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Monday, December 15
The Nightmare Before Christmas Burlesque
Shadowbox Theater // 9pm
Tim Burton’s visually arresting 1993 stop motion feature “The Nightmare Before Christmas” is translated to the stage for a wonderfully engaging and unique burlesque performance at the Shadowbox Theater tonight. This is the last performance of this run, so if you miss tonight, that’s it for you! Join Jack, Sally, and all the other denizens of Halloweentown as they put on a Christmas celebration New Orleans won’t forget. I bet the ‘Oogie Boogie’ number will be awesome. Such potential!
Tuesday, December 16
Frontier Ruckus w/Coyotes
Gasa Gasa // 9pm
Michigan-based folk rock group Frontier Ruckus hits the stage at Gasa Gasa tonight in support of their latest album, Sitcom Afterlife. Local Americana/alt-country band Coyotes joins them. For fans of Justin Townes Earle, Grant Lee Buffalo, and Hurray for the Riff Raff.
Wednesday, December 17
RAW NOLA: Holiday RAWk
Republic // 7-11pm
This giant arts and crafts, performance, and artwork showcase at Republic features local artists, designers, filmmakers, stylists, musicians, and more. I have a feeling you’ll be able to get some awesome wild stuff here, as well as some nice, more standard things for your mom… all while enjoying performances and displays from some of New Orleans’ most talented artists. Complete info here: http://www.rawartists.org/neworleans
Thursday, December 18
Christmas Organ Spectacular
St. Louis Cathedral // 6pm //Free
St. Louis Cathedral’s free December concert series is coming to an end in just a few days, but tonight is one of the highlights of the entire event with beautiful Christmas organ music from the Cathedral’s young artist in residency, Karol Mossakowski. Traditional and spectacular.
Friday, December 19
Kool & the Gang, Cheap Trick
Champions Square // 7pm // Free
Oh lord yes, it’s time for another New Orleans Bowl on Saturday. But before UL-Lafayette tries to defend their New Orleans Bowl title against the Nevada Wolf Pack, Friday features all sorts of fan-friendly events, including a 2-mile ramp run through the Superdome. Friday culminates with a free concert from Kool & the Gang and Cheap Trick—a match made in heaven? Let’s get in the time machine, go back to 1980, and ask these two if they thought they’d ever play together. No? Looks like a good match now—celebrate good times!
Kermit Ruffins 50th Birthday Bash
House of Blues // 9pm
Basin Street Records star and New Orleans trumpeter extraordinaire Kermit Ruffins is turning 50! Join him for a night of revelry at House of Blues, where he’s sure to be joined by many fantastic musical guests.
WWOZ Birthday Celebration f/Davell Crawford, Ivan Neville, and DJ Soul Sister
Tipitina’s // 10pm
You know who else has a birthday today? New Orleans’ biggest Guardian of the Groove, WWOZ! WWOZ first went on the air in December 1980 and they’ve been keeping the flame alive ever since—still commercial-free, listener supported, and with a programming lineup unlike any other. Their birthday bashes tend to be wonderfully celebratory affairs, with Second Lines, Mardi Gras Indians and, of course, top notch music. Come on out and help the best radio station in the world celebrate turning 34.
Saturday, December 20
Irvin Mayfield
Louisiana Music Factory // 4pm
I can’t stop with the Louisiana Music Factory Saturday afternoon music events! Damn you for this great series, LMF! Just kidding, keep going. Forever. Please. This afternoon brings jazz trumpeter and bandleader Irvin Mayfield, Jr. to the store. Mayfield is a Cultural Ambassador for the City of New Orleans and State of Louisiana, and has been since 2003 when he was just 26. The prolific Mayfield has released ten different albums since 1998 and will be sharing an intimate set at this great music store today.
Sunday, December 21
Caroling in Jackson Square
Jackson Square // 7pm // Free
Caroling in Jackson Square has been a New Orleans tradition since 1946—catch the Christmas spirit and O Holy Night it up with hundreds of other people tonight. Beautiful and cheery—and you’re free to bring your own special hot cider.
The Amazing Acro-Cats: Meowy Catmas
Allways Lounge // 7pm
This show’s been in town for a few weeks now but this is your very last chance to see the truly Amazing Acro-Cats. Dogs are cool and all, but not that remarkable when one is trained. A cat, on the other hand—you know they secretly hate your guts and think you exist to serve them, so this ticket is worth the price of admission. Watch trained cats jump through hoops, walk a tightrope, run an obstacle course, perform in a holiday-themed feline circus, and perform in a kitty rock’n’roll band. Yes. Yes. Yes!
