Sound Notes Pick o’ The Week

The world is a slightly less groovy place now that jazz legend Dave Brubeck shuffled off this mortal coil on Dec. 5. Whether you stick to standards like “Take Five” and “The Duke,” or you choose to go deeper into this catalogue, I’d encourage everyone to hop on iTunes or YouTube and give the man a listen. Better late than never.                 

The Civic Center has announced the lineup for its 2013 “Live at the Temple” series, anchored this year by folk legend Arlo Guthrie on Wednesday, March 27. Season tickets for all five of the series shows are now on sale for $180 and can be purchased at www.civiccenter.org or at the Civic Center ticket office. Soundnotes will print more details on individual shows as they get closer.                 

Singer/songwriter Chad Elliott has a couple of shows on tap this week. First on Thursday, Dec. 13, he’ll be at the Coda Lounge, starting at 6 p.m. Then on Friday, Dec. 14, he moves out to West Des Moines and plays the Fire Creek Grill, starting at 7 p.m.                 

Also on Dec. 14, Gas Lamp hosts North of Grand and its Christmas party, featuring Chromafrost. That show happens at 9 p.m. and is $5 at the door.                 

On Saturday, Dec. 15, Vaudeville Mews plays host to Austin, Texas, act, What Made Milwaukee Famous (seems like they could have just named the band “Bad Beer” and conveyed the same message). The show kicks off at 9:30 p.m. and is $12 at the door. The Stone Foxes and In Rooms also perform.                 

Also on Dec. 15, House of Bricks has its annual celebration of Keith Richards’ birthday. Among those helping wish the Rolling Stones guitarist a (presumably) in-absentia happy birthday this year will be David Zollo, Johnny Reeferseed and the High Rollers, Brother Trucker and Agents of Mischief. Festivities kick off at 9 p.m., and the show is $10 at the door. Even if it weren’t just about the best reason in the world to throw a party, the band line-up alone would be enough to make it the Sound Notes Pick o’ the Week.                 

On Sunday, Dec. 16, Faith Lutheran Church presents its 28th annual “Festival of Lessons and Carols.” The festival will consist of scripture and poetry readings, along with music presented by the Brass Consort, the Winds of Faith flute choir and senior organist Beverly Duffy, as well as the children’s choir and hand bell choir. Times for the event are 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m., and admission is free, though, it is a church, so offerings are accepted.                 

Also on Dec. 16, El Bait Shop knows that you’ve got a fever, and the only cure is more klezmer. Get cured starting at 8 p.m. courtesy of the Java Jews.                 

Finally, on Wednesday, Dec. 19, Wooly’s welcomes the best thing out of Seattle since “Frasier,” rap act Astronautalis. The show is all-ages and starts at 6 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance and $14 day of show, with Busdriver and Jel also performing. Mahalo. CV