist Sarah Rudinoff and the Bumbershoot stage hit Buttrock Suites (plus assorted glam-rock acts), Germany's most famous post-op tranny should be damn near unstoppable. Crocodile Cafe, 9 p.m. $20
Kultur Shock + Mercir + Kid Hops
Kultur Shock's collective features former Yugoslavian pop star Gino Yevdjevich and an array of talented gypsies from Japan, Bosnia, and Bulgaria, who happen to make shockingly good folk-punk-metal-whateva. They play with Mercir and DJ Kid Hops in the showroom; Awesome! and Miss Mamie Lavona and Her White Boy Band appear in the Lower Level. An all-ages afterhours features Jacob London, J-Sun, and Kadeejah Streets. Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1621 12th Ave., 8 p.m. $15 adv./$20 for single floor; $25 adv./$35 all access; $10 afterhours only
The Long Winters + the Village Green
They're not downers by any means, but Barsuk's the Long Winters are about the most chill band you'll find playing tonight, so they'll soundtrack your pity party if this year hasn't been quite the best. Afterward, the rootsy garage of the Village Green will quiet those voices in your head. Bill Patton and the Credentials open. Tractor Tavern, 9 p.m. $20 adv./$25
Monday, January 2
The Can't See
Featuring John Atkins (764-HER0), Ken Jarvey (Aveo), and Thomas Wright (eXBeSTFRIeNDS), the Can't See use pianoy (as opposed to keyboardy) keyboards, a jangly/gentle/jagged guitar, and swift rhythms to approximate Neil Young on holiday in London. This show celebrates their debut vinyl-only self-release, Coma Comma No More. Rendezvous, 10:30 p.m. $5
Tuesday, December 3
Broadcast Debut + Edisyn
Broadcast Debut's sweeping atmospheres evoke Coldplay while the lyrics lean toward the hallowed Northwest tradition of sap, which is tons more enjoyable than we're making it sound. Edisyn is a thoughtful, though not boring, four-piece that sounds more Tristeza than the Brit-pop they adore. Both are bands to catch—and watch—early in '06. Crocodile Cafe, 9 p.m. $6
UPCOMING SHOWS
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 Theatre
Jan 12 Voyager One + Mercir, Neumo's
Jan 13 Mark Kozelek + Sun Kil Moon, Neumo's
Jan 16 Peter Hook, Neumo's
Jan 18 Colin Meloy, Showbox
Jan 19 INXS, Paramount Theatre
Jan 21 Toby Keith, Tacoma Dome
Jan 25 Coldplay + Fiona Apple, KeyArena
Jan 26 Pedro the Lion + Ester Drang, Neumo's
Jan 29 Chris Botti, Moore Theatre
Jan 29 Imogen Heap, Neumo's
Jan 31 Of Montreal, Chop Suey
Feb 4 Bob Marley's Wailers, Neumo's
Feb 15 Bob Mould, Neumo's
Feb 18 Archer Prewitt, Crocodile Cafe
Feb 20 Cat Power, Moore Theatre
Feb 21 The Wedding Present, Neumo's
Feb 22 Il Divo, Benaroya Hall
Feb 25 Supergrass, Showbox
March 1 Animal Collective, Neumo's
March 4 Robyn Hitchcock and the Minus 5, Crocodile Cafe
March 6 Bon Jovi, KeyArena
March 7–8 Flogging Molly, Showbox
March 12 Dave Brubeck + Ramsey Lewis, Paramount Theatre
March 15 Electric Six, Neumo's
March 17 Mudhoney, Crocodile Cafe
March 25 Ministry, Showbox
March 18 Trace Adkins, Moore Theatre
April 10 Queen + Paul Rodgers, KeyArena
