THURSDAY, DEC. 18
GARAGE
MONSTERWATCH
Don’t believe the haters; rock isn’t in a slump. Enter Monsterwatch. Hailing from Seattle, for the last decade this band has explored the weird and wonderful world of the heavy fuzz. And as with anything good, holy and pure in rock ’n’ roll, Monsterwatch is even better live, delivering a sweltering stage performance of anarchy and psychedelic sin. This will be the best show to say goodbye to 2025 to with the middle-finger salute. – MAT WEIR
INFO: Thu, 8pm, Thee Stork Club, 2330 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. $12/adv, $15/door. 510.859.8709.
THURSDAY, DEC. 18
JAZZ
KASEY KNUDSEN, SCOTT AMENDOLA & MAT MUNTZ TRIO
Three East Bay improvisers convene for an evening of exploratory music when alto and tenor saxophonist Kasey Knudsen meets drummer Scott Amendola and bassist Mat Muntz. Marked by lyricism and melodic imagination, Knudsen’s improvisational flights have played a central role in an array of jazz ensembles over the past quarter century. Many of those situations have involved Amendola, a drummer equally effective laying down a propulsive groove and providing deep textures for other players to push against. Muntz is the wildcard. Since moving from New York City to Berkeley in 2022 he’s infused a bracing jolt of creative energy into the scene. – ANDREW GILBERT
INFO: Thu, 7:30pm, Wyldflowr Arts, 809 37th St., Oakland. $10-$20. 510.842.5055.
FRIDAY, DEC. 19
THEATER
A VERY SCRUMPY HOLIDAY CAROL
Imagine Scrooge being taught lessons from ghosts of politicians past, present and future. Well in this case, Scrooge is Scrump, and if you do a switcheroo with the letters, a very familiar orange king appears. Surrounded by his fawning court, Scrump begins a tormented evening of eye-opening consequences to his less-than-noble life. Filled with songs, clowns, comedy and a devilishly appropriate sense of humor this holiday event will tickle your cockles and roast your chestnuts. Spoiler Alert: Despite a huge dose of self-aggrandizement, ye olde Scrump might NOT be heading upwards when death comes a knockin.’ No babies allowed. Performance on Saturday, too. – DNA
INFO: Fri, 7:30pm, The Marsh, 2120 Allston Way, Berkeley. $20-$35. 415.282.3055.
FRIDAY, DEC. 19
FILM
‘ELF’ & PASTA
The 2003 film starring Will Ferrell, James Caan and Bob Newhart careens and cartoons around the life of Buddy—an orphaned infant raised by elves on the North Pole and now a too-tall, grownup elf. He travels to New York City in search of his biological father, Walter Hobbs, a Scrooginian man unaware he is a father and lacking any Santa-like spirit. Tickets to the show include all-you-can-eat pasta; hopefully enjoyed minus Ferrell’s real-life vomiting when filming one scene when Buddy eats candy and pasta. Slouch on the Parkway’s comfy couches, slurp up unlimited noodles and laugh along with others at a now-classic holiday film. – LOU FANCHER
INFO: Fri, 6pm, New Parkway Theater, 474 24th St., Oakland. $30. 510.658.7900.
SATURDAY, DEC. 20
JAZZ
DAGGERBOARD & ERIK JEKABSON’S WINTER SOLSTICE CONCERT
Trumpeter and composer Erik Jekabson, the force behind the Electric Squeezebox Orchestra and other projects, has forged a collaboration with percussionist and producer Gregory Howe, who runs Berkeley’s Wide Hive Records. Together they’ve created albums featuring jazz stars such as saxophonist Kamasi Washington, Headhunters drummer Mike Clark and bassist Henry “The Skipper” Franklin, often working under the moniker Daggerboard. In their next seasonal concert installment, the Daggerboard Chamber Orchestra + Jazz Quartet celebrate the winter solstice with eight world premieres for a 17-piece ensemble featuring some of the Bay Area’s best musicians. – AG
INFO: Sat, 7pm, Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St., Berkeley. $15-$30. 510.848.3227.
SATURDAY, DEC. 20
HOLIDAY
‘A JOHN PRINE CHRISTMAS’
Jenner Fox—folk troubadour, John Prine devotee and twinkly eyed storyteller—brings 1993 album A John Prine Christmas to life with his all-star band. Based in Bellingham, Washington, and featuring musicians from Polecat, Gregory Alan Isakov, Noah Gundersen and Petty or Not, the Jenner Fox Band makes music that’s cozy, uncluttered and full of quiet humor. Together they’ll bring together Prine classic and holiday oddballs (“Silent Night All Day Long,” “Christmas in Prison”) into a night of folk, laughter and that familiar Prine ache. – SONYA BENNETT-BRANDT
INFO: Sat, 8pm, The Freight, 2020 Addison St., Berkeley. $39-$44. 510.644.2020.
SATURDAY, DEC. 20
PUNK
HARRINGTON SAINTS
Harrington Saints carry the legacy of Oi!, the working-class street genre that emerged in late-’70s London as a response to art-school punk. Bay Area–bred, they channel that gritty, communal, football-chant energy into taut, hook-driven songs and pointed lyrics about fascism, gun violence and revolution. Across their dozen-plus singles, EPs and full-lengths, the band has honed a sound that’s both fierce and good-hearted—they’re unflinching in their honesty, but buoyed with an uplifting, collective energy. – SBB
INFO: Sat, 8:30pm, Ivy Room, 860 San Pablo Ave., Albany. $20.13. 510.526.5888.
SUNDAY, DEC. 21
AMERICANA
LUCY SOUTHERN
Jazz violinist Lucy Southern appears with pianist/venue owner Sam Rudin for a not-to-miss concert. Born and raised in the Bay Area, Southern was a member of the Berkeley Youth Orchestra and graduated Summa Cum Laude from San Francisco State University School of Music before moving to world stages. Awards and accolades stacked up, Southern founded the Gypsy Messengers group, sold-out appearances proliferated and a uniquely gifted, animated performing artist emerged. Which makes the opportunity to cozy up with Southern and her fiddle in the intimate Back Room a perfect holiday gift. Celebrate a homegrown talent, bring your favorite snacks and don’t leave the young folks out because kids under age 12 are free. – LF
INFO: Sun, 4 pm, Back Room, 1984 Bonita Ave., Berkeley. $20. 510.654.3808.
TUESDAY, DEC. 23
ROCK
TOM CONSTANTEN BENEFIT
This is the perfect season for Deadheads to spend time with loved ones, reflect and give back to the world while simultaneously twirling out to the music we all know and love. Despite playing with the Dead for the seminal years of 1968-1970 and recording Aoxomoxoa and the band’s first live album, Live/Dead, Constanten never received the money and fame that some of the other members did. This Tuesday his friends are throwing a benefit to help Constanten pay for lung cancer treatments in the best way they know how: with friends, extended Deadhead family, plenty of stories and music that never stops. – MW
INFO: Tue, 8pm, Ashkenaz, 1317 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley. $20-$80. 510.525.5099.
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 24
BLUES
ALVON JOHNSON
When it comes to showmanship, Alvon Johnson is a living master’s class in top-tier entertainment. Not often do you find a guitarist who is so valued in both the blues and jazz worlds. With a home base in Vallejo, Johnson jet-sets the world, playing internationally and being welcomed as royalty. Russia lays out the carpet to welcome the King of the Blues. Johnson’s ability to shift between genres is mindboggling as he also belts out everything from jazz standards to classics from his time in the legendary Coasters. From R&B to rock ’n’ roll, Johnson commands the stage with a chest full of awards, like a general at the top of his game. – DNA
INFO: Wed, 8pm, Yoshi’s, 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland. $29-$49. 510.238.9200.
