Rock/Pop
The Charlie Hunter Trio, featuring Derrek Phillips and John Ellis at the Mint in Santa Monica, 12/10, 7pm
Charlie Haden: Liberation Music Orchestra at The Echo, 12/13
Princess Superstar at the Echo, 12/8
Bedtime for Toys and Lady Sovereign at Club Cinespace, 11/13, 10pm, 6356 Hollywood Blvd., 2nd Level, Hollywood
Kristin Hersch at Tangier, 12/12
Marjorie Fair, The Shore, Innaway at The Silverlake Lounge, 12/13
Bob Odenkirk at Amoeba, 12/10, 4pm
Magic Aid: hosted by El Alonzo, Vance DeGeneres, The Famous Pies, Miguel Ferrer, Neil Patrick Harris, Jason Latimer, Andy Kindler, Danica McKellar, The Mums, John O’Hurley, Judge Reinhold, Daniel Roebuck, Jaimie St. James, J.K. Simmons, Eric Stoltz, The Amazing Jonathan, Steve Valentine and Dick Van Patten, hosted by Jason Alexander at The Magic Castle, 12/10, 11am – 4pm. Proceeds benefit the Hurricane Relief effort for the victims of the Gulf Coast. 7001 Franklin Ave., Hollywood. (323) 851–8946, ext. 301
Jazz/Classical
SMC Concert Band: Christmas Celebration, directed by Kevin McKeown at Santa Monica College, 12/11, 4pm. 1900 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica. Tix and info: (310) 434-3000 or (310) 393-8258.
The Westside Ballet: The Nutcracker at The Wadsworth Theatre, 12/9, 7:30pm. Proceeds for Friday’s special performance benefits Habitat for Humanity. Also showing on 12/10, 2pm & 7:30pm and Sun, 12/11, 1pm & 5pm. 11301 Wilshire Blvd., WLA. (310) 828-2018 or www.westsideballet.com
Celebrate Christmas: The New Apostolic Church Choir, Los Angeles Concert Choir, NewSong Choir, Men’s Choir, Children’s Chorus and Bell Choir, The Los Angeles Instrumental Ensemble at The LA Central congregation, 12/10, 7pm. 814 E. Claremont St., Pasadena
The John James Quartet with John James, Joe Gaeta, Peter Marshall and Gene Stone at Schatzi on Main, 12/9, 7- 11pm. 3110 Main St., Santa Monica.
St. James Sunday Concert Series: A Nutcrackin’ Holiday Concert at The St James Presbyterian Church, 12/11, 4pm, 19414 Ventura Blvd, Tarzana. FREE.
UCLA University Campus Choir: Hear The Joyful Sounds at St. Albans Church, 12/10, 7:30pm. 580 Hilgard Ave., WLA, (310) 820-8503
Andy Cowan Trio at Schatzi on Main, 12/12, 7pm. 3110 Main Street, Santa Monica (310) 399-4800. “Cigar Night.”
SMC Percussion Ensemble, directed by Matthew Altmire at Santa Monica College, 12/8, 11:15am. FREE. 1900 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica
SMC Jazz Vocal Ensemble, directed by Cindy Bourquin at Santa Monica College, 12/9, 8pm. 1900 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica
Readings / Performance
Jane Fonda at Diesel, A Bookstore, 12/122, 1pm. She’s reinvented herself more times than Madonna, and, each time, adds another layer not only to herself, but to an American icon that is as much a part of our legacy as Apple Pie. Whether being vilified or championed by those who feverishly scapegoat her, or use her as a spearhead for their own cause, Ms. Fonda has held her head high, and stood her ground. From 60s sex kitten to shaggy haired 70s bra burner; outspoken political activist and serious oscar winning actress to spandex clad 80s jazzercizer; political wife to Tom Hayden or arm candy for Ted Turner. She is at once the accessible everywoman yet still a glamorous superstar. Love her or hate her, there’s no denying her star power, talent, and commitment to taking a stand for her beliefs. Though her family is Hollywood royalty, her new book tells a tale that’s all too familiar in most American families – heartache, loss, mistakes and misfortune – yes, there’s a little bit of Jane in all of us. 3890 Cross Creek Road, Malibu, (310) 456-9961.
William Claxton: Jazzlife at Dutton’s Beverly Hills, 12/8, 7pm
Clive Barker Exhibit: Visions of Heaven & Hell at bertgreenfineart, 12/8, 9pm. Book signing 12/17, 2pm. 102 W. 5th St., LA (213) 624-6212
Tosca at The Vanguard, 12/8
Judith Owen and Harry Shearer at Walt Disney Concert Hall, 12/14, 8pm. 111 S. Grand Ave., Downtown LA. (323) 850-2000 or www.laphil.org
In Loving Memory: of Anne Silver: Richard Garcia, Helen Cho, Nels Christianson, Amanda Foulger, Mifanwy Kaiser, Sherman Pearl, Alice Pero, Lee Rossi, Judith Searle, Cellist: Judith Stearns Hall on cello, Alice Pero on flute at Beyond Baroque, 12/8, 7:30pm
Peter Ludwin, Lois P. Jones at Moonday (Village Books), 12/12, 7:30pm
Santa Monica Literature Book Club: The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo at the Santa Monica Public Library, Fairvuew branch. 12/10. FREE.
Anansi Writers Workshop: Sheri Bailey at The World Stage, 12/14, 7:30pm. Master Class and Reading, plus open mic. 4344 Degnan Blvd., (323) 293.2451or www.theworldstage.org
Joseph Cornell: Film Constructions and Fantasies at Skirball, 12/12
Dick Van Dyke at Diesel, A Bookstore, 12/10, 3pm
The Week Ahead
Thursday, December 8
Nels Cline at Café Largo
The Jeff Gauthier Goatette at Cryptonight (Club Tropical)
The Ditty Bops, Mistress Satanica – Fire Breathing, Glass Walking at The Silent Movie Theatre
Emil Beaulieau, Gang Wizard, Kevin Shields, Joe and Joe, Speculum Fight as Damion Romero, Jessica Ryan at The Smell
Emanuel Ax, Richard Stoltzman at UCLA’s Royce Hall, 12/8, 8pm
Billboard Underground/Ring in The Holidays at The Knitting Factory, 12/8
The 88 at The Knitting Factory
Die Princess Die, Flying Douglas, This Blush, In Waves at The Silverlake Lounge
The Probe, HDR, Redlight Halo at Spaceland
Friday, December 9
The Lashes, The Divorce at Spaceland
Jesca Hoop, The Good Listeners, Rocco Deluca at El Cid
Bad Boy Bill – DMC DJ Champion at The Vanguard Club. 6021 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood
Busdriver, Daddy Kev, Daedelus, edIT, Existereo, Labwaste, Ooah, Scream Club at The Terrace, 443 E. Colorado, Pasadena
Under 21: Los Angeles with Abe Vigoda, DiGiTS, Mika Miko, Hello Astronaut Goodby Television at The Smell
Saturday, December 10
Vagenius, Layton at Spaceland
Stolkholm at The Echo
Which One’s Pink, Led Zepagain at Paladino’s, 6101 Reseda Blvd., Tarzana (818) 342-1563
The Terpsichore Group – E.L.F. at The Blue Space, 5519 Hollywood Blvd., LA
Daedelus, edIT, Ooah at The Grand Star, 943 Sun Mun Way, Chinatown, Downtown LA
Winter Solstice Festivities at The Union Theatre, 1122 W. 24th St., LA. (213) 746-2166
A Night of Mormon Media at The Echo Park Film Center, 1200 N. Alvarado St., LA. (213) 484-8846
Joseph Hammer, David Rothbaum, Moon Traffic Controllers, David Scott Stone at All-Analog Electronics Show at Analogue Haven, 252a S. Main St., Pomona. More info: www.analoguehaven.com
Sunday, December 11
The Honey Brothers, The Good Listeners at Spaceland
The Brokedown, Scott Claassen at Tangier
Monday, December 12
The Mentones at Ear Orchard (Club Tropical), 8641 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City
Cold War Kid, Glis, The Grabs, The Broken Remotes at Silverlake Lounge. FREE.
Lion Fever, Shoot Out The Lights, Diamonds Under Fire, Plastic Explosion at The Echo
Willoughby, The Weepies, Gus Black at Tangier
Tuesday, December 13
Marjorie Faire, The Shore, Innaway, Ferraby Lion Heart at The Silverlake Lounge
Bad Habit Club: Katrina Benefit with Har Mar Superstar, Baby Tooth, DJ Peaches, Electrocute, more at El Cid
The Fade, Thailand, Prayers, Colorforms at The Scene
Lamps, Texan Hex, Ill Lit, The Tangent Comedy Show at Tangier
Antarcticans, Monster at The Silverlake Lounge
Wednesday, December 14
HellYa Night, Dirty Little Secret, The Afterparty at Spaceland
Antarcticans, Bad Dudes, Bipolar Bear, Monster at The Silverlake Lounge
Westside Coffeehouses and Other Spaces
Anastasia’s Asylum – 1028 Wilshire, Santa Monica. (310)394-7113
Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center – FREE Workshops & Readings. This week: Sat, 12/10, 7:30pm: Kenneth Rexroth Centenary (see Center Stage). Fri, 12/9, 7:30pm: James Cushing, Dian Sousa. FREE. 681 Venice Blvd., Venice. (310)822-3006, www.beyondbaroque.org
Diesel, A Bookstore – 3890 Cross Creek Rd., Malibu, CA 90265. (3100 456-9961, www.dieselbookstore.com
Duttons Books Brentwood & Beverly Hills – Critically acclaimed readings and events. This week in Brentwood – Call for listings. This week in Beverly Hills – Thu, 12/8, 7pm: William Claxton signs Jazzlife. Sat, 12/10, 3pm: Storytime with Princess Meg. Sun, 12/11, 3pm: Storytime with Gabe. Wed, 12/14, 11am: Judith Palarz Book Group discusses three holiday classics by Truman Capote. Wed., 12/14, 4pm: Storytime with Polly Petunia. 11975 San Vicente Blvd., Brentwood, (310) 476-6263 or www.duttonsbrentwood.com. Duttons Beverly Hills – 447 N. Canon Drive.
