Rev. Peyton's Big Damn Band, Tab Benoit, Anders Osborne, Bonnie "Prince" Billy

The Christmas festivities get under way all around the town this weekend with the Grand Illumination kicking things off at the James Center on Friday evening.  You know the drill.  They'll have some holiday type family entertainment, they'll turn the Xmas lights on on all the big buildings, everyone will oooh and aaah and cheer and then we'll all go get a beer.  Music is of the marching band and classical holiday music variety but I thought I'd mention it because its fun to bring the kids to.

Music-wise Friday night, The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band returns to the Capital Ale House.  Tix are $10 in advance, $12 at the door.  The right Reverend will be playing his usual manner of gutbucket blues & country.  Here's a video from their latest album, "The Wages".  The song is called "Clap Your Hands".  Don't know if the crowd will be this eclectic at the Ale House on Friday, but you never know.  Bring your own chicken.

Saturday night you can do Christmas New Orleans style with The Six Strings of Christmas Tour featuring Tab Benoit and Anders Osborne (not one of Ozzy's Osbornes) with special guest Big Chief Monk Boudreaux.  They'll be at the Hat Factory with doors opening at 6:30 PM and the show starting at 7 PM.  Tix are $16 for GA and $24 for Reserved seats.  Tab and Anders both play New Orleans roots based rock and roll.  I used to go see Anders quite a lot in the 90's then he seemed to stop touring the Northeast for a while so I haven't seen him in a long time.  But he always put on a great show and I might have to make it out for this one.  Here is Anders rockin' out with the Stanton Moore Trio in Baltimore in September:


Christmas is a time for giving and if you want to do some good, go to the Celebration Of Life: A Red Carpet Benefit For The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at the Science Museum of VA.  That will go down on Saturday night from 7 PM to 11 PM.  Tickets on sale for $75, which includes drinks, by-the-bite foods, music, silent auction, & more details to be confirmed closer to the date. The price for tickets will go up to $85 if you purchase at the door - if there are any tickets remaining.  Richmond's favorite yacht rock band, Three Sheets to the Wind will be providing the tunes, so you can get your smooth groove on.  In honor of Three Sheets, here are smooth rockers Hall & Oates doing "Jingle Bell Rock".  I really dig Darryl Hall's "I won't move my arms" walk in the beginning.


Also Saturday night, Allman Brothers tribute band, Skydog, will be at Cary St. Cafe.  Show starts at 10.  Not sure if there is a cover but if there is it will be a minimal price to pay for some melt your face Allman Bros tunes.  Here's a video medley from their gig at Cary St. Cafe on Halloween.


Bonnie "Prince" Billy will be at The National on Sunday night.  Tix are $18 and this show has reserved seats.  Doors open at 7, show starts at 8 with opener The Babblers.  Bonnie "Prince" Billy is now the main outlet for the work of Will Oldham, literate indie-rock influenced by Neil Young, Johnny Cash, Nick Cave & Townes Van Zandt.  Here's a clip from his 2006 album, "The Letting Go", called "Cursed Sleep":


That dude in the E.T. mask is a dick!

Happy Hanukah to all my Jewish friends!  Had to play this one for you because, really, there aren't too many Hanukah songs to choose from.


Have a great weekend!

Tony Jordan