Mid month music and a few more holiday shows

Ok ... make your list and check it twice for some live music to calm the holiday frenzy (or frenzy the holiday calm) ...

More holiday shows - 

Tonight - the annual Gospel Christmas concert at the Schnitzer (Saturday and Sunday too).

Tomorrow - The 24th annual Tuba Christmas concert will reverberate through Pioneer Square at 1;30 pm.

The Rae Gordon Group and special guests do a soulful holiday show at Jimmy Mak's ... 8 pm, $12

The annual K.M.R.I.A. show ... this year at the Doug Fir. While not exactly holiday music, it is an annual holiday time tribute to the Pogues from an all-star cast of Portland musicians ... 9 pm, $15

...  and Sunday is the 16th Annual Barfly XXXmas Party at the Tonic Lounge with the Paul Brainard Fun Machine ... 8 pm, no cover

Check my last post for other holiday shows this weekend ... and here's a couple more for your radar ...

An Appalachian Christmas with Mark O'Connor & Friends at the Schnitzer on December 22. I attended this one last year and it was a fabulous holiday show.

Aaron Meyer's 14th Annual Holiday Concert at the First Congregational Church on December 18, 19, and 20.

The Stumptown Soul Holiday Spectacular at Dante's next Friday, Dec 19, is a benefit for the Shriners Hospitals for Children. Featuring an all-star cast drawn from Portland's Blues, Jazz, Soul and Rock communities. Holiday favorites and deep cuts done up with a bit of Soul! The show features Ural Thomas, Karen Lovely, Reggie Houston, Steve Kerin, Dan Berkery, Jennifer Smieja, Kris Deelane, Michael Dean Damron, Peter Dammann, Heide Shuler, Peter Moss, and David Miller.

And a holiday sale this weekend to note - the Voodoo Catbox annual poster sale at Music Millennium. Check out some of the most stunning concert posters designed by Portland's Gary Houston. They make great gifts!

Tonight ... 
Early music?
Try Pete Krebs and His Portland Playboys at the Secret Society (6 pm, $5), or Joe McMurrian and Woodbrain at the Laurelthirst (6 pm, no cover)

Later?
The Sportin' Lifers Trio is at the Muddy Rudder ... 8 pm, no cover (and full band tomorrow at the Blue Diamond @ 9 pm)

My pick show of the night is the wonderful Alaska-based singer/songwriter, Emma Hill, who is in town for a CD release show at the Laurelthirst. Check out Emma's new CD, Danali. Small Souls opens ... 9:30 pm, $8


The high energy Western swing of the Barn Door Slammers will have 'em swinging at the Secret Society ... 9 pm, $10

Hillstomp, with Tango Alpha Tango and Jeffrey Martin are at the Wonder Ballroom ... 9 pm, $12

The Garcia Birthday Band will wear their holiday tie-dye at the Spare Room ... 9 pm, $??

Saturday
Early?
Check out Redray Frazier and Ezra Holbrook at Biddy McGraw's (6 pm, no cover), or the Mark Simon Quintet (outstanding band!) at the Tea Zone and Camellia Lounge (6 pm, $10)

Later?
Guitarist Alan Hagar is at the Muddy Rudder ... 8 pm, no cover

Mitch Kashmar holds a Harmonica Summit at The Lehrer ... 8 pm, $10

Sallie Ford and Old Light will pack the Wonder Ballroom ... 9 pm, $15

Now get out to some live music!