Three to See (plus): The concert calendar is packed this holiday season
Peter Petty’s ‘Son of Hepcats Holla’-Day’
Jazz/swing/pop
7 p.m. Sunday, December 15
Elks Tower Ballroom
The fifth-annual “Swingin’ Yuletide Revue” finds tireless Sacramento showman Peter Petty reviving his 11-piece Titans of Terpsichore Jazz Orchestra and getting classy (?) at this throwback swing-era holiday soirée at the Elks Tower. Think fancy dress here, people! Petty will be joined by a platoon of guests including local rock standouts Th’ Losin Streaks, Gold Souls frontwoman Juniper Waller, soul singer Dana Moret, baritone Omari Tao, saw player Robert Armstrong, jazz duo The Freebadge Serenaders and burlesque artists Shauni Fatale DeVeaux and Monet Ha’Sidi. $30 adv./$35 door. www.eventbrite.com.
Rain Phoenix (opening for Pete Yorn)
Indie/pop/folk
7 p.m. Sunday, December 15
Holy Diver
Twenty-year veteran rocker/singer-songwriter Pete Yorn is back in town with a full band after his solo acoustic tour cruised through earlier this year. This time he’s brought with him Rain Phoenix, sister to Joaquin and River and formerly a part of the latter’s musical act Aleka’s Attic. More than a quarter-century after River Phoenix’s tragic death at age 23, Rain has released her utterly captivating debut solo record, the aptly-titled “River,” as a tribute to his life. The record is fraught with relentlessly intensive songwriting scattered across a sparse, blustering landscape of spacious instrumentation (including a Michael Stipe collaboration). $35. www.holydiversac.com.
The Blind Boys of Alabama Christmas Show with Nicki Bluhm
Gospel/soul/blues
7:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 18
Crest Theatre
As virtual gatekeepers of American music, the Blind Boys of Alabama have been an institution for more than seven decades, with their annual holidays shows (fueled most recently by 2014’s “Talkin’ Christmas”) joining the ranks of indelible yuletide traditions. The venerable group will be joined by Americana darling Nicki Bluhm, who is also in the spirit with the release this year of “Buon Natale,” featuring two holiday covers and three seasonally-themed originals. $40-$75. www.crestsacramento.com.
Bonus picks: Blues takes center stage
Blues/Americana/rock
Friday, December 13 and Saturday, December 14
Harlow’s, Sofia and Goldfield
‘Tis the season to mention more than three shows this week! Sacramento Blues Society is hosting their holiday party with “Southern fireball” Nikki Hill on Friday, Dec. 13 at Harlow’s ($25). Monica Pasqual of Blame Sally is releasing her debut solo album, “You Can’t Kill Light” at the Sofia (7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, $35). Over at Goldfield, the White Buffalo and Chuck Ragan have added an acoustic matinee show preceding their sold out evening gig (3 p.m. Saturday, December 14, $25).
Looking ahead: Wyclef Jean. January 25 at Harlow’s
The man behind the eponymous “Carnival” and the platoon of genre-crossing records that followed, Wyclef Jean makes a stop at Harlow’s. $32.50. www.harlows.com.
This story was originally published December 10, 2019 at 9:51 AM.