Two things the holidays reveal about Minnesota musicians: They're hardworking, since many of them put on multiple shows this time of year every year; and they're a diverse bunch. The offerings this year, as usual, range from gospel, jazz and soul concerts to classic honky-tonk, Irish traditionals and a cappella.
They'll be home for Christmas concerts: A guide to holiday shows by Minnesota's favorite acts
Your guide to holiday shows by Minnesota's enduring local acts.
December 8, 2016 at 5:53PM
The Steeles: After a seven-year hiatus from holiday shows in their hometown, the soulful singing siblings are back, with Christmas favorites and their uplifting spirit and effervescent personalities. J.D., Fred, Jearlyn, Jevetta and Billy might even surprise with an appearance from one of the Steeles Next Gen. (7:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat., Fitzgerald Theater, St. Paul, $18.75-$55, etix.com)
The Blenders: Long before Pentatonix and "Pitch Perfect" were en vogue, this Fargo-reared, Twin Cities-based male vocal quartet made a cappella cool. Or kind of cool, anyway. They're blending things up again for their 19th year of holiday shows. (8 p.m. Fri. & Sat., 2 p.m. Sun., Pantages Theatre, Mpls., $45, Ticketmaster.com)
Alison Scott: The R&B- and jazz-infused pop/rock piano plunker put out one of the finer local holiday albums in recent years, 2013's "A Soulful Christmas." Now she's using her holiday shows as a finale before going on hiatus to focus on motherhood and teaching. (7:30 p.m. Fri., Wayzata Community Church, $20; and Dec. 16, Amsterdam Bar & Hall, St. Paul, $18-20; AlisonScott.com)
Trailer Trash's Trashy Little Xmas: After its 22-year holiday run at Lee's Liquor Lounge ended in a dispute last year, the Twin Cities' best honky-tonk band is shaking its jingle stick all over the city and state this year, including stops in Northfield (8 p.m. Fri., Grand Theater), Rochester (7:30 p.m. Wed., Civic Theater) and St. Cloud (Dec. 21, Pioneer Place) along with a two-night stand in town next weekend at a much swankier place than Lee's. (Dec. 16-17, Metropolitan Ballroom, Mpls.; all shows $15-$20, BrownPaperTickets.com)
Lorie Line: In her 27th year of touring, the Twin Cities piano queen is opting to spend more time in outstate Minnesota than in the metro area (Alexandria, Pine City, Little Falls, St. Joseph and Dawson are still left on this season's trek). In fact, she's booked only a matinee in Minneapolis this year. (3 p.m. Sat. State Theatre, $54, ticketmaster.com)
Tonic Sol-Fa: With 14 Midwest holiday shows on their itinerary, these Minnesota State Fair mainstays are touting this as a "new chapter in their evolution." Their website and photos indicate that the veteran a cappella ensemble is now trimmed to a trio, starring lead singer Shaun Johnson. (7:30 p.m. Tue. Ames Center, $34-$36, ticketmaster.com)
Steven C: Have piano will travel. That's a 9-foot Bosendorfer. The St. Paul keyboard maestro is doing a mini-tour, joined by violinist/mandolinist Nate Wilson and keyboardist/bassist Denis Allaire, offering instrumental sounds of the season. There will be different special guests (some vocalists) at each concert. (Dec. 14, Chanhassen Dinner Theatres with Aimee and Boyd Lee; Dec. 15, Cathedral of St. Paul with Charles Lazarus, Lawrence Lawyer and Praise Girls Choir; Dec. 17, Maplewood Community Center with the Plaster Sisters; Dec. 19, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in West St. Paul with Jill Gubash, prices vary.)
The Petersons: Minnesota's first family of jazz likes to bill this as " 'Twas the Jam Before Christmas." Patty, Linda and Paul Peterson are usually the featured vocalists but watch out for the secret weapon, crooner/saxophonist Jason Peterson DeLaire, Linda's son. (2:30, 6 & 8 p.m. Dec. 18, Dakota Jazz Club, $25)
Katie McMahon: After falling in love with a Minnesota man while singing with "Riverdance," this Irish transplant has made her Celtic Christmas show the centerpiece of her year for the past decade. This year's program includes a promising first-ever pairing with the Kantorei choral ensemble. (Dec. 23, O'Shaughnessy at St. Catherine's, $28, oshag.stkate.edu)
Kwanzaa at the Ordway: A fun cross-section of African-American artists has been stitched together for a Kwanzaa show to mark the 20th anniversary of the youth organization WE WIN. Grand-sized gospel/R&B choir Sounds of Blackness heads up a lineup that includes powerhouse singer Tonia Hughes, transplanted Chicago rapper Longshot, Penumbra and Mixed Blood Theatre mainstay Thomasina Petrus and dancer Tamiko French, with T. Mychael Rambo hosting. (Dec. 26, 7 p.m., Ordway Concert Hall, St. Paul, $10-$34, Ordway.org)
An Andy and Bing Christmas: Twin Cities soul man Mick Sterling teams up with pops singer Ben Utecht for a homey holiday celebration in the style of Andy Williams and Bing Crosby, complemented by an orchestra with strings, horns and five female backup singers. (Dec. 28-31, Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, $40-$99, chanhassendt.com)
Critics’ picks for entertainment in the week ahead.
