This week will drag you kicking and screaming into the Christmas season whether you like it or not with several big Christmas shows happening in the city.
University of Lethbridge based community radio station CKXU celebrates Christmas at the Slice, Dec. 11 with Cosmic Charley, Ruby Plumes, Mosrite Holiday and Sparkle Blood. Admission is $15. The show begins at 9 p.m.
There are a couple of more mainstream Christmas shows beginning with the Lethbridge Symphony performing at the Southminster United Church featuring Ye Merry Men’s Christmas and 5 Singing Guys chorus. There are two shows — 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 13 and at 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14. Tickets range from $25-$75.
Beloved Christmas musical tradition The Holiday Train is in town at 135 1 ave S, next to the Lethbridge police detachment on Dec 12 at 6:45 p.m. Performers this year include the Jim Cuddy band and his son Devin Cuddy’s band the Devin Cuddy band plus country singer Kelly Prescott. Donations will be taken for the Lethbridge Food Bank.
Local funk/ R and B and disco band Hippodrome are sure to be in the holiday spirit when they play their annual December show at the Slice, Dec. 12 at 9:30 p.m. There is a $15 cover charge.
In the spirit of the season, lots of live gigs this month are accepting food donations for the Food Bank for a discounted cover charge including Regina indie rock band Dagan Harding and local rock band the Mormon Girls plus local alternative rock band Fox Eyes at Inferno, Dec. 11. Admission is eight dollars or five dollars with a non-perishable food item. The show begins at 9 p.m.
And if you want to see a unique version of A Christmas Carol, local actor Andrew Legg performs his one man show “Dickens’ Own A Christmas Carol,” playing all 53 characters in the renown Christmas story. It takes place at the Geomatic Attic, Dec. 11. Tickets are $27.50. The show begins at 8 p.m..
There are regular open mics at Honker’s Pub at 8 p.m. on Friday and 3-7 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. And the Smokehouse has their open mic on Saturday as well.
The Blue Ridge Mountain Country Society moves up their monthly afternoon jam at the Moose Hall to Sunday, Dec. 13. Also on Sunday, Dec. 13, the monthly ukulele jam happens at CASA from 2-3 p.m.
There are some nice laid back gigs as well. James Moore has a new regular suppertime gig at Miros on Dec. 11. He will be there playing jazz music for at least the next two Fridays.
And talented guitar prodigy Fei Fei Du has a double date at the Mocha Cabana, Dec. 11 and 12. He will be playing from 6-9 p.m. each night. Casino Lethbridge goes country on the weekend as well with the Dean Ray band. That show begins at 8 p.m. There is no cover for either show.
And the Alberta Symphony Orchestra visits University Theatre, Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $25 for adults, $20 for students and seniors.
For something completely different from that, if you like rap, 20-year-old Surrey B.C. rapper Merkules is at Inferno, Dec. 12 at 9 p.m. Admission is $10.
There are also a couple of great punk and punk related shows this week. Vancouver based musician Big John Bates returns to the Slice, Dec. 9. There is a $15 cover. He has moved on from his metal and psychobilly beginnings, moving towards a weirder yet more ’70s punk influenced sound.
There is also an excellent Sunday night punk show with Arizona pop punk band Authority Zero at Inferno, Dec. 13. They have a strong punk pop sound and have lately added more reggae influences. They will be joined by Santa Barbara, California punk band Versus the World who include former members of the Ataris , Lagwagon and Crooks and Liars. Also on the bill are Calgary Celtic punks the River Jacks and local band the Space Wolves. Tickets are $15.50 advance and $18 door and $12 for students.
