Music

Mark O’Connor The master fiddler (and Suzuki skeptic) presents “An Appalachian Christmas.” Meany Hall for the Performing Arts, UW Campus, Seattle, WA 98105 $10-$55 Sunday, December 21, 2014, 7pm

• 

Patti LaBelle Patti LaBelle, aka the “Godmother of Soul,” has earned her title and then some. The singer’s 50-year-plus career includes an extensive discography through work with the BlueBells, as a solo artist, on Broadway and film, and, earlier this year, in American Horror Story: Freak Show, plus numerous awards and nominations for both singing and acting, including nine lifetime-achievement awards from different organizations. But is anyone really surprised that LaBelle has had such a distinguished career? Her voice is unbelievably powerful, yet she makes singing with so much emotion sound effortless. Long live the Godmother. 21 and over. Snoqualmie Casino, 37500 S.E. North Bend Way, Snoqualmie, WA 98065 $40 and up Sunday, December 21, 2014, 8pm

• 

Porter Ray Ishmael Butler’s first official Sub Pop signee, Porter Ray, is adding another voice to Seattle’s experimental hip-hop sound with his latest, Fundamentals, the follow-up to the trilogy of BLK GLD, WHT GLD, and RSE GLD. On Fundamentals, soul samples accompany Ray as he raps about the highs and lows of life, including his relationships, drug use, and his brother’s death. There’s no sugarcoating, but Ray’s conversational cadence makes each story worth listening to. With Romaro Franceswa. All ages. The Crocodile, 2200 Second Ave., Seattle WA 98121 $10 Sunday, December 21, 2014, 8pm

Straight No Chaser All Ages. The Paramount, 911 Pine St, Seattle, WA 98101 $29.50 – $59.50 adv./All seats $2 higher DOS Friday, December 26, 2014, 7:30pm