HIGH FREQUENCIES: More of what’s in store for Christmastime

A handy guide for where to go and what to do in the city this holiday season

Hot Toddies Dahlonega Copy FIXED
Photo credit: Courtesy SBS Records
MAKING SPIRITS BRIGHT: Doug Kees (from left), Michelle Malone, and Robert Daniel Handley IV, aka the Hot Toddies, bring on the cool yule. The group performs as a trio at the Vista Room Dec. 17, and with drummer Chris Burroughs at Eddie’s Attic Dec. 21.

Well, if you haven’t yet got yer Christmas on, you’d better hurry up — there’s not much time left! Less than two weeks to listen to “White Christmas,” “Jingle Bells,” “Winter Wonderland,” or any other seasonal carol you want, without people thinking you’re demented. Such music does add something to this time of year, and, I’d certainly rather listen to it live in some club rather than with it piped in over a bad sound system while shopping for gifts. Personally, I think we should do away with exchanging Christmas presents with one another. Ever read George Monbiot’s The Gift of Death? You should.

Monbiot really makes you think twice about the custom. Yeah, yeah, I know, there’s that whole “but it references the Three Wise Men giving gifts to the Baby Jesus.” Right. It’s a way for merchants and thieves to line their pockets while you waste time and money on something that is going to end up in a closet. Or a trash bin. Better, just load the car up on Boxing Day Christmas morning and take everything straight to a thrift store.

Of course, without buying gifts, the stress level is alleviated, finding just the right thing for that certain someone on your list. We should give enough of ourselves every day of the year without the torment of piling it all on one specific day to make everything just right. For me, yes, I’d love to spend Christmas week going from one club to the next, hearing what the local angels herald on high. Or, maybe, just maybe, I’d stay at home listening to Bob Dylan’s Christmas In The Heart.

For those who just can’t get enough of the Yuletide song, whether on old scratched 45’s; dog-eared albums; shiny, shiny compact discs or streaming services, there is the live concert alternative. Rejoice in knowing you can find respite from the holiday madness at your favorite club, participate in toy drives and, in some cases, allow a portion of your admission help the less fortunate. Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Happy Kwanzaa, or, Happy Happy, going about your business in your own way.

Saturday, December 16:
City Winery:
Holiday Sweaters & Sparkling Wine Tasting Party 

The Earl:
Jeffrey Butzer & T.T. Mahony perform Vince Guaraldi’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and selections from Phil Spector’s “A Christmas Gift to You.” Plus, Chad Shivers and the Silent Knights, performing the Ventures’ Christmas Album.

Eddie’s Attic:
Robin Meade’s Holiday ‘Round Robin’ featuring “Sixwire.” Toys collected for Toys for Tots
— Early show
— Late show

The Mammal Gallery:
Unholy Night: Holiday Drag from HELL

Star Bar:
Toys 4 Tots Celebration, in association with the United States Marine Corps. Night Two of Two Big Nights - Ted Weldon’s your host for the evening, with Ghost Riders Car Club and a Whole Lot More!

The Vista Room:
— 
Royal Blues Holiday Celebration for Prostate Cancer Awareness

Sun., Dec. 17:
Avondale Town Cinema:
— Comfort & Joy: A Christmas Concert. A special collection for the Women’s Clinic of Atlanta

Eddie’s Attic:
— Rebel Union - A Christmas Show

Northside Tavern:
— 
Lola’s Toy Drive- All Day

The Variety Playhouse:
— Dave Barnes - A Very Merry Christmas

The Vista Room:

— The Hot Toddies Cool Yule Christmas featuring Michelle Malone

Wed., Dec. 18
Blind Willies:
Toys For Tots Drive with Cody Matlock

The Vista Room:
Christmas Crooners Singalong

Tues., Dec. 19:
The Fox Theatre
— Annual Holiday Organ Concert and Sing-Along, featuring the classic holiday movie, the original 1947 version of “Miracle on 34th Street.”

Wed, December 20:

Terminal West: 
— 7th Annual Holiday Hootenanny: A Benefit For Habitat For Humanity, with Larry Keel, Rev. Jeff Mosier, Johnny Knapp, Yonrico Scott, Gaurav Malhotra, Bill Fleming, Nick Disebastian, Kevin Thomas, Bobby Miller, Fiddlin’ Faye, Zebulon Bowles, Richie Jones, Jared Womack, Matthew Williams, Ralph Roddenberry, and Count M’butu.

Thurs., Dec. 21:
Buckhead Theater:
Ed Roland’s Winter Wonder Bash with Emerson Hart and Kevin Griffin.

Center Stage:
— Puddles Pity Party

Eddie’s Attic:
— The Hot Toddies Cool Yule Trio with Michelle Malone, Doug Kees, and Robby Handley

Mary’s:
It’s Glitz!mas - a drag show with DJ Silkwolf

Masquerade:
 Slaytanic Xmas: Yule Log, Legion X, Elzig, Iron Shroud, and Los Meesfits

Red Light Cafe:
Beatles Holiday Jam with Mark Michaelson & Friends

Smith’s Olde Bar (the Music Room):
 Carly’s Country Christmas with Carly Burruss, Aspen Anonda and Krysta Nick

Star Bar:
XXX-Mas with Metal McDonald and Friends

Fri., Dec. 22:
Avondale Town Cinema:
The Rainmen with Kitten Fontaine & special guests! (Rescheduled from Dec. 9)

Center Stage:
— 
Puddles Pity Party

City Winery:
— Kris Allen: Somethin’ About Christmas Tour

Eddie’s Attic:
— Joe Gransden Christmas Special with Francine Reed
— Early show
— Late show

Red Clay Theater:
— Banks and Shane Christmas Concert (early show)
— Late show

Red Light Cafe:
The Brookses Christmas Special with Emily Backus, Adam Goodhue, Ella Brooks and more.

Smith’s Olde Bar:
— Moredopemusic Presents: Yuule - Our 4th Annual Holiday Party & Toy Drive

The Variety Playhouse:
— ATL Collective presents Funky Christmas with Bernard Purdie, Fred Wesley, Marcus King and more!

Vinyl Center Stage:
Rockmare Before Christmas

Sat., Dec. 23:
Kavarna:
— Jeffrey Butzer & T.T. Mahony perform Vince Guaraldi’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” With special guests Chad Shivers and the Silent Knights, performing “The Ventures Christmas Album.”

Red Clay Theater:
 MATINEE: Joe Gransden Big Band Christmas Show - featuring Francine Reed!
— Late show: Joe Gransden Big Band Christmas Show - featuring Francine Reed!

Union EAV:
Santa’s Twerkshop with TFL

You can contact Tony Paris regarding upcoming gigs; noteworthy news, rumor, and innuendo; or, if you just want to say, “Hi,” at cl.highfreqs@gmail.com, since you already know he doesn’t read messages received on his Facebook account.

 






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