CLASSICAL
by Bruce Reid
THURSDAY 12/16
THE ESOTERICS -- A repeat of this choral group's celebrated program Beata, a beautifully chosen (and no doubt, sung) collection of 20th-century a cappella miniatures in honor of Mary. Featuring works by Berg, Distler, Stravinsky, Harbison, Rautavaara, Pärt, Bax... just to scratch the surface. Without question one of the finest concert offerings this holiday season; or this year, for that matter. Chapel of St. Ignatius, 12th and Spring; also Pilgrim Congregational Church, Broadway and E Republican, 344-3327, Sat Dec 18, 8 pm, $15 general/$12 students & seniors.
SEATTLE SYMPHONY -- Handel's Messiah? For the Christmas season? How novel. Benaroya Hall, Taper Auditorium, 215-4747 or www.seattlesymphony.org, 7:30 pm; also Fri Dec 17, 1 and 8 pm, $10-$62.
FRIDAY 12/17
EL MUNDO -- If your idea of a Latin Christmas doesn't extend beyond Jose Feliciano wanting to wish you a merry Christmas from the bottom of his heart, allow me to recommend this concert of 17th- and 18th-century Navidad tunes stretching from Spain to Mexico, to Guatemala, Peru, and Chile. Composers include Ceruti, de Murcia, Castellanos, and Quiroz. The Saturday concert -- aimed at families -- is only half as long. First United Methodist Church, 811 Fifth Ave, 8 pm, $14 students/$18 seniors/$23 general, and Rainier Valley Cultural Center, 3515 S Alaska, 325-7006, Sat Dec 18, 10 am, $5.
SATURDAY 12/18
TUDOR CHOIR -- Nostalgic for slums, street urchins, and the worst aspects of the Industrial Revolution? Then you could use a dose of "Victorian Christmas." Actually, most of our carols come from this dismal time; the title is just another way of saying "all your old favorites." Featuring "Away in a Manger," "Good King Wenceslas," "Twelve Days of Christmas," and other tunes you start singing solfeggio to after a couple of lines. St. Mark's Cathedral, 1245 10th Ave E, 322-3118 or 322-1040, 8 pm; and Sun Dec 19, 3 pm, $15 students & seniors/$18 general.
REGIONAL MUSIC
by Jason Pagano
Thursday 12/16
BARENAKED LADIES, JEWEL -- Arlene Schnitzer Hall, Portland
EEK-A-MOUSE -- Berbati's Pan, Portland
FREESTYLERS -- Ohm, Portland
COOLDOWN featuring MISS BENNY, PILGRIMS OF THE MIND -- Commodore Ballroom, Portland
Friday 12/17
GRINDSTONE, SLOWRUSH -- Satyricon, Portland
FREEBO, JOHN HALL -- Roseland Grill, Portland
JIMMY Z'S, EVERETT -- Paul Diamond Blow & the Ace Diamond Bimbos, Cuntry Joe & Slitliquor, Brownfinger, $5
Saturday 12/18
RADIOSTAR -- Father John's Pub, Bellingham
CURTIS SALGADO -- Gemini Pub, Lake Oswego
Sunday 12/19
BOBS -- Aladdin Theatre, Portland
THEORY OF RUIN, POINTY BIRDS -- EJ's, Portland
Wednesday 12/22
AMY GRANT, POINT OF GRACE -- Rose Garden Arena, Portland
RADIO SHOWS
by Jason Pagano
THURSDAY 12/16
RADIØ1 -- Live Internet broadcast showcasing local talent. Log on every Tuesday and Thursday at www.giantradio.com, 4 pm.
FRIDAY 12/17
TRIANGLE RADIO NETWORK -- Broadcasting "witty, entertaining, informative, and sometimes outrageous" programming focused on the gay, lesbian, bi, and trans community. Seven days a week on KBRO 1490 AM.
SATURDAY 12/18
THE LIVE ROOM -- Broadcast live from the studios of Jack Straw Productions. This week: local rockers the Whole Bolivian Army perform melodic pop. KCMU 90.3 FM, 8-9 pm.
SONARCHY RADIO -- Another Jack Straw creation, this one produced and mixed by Doug Haire. "Adventures in trip-sonic psycho-ambience" from Sound Rangers. KCMU 90.3 FM, 11 pm-midnight.
SUNDAY 12/19
NO ROOM FOR SQUARES -- Modern jazz and hard bop from the '50s and '60s, with a focus on Blue Note recording artists. KUPS 90.1 FM and www.webradio.com/kups, 3-4 pm.
VOZ LATINA -- Lisa Levy hosts two hours of bilingual Latino culture and music. KUOW 94.9 FM, 7-9 pm.
