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Jake Shimabukuro brings his vacation uke to the Bing.
“MELE KALIKIMAKA!”
Our Christmas carols help set our expectations of what an idealized Christmas should be like. In these sound dreams, we want to be home for a white Christmas. That cozy family reunion against the backdrop of cold snow is great and all, but you know what doesn’t sound too bad either? A Hawaiian getaway. And while that’s probably logistically and financially unfeasible for most of us, the Bing Crosby Theater is bringing a festive taste of the islands to Spokane via two Christmas-themed concerts.
First, Maui native ANUHEA comes to town to share his pop-infused Hawaiian reggae to brighten up our dark December days. Like her 2016 holiday EP Everything is clear presented, its seasonal originals (like “No Snow”) and its versions of Christmas classics (“Silent Night”, “Oh Holy Night”) are warm like a tropical breeze.
The following week, the ukulele maestro JAKE SHIMABUKURO brought Christmas in Hawaii at Bing. This will be the first Christmas tour for the “Aloha Ambassador”, whose virtuoso playing has transformed what many consider a niche instrument into a tool for fresh sounds of jazz, blues, funk and rock. . Music icons recognize his skills, as evidenced by his 2021 LP Jacques and his friends featuring guest spots by everyone from Willie Nelson and Jimmy Buffet to Ziggy Marley and Bette Midler. Expect his own tunes to be mixed in with holiday favorites like “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “We Three Kings.”
Anuhea, Dec. 9 at 8 p.m., $29-$49; Jake Shimabukuro, December 14 at 7:30 p.m., $37 to $67, Bing Crosby Theater, bingcrosbytheater.com
December 3
A VERY WAZZU WINTER
It’s giving season, and A Very Wazzu Winter allows audiences to give back to WSU’s music program while enjoying the festive joy of its musicians’ skills. The event features holiday tunes performed by the WSU Concert Choir, Symphony Orchestra, College Singers, Crimson Ties (world music ensemble), Guitar Ensemble and more. While listening to the sounds, you can bid on silent auction items (ranging from Mariners tickets to the chance to lead the Coug Marching Band at a home football game) and proceeds will go toward scholarships in music. 2-4 p.m., free, Bryan Hall Theater at Washington State University, events.wsu.edu
December 8
JEREMY MCCOMB: CHRISTMAS AT THE COWBOY
If you’d rather wear a Stetson than a Santa hat, then Christmas, cowboy style, is probably your idea of a holiday party. Country troubadour and Nashville North co-owner Jeremy McComb takes audiences on a holiday celebration through the lens of the Dusty West – packing in familiar tunes, storytelling and a bit of cowboy poetry. In addition to standard admission, a limited number of dinner and show tickets are available for those who want to make it a full evening in the countryside. 6:45 p.m., $15-$35, Nashville North, thenashvillenorth.com
December 14
EVERDREAM: A CELTIC CHRISTMAS
For many families, holiday traditions run deep, as if they go back from generation to generation. If you happen to have some of that Celtic blood from your ancestry, then Everdream A Celtic Christmas could be a perfect dose of seasonal joy. The Irish trio (formerly known as Affinití) of soprano Emer Barry, violist Mary McCague and harpist Teresa O’Donnell are back on the road after a two-year hiatus due to COVID , so no one can be blamed if people end up dancing the aisles with enthusiasm. 7 p.m., $29, Kroc Center Theater, kroccda.org
December 16
LUCKY YOU HOLIDAY SHOW
The branch of the local music scene that frequents Lucky You comes together to share some common cheer at the annual holiday party. The event mixes an array of local singer-songwriters and musicians – Jenny Anne Mannan, Water Monster, Rosie Cerquone, True Hoods and more – spreading that Christmas spirit, while the overall Lucky You vibe le closer to the super cool Christmas party you wish your office could succeed. 8 p.m., $12 to $15, Lucky You Lounge, luckyyoulounge.com
December 17
SPOKANE JAZZ ORCHESTRA: A PEANUTS CHRISTMAS
No Christmas special is more iconic than A Charlie Brown Christmas. So the fact that the animated classic’s soundtrack is kind of equally loved because the cartoon itself speaks volumes about the timeless resonance of Vince Guaraldi’s jazz score. Transport yourself musically to that place of sonic comfort as the Spokane Jazz Orchestra performs these classic arrangements. *Warm and dim Christmas trees not included.* 7:30 p.m., $27 to $32, Bing Crosby Theater, bingcrosbytheater.com
December 17
MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER CHRISTMAS
There is every reason to believe that Mannheim Steamroller is the king of Christmas music. Led by composer Chip Davis, the instrumental neoclassical new-age band had 14 Christmas albums rank in the Top 100 of the Billboard charts, including eight that have gone platinum. Blending upbeat rock vibes with smooth synth infusions, Mannheim Steamroller have become the only band to have of them among the 10 best-selling Christmas albums of all time. Even nearly 50 years after the band’s formation, MS continues to roll. 7:30 p.m., $49-$94, First Interstate Center for the Arts, firstinterstatecenter.org
December 17 and 18
SPOKANE SYMPHONY: HOLIDAY POP
While we may get carried away with the glitz of the season, let’s not forget the simple joys of the holidays. When it comes to holiday gigs, sometimes the simple offering is the one that hits the spot. That’s what Spokane Symphony’s annual Holiday Pops concerts provide: an array of traditional Christmas classics performed beautifully (with the support of the Spokane Symphony Chorale and the Spokane Area Youth Choirs) without any need for gimmicks. I don’t count the fact that Santa Claus shows up at every performance as a gimmick – St. Nick loves hits. Dec. 17 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 18 at 3 p.m., $47 to $100, Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox, foxtheaterspokane.org ♦
