A special fortnight-long holiday edition of Arnott’s Arts Happenings, as the Independent takes a break. Lots and lots of bands out there, despite students being on break. It’s been an unusually warm December — crowd the clubs for all those holidays.
Monday, Dec. 21
Strung Out
Cellist Ravenna Michalsen and violist Bethany Wilder perform Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, and Albrechtsberger 10:30 a.m. at the main (Ives) New Haven Free Public Library, 133 Elm St. It’s one of the “Dignity Music Concerts” that Michalsen brings to shelters, soup kitchens and now libraries. Free.
Three Times One
Back-to-back-to-back singer-songwriters at Cafe Nine: Drew Angus, Seth Adam, and Chris Kiley. 250 State St. (203) 789‑8281. 8 p.m. $5.
Tuesday, Dec. 22
You’re a Mean One
The Wilson branch library holds a “Grinch Christmas Party,” with a screening of How the Grinch Stole Christmas (the TV classic, not the stupid movie) and a “Grinch craft.” Does it involve putting antlers on dogs? 5 p.m. Free. 303 Washington Ave. (203) 946‑2228.
Creature Comforts
Cafe Nine presents a new open mic opportunity, No Comfort Zone, at which “performers must perform something that is out of their comfort zone.” Interesting to see how folks will interpret that. 9 p.m. 250 State St. (203) 789‑8281. $5.
Wednesday, Dec. 23
Royal Rock
It’s the Kings and Queens of East Rock Christmas Party at Cafe Nine. Billy Calash hosts. Free food. Live music. No admission charge. 7 p.m. 250 State St. (203) 789‑8281.
Opus on Wednesday
Locals Ceschi plus Opus (the celebrated Dead by Wednesday drummer) are at BAR, 254 Crown St., for free. 9:30 p.m. (203) 789‑8281.
Dirty Devil’s Riot Hype
The Local Showcase at Toad’s Place, 300 York St., showcases Hype, Riot Kings, Dirty Devil’s Grin, and Kevin Sava. 8:15 p.m. $12, $10 in advance. (203) 624-TOAD.
Thursday, Dec. 24
Light Eve
The Fantasy of Lights drive-through outdoor illuminated art gallery at Lighthouse Point Park is open tonight from 5 – 9 p.m. to keep you in the Christmas spirit. $10 per car or van, $25 per minibus, $50 per full-size bus.
Friday, Dec. 25
Merry Christmas!
Very little going on today other than, you know, church.
Saturday, Dec. 26
Dirty Ditties
Potty-mouthed pop song parodist John Valby brings his “XXX-mas Show” to Toad’s Place, 300 York St. (203) 624-TOAD.
Hey! Remember the ‘80s?
Three Sheets, 372 Elm St., holds an ‘80s party at 9 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 27
Happy Kwanzaa!
A Kwanzaa celebration of “love, respect and community” takes place from 3 to 6 p.m. at Lyric Hall, 827 Whalley Ave. Free.
Knights of Joyful Noise
The Knights of Columbus Museum holds a Christmastime Family Day with music from “Joyful Noise,” refreshments and a post-Christmas chance to see the museum’s crèche and Christmas tree exhibits. Noon to 3 p.m. 1 State St. (203) 865‑0400.
The Bomb
Local punk stalwarts Lamb Bombs are at Cafe Nine, 250 State St., with The Natch for a free 3 p.m. matinee. The $5 evening show at the club is calmer: Wisconsin singer-songwriter Kirby Jayes, with local acts Sam Perduta (of Elison Jackson) and Swamp Yankee. (203) 789‑8281.
The Rapper, Not the Beer
Boston rapper Sammy Adams is at Toad’s Place, 300 York St., with AJR, Cam Meekins and Witt Lowry. 9 p.m. $25, $2- in advance.
Monday, Dec. 28
Catch a Frozen Wave
The Icepicks are a surf band from Maine. Let that sink in. Ride the ride yuletide surf with them plus The Jaws, The Clams, and The Palomino Brothers — surf or garage bands all — 8 p.m. at Cafe Nine, 250 State St. (203) 789‑8281.
Tuesday, Dec. 29
Listen to the Lyrics
Hannah Milliken and Doireanne Herold are an activist musical duo from New Haven whose songs “investigate the world and one’s place in it.” 8 p.m. at Cafe Nine, 250 State St. (203) 789‑8281. $5.
Wednesday, Dec. 30
Neato Tricks
Neato the Magician teaches kids some basic magic tricks 2 p.m. at Wilson branch library, 303 Washington Ave. (203) 946‑2228.
Emo Bar
The free bands at BAR, 254 Crown St., are all from Connecticut this week, from Southington and Hartford and closer to home. All have some emo characteristics. The bands are Tri-State Era, The Most, Guest House and Knife Garden. 9 p.m.
Badfish is Back
The Sublime tribute band Badfish is at Toad’s Place, 300 York St., with Inosoul, JG & Friends, Bruce 3 and the Revenge. 9 p.m. $20, $15 in advance.
Thursday, Dec. 31
Shubert Eve
The Shubert holds a “First Night of Funny” stand-up comedy show. Four comedians, no frowning: Joe Bronzi, Kelly MacFarland, Nathan MacIntosh and Johnny Rizzo. The show goes from 8 to 10 p.m., so you’ll be able to go home (or elsewhere downtown) to ring in the new year at midnight. 247 College St. (203) 562‑5666.
Off With the Old
Cafe Nine’s contribution to New Year’s eve is a 10 p.m. burlesque party, with sideshow performer Professor Mirollucci, magician Adam Parisi and belly dancer Elly MacLeod, plus striptease artistes Dot Mitzvah, Vivienne LaFlamme, Vanil LaFrappe, and Lipgloss Crisis. 250 State St. (203) 789‑8281. $15.
Shakedown to 2016
It’s a Shakedown New Year’s Eve Extravaganza at Toad’s Place, 300 York St. The Grateful Dead tribute act is joined by the Kazoo Crew Family Band and Stoned in America. The celebration includes party favors, a balloon drop, a champagne toast and a continental breakfast. $15, $12 in advance.
Gardner New Year
The Chrissy Gardner Band holds a New Year’s Eve Celebration 8 p.m. at Lyric Hall, 827 Whalley Ave., with Robert Messore, Tim Kane, an art exhibit, and more. $35-$45.
Friday, Jan. 1
Dark New Year
Dark Eyed Quintet does a New Year’s Day show at Stella Blues, 204 Crown St. (203) 752‑9764.
Woody New Year
Nationally renowned roots act Woody Pines returns to Cafe Nine, 250 State St. 9 p.m. $10. (203) 789‑8281.
Saturday, Jan. 2
Let’s MisBeehive
Christine Ohlman’s fourth annual Beehive Holiday Blowout at Cafe Nine is an unmissable collection of local treasures — not just Ohlman herself and her band Rebel Montez, but guitar master George Baker and his band. You can’t start your new year any better than this. 9:30 p.m. 250 State St. (203) 789‑8281. $10.
Zach’s Back
Zach Deputy makes another of his frequent visits to Toad’s Place, 300 York St. 9 p.m. $20, $17 in advance. (203) 624-TOAD.
Sunday, Jan. 3
Flower Gates Disco
Bristol-based punks Birth of Flower, Milford prog-metallists The Gates of Ivory, and Hartford’s hard-to-describe Disco Teen 66 are all at Cafe Nine, 250 State St. for an 8 p.m. $5 show. (203) 789‑8281.
Them’s the Jawbreaks
Local bands who’ve traveled and mature a bit return to Lyric Hall, 827 Whalley Ave.: Adult Mom, Blessed State, Spit-Take, Lady Queen Paradise, and a reunion of Jawbreaker. 7 p.m. $8.