Hark. The show goes on in December, so here are a few holiday offerings. Jeffrey Gaines is our only exception—a hometown hero and a holiday present. So, rock round the clock (and your Christmas tree) in this final month of 2013.
The Celts, Whitaker Center, Dec. 5, doors @ 7:30 p.m.
The Celts are a straight-out-of-PBS special: Irish jigs, the flute, the fiddle, and the folksy tunes of these Irish-born musicians will bring their traditional set of holiday favorites to Whitaker Center. The “Christmas with the Celts” CD will give you a taste of their seasonal selections. Standards, such as, “O Holy Night” and “Little Drummer Boy” will be played, and others of Irish origin will be on tap, as well.
Tim Warfield, Strand Capitol, Dec. 21, doors @ 7:30 p.m.
A York native, saxophonist Tim Warfield and his impressive band, featuring Terell Stafford, will rely less on scat for this performance and more on the solid sounds of holiday faves. Expect some creative arrangements of “Silent Night” and “Joy to the World.” Warfield has appeared on The Today Show and Bill Cosby’s You Bet Your Life, where he was member of the house band. His presence in the central Pennsylvania jazz scene is prominent, being a board member of the Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz and now artist-in-residence at Messiah College.
Jeffrey Gaines, Appalachian Brewing Company, Dec. 28, doors @ 8:00 p.m.
Jeffrey Gaines has been playing the Harrisburg circuit for more than two decades, yet he’s known nationally and internationally for his ruminative songs on love. His claim to fame occurred after his cover of “In Your Eyes” hit a mainstream audience in the early ‘90s. Since his self-entitled debut album in 1992, he’s put out four other full-length albums. His ostentatious attire and make up on stage is in direct contrast to his throaty, yet soulful, voice. His songs are schmaltzy but grounded in theme. Start off with his classics, “Fear” and “A Simple Prayer,” for a taste of his talent.
Mentionables:
David Bazan, Mechanicsburg, (location revealed upon purchase), 12/2, doors @ 8 p.m., purchase tickets @ The Undertow.com
Stop Making Sense (Talking Heads Tribute), Appalachian Brewing Company, 12/7, doors @ 9 p.m.
The Irish Tenors, Strand Capitol, 12/8, doors @ 7:30 p.m.
