FRIDAY 12/29

FRANCISCO LOPEZ, STEVE BARSOTTI, rebreather, JON TULCHIN, MICHAEL PRATHER--An evening of sounds distorted, deconstructed, and recombined. Lopez, from Spain, uses field recordings harvested like life-saving medications in the Brazilian rain forests to construct his sound sculptures. Barsotti, Tulchin, Prather, and rebreather are all local artists exploring sonic worlds via various (installation, homemade, sampling, turntable) methods. Sure, some of this sounds like noodling on a short-wave radio, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. UW Music Building, Room 213, 543-1201, 8 pm, $5 suggested donation.

SEATTLE SYMPHONY--Stanley Kubrick knew back in '68 when the 20th century ended; so what better way to ring in the true, new Kubrickian millennium than with our droog Alex's most beloved of all compositions, Beethoven's Symphony No. 9? Benaroya Hall, Taper Auditorium, 215-4747 or www.seattlesymphony.org, 8 pm, $10-$64. Also Sat Dec 30, 8 pm.

SATURDAY 12/30

TUDOR CHOIR--Tallis's buzzing, mystically joyous Missa Puer natus est nobis and Sheppard's more aggressive but equally captivating Reges Tharsis are the easy highlights of this Christmas concert combining old masters with modern composers who write in ancient styles. Leighton's Lully, lulla, thou little tiny child, is probably the best of the latter. St. Mark's Cathedral, 1245 10th Ave E, 322-3118, 8 pm, $18 general, $15 students/seniors.

SUNDAY 12/31

SEATTLE SYMPHONY--I've never been sure why the lovely, quicksilver clever, but ultimately disposable music of Johann Strauss père and fils has such a hold on New Year's concerts, but here we go again; after starting off with some festive Mozart comes half a dozen pieces in all, culminating in the inevitable An der schönen blauen Donau. Benaroya Hall, Taper Auditorium, 215-4747 or www.seattlesymphony.org, 9 pm, $65-$150.

JAMES SAVAGE, JOSEPH ADAM, CATHEDRAL CHOIR OF ST. JAMES--The recital the two organists and choir have planned for St. James Cathedral's annual New Year's concert is devoted to French music as elegant as it is thick and rich. Berlioz, Charpentier, des Pres, Dupré, Widor, Machaut; even the Bach is an airy arrangement by Gounod. St. James Cathedral, Ninth and Marion, 11 pm, 382-4874 or www.stjames-cathedral.org, $20 suggested donation, students & seniors pay as able.

RADIO SHOWS
by Angela Garbes

THURSDAY 12/28

SWEET WILLIE MITCHELL--If Santa let you down, Sweet Willie Mitchell is here to smooth you out and lift you back up. Let him groove you through the morning--that "mellow, golden time of day"--with soul and R&B classics, "amusing anecdotes, and KSRB's signature daily contest, the Musical Treasure Chest." KSRB 1150 AM, 8 am.

FRIDAY 12/29

FAVORITE SONGS OF 2000--Gentle reader, what could be better than a whole day of great music from Seattle's best radio station? Tune in as KCMU plays its listeners' favorite songs of the past year. KCMU 90.3 FM, 9 am.

SATURDAY 12/30

JAZZ PROFILES--Boogie down during a few hours dedicated to the music and life of Louis Jordan, the man who brought you joy with songs like "Beans and Cornbread." KPLU 88.5 FM, 6 pm.

PHAT 5 AT 7--Keep up with those crazy kids, the Youth of America, and listen to their current favorites. With their fingers planted firmly on the pulse of teen cool in Seattle, students from Nathan Hale High School count down the cream of the crop during the Phat 5 at 7. KNHC 89.5 FM, 7 pm.

SOUNDTRACK CINEMA--See the light and commune with the higher spirit as Ford Thaxton guides you through the end of the 21st century and straight into the 23rd with Jerry Goldsmith's acclaimed score to Star Trek: The Motion Picture. KING 98.1 FM, 10 pm.

SUNDAY 12/31

NEW DIMENSIONS--Just in time for clean slates and New Year's resolutions, Salle Redfield swoops in to help us "discover the six human needs we all seek, the one thing people who lead joyful lives have in common, and the key to eliminating depression from your life." All this from the author of The Joy of Meditating and Creating a Life of Joy: A Meditative Guide, for you, for free! KUOW 94.9 FM, 10 pm.

MONDAY 1/1

BEST OF 2000--From the innovative programmers who played Prince's "1999" all day to ring in the new year just two years ago comes a refreshing idea. Listen throughout the day as Seattle's one and only hiphop station plays its listeners' Top Three lists, among them the "Top Three Make-Out Songs at Alki," "Top Three Songs to Dance to While Wearing a Thong," and "Top Three Songs that Go Bling Bling." KUBE 93.3 FM, all day.

OUT OF TOWN

MODEST MOUSE: Fri-Sat Dec 29-30, Crystal Ballroom, Portland

CALEB KLAUDER: Fri Dec 29, Cobalt Lounge, Portland

STRING CHEESE INCIDENT: Fri-Sun Dec 29-31, Oregon Convention Center, Portland

THE PALADINS, DUSTY 45'S: Sat Dec 30, Cobalt Lounge, Portland

KARL DENSON'S TINY UNIVERSE: Sat Dec 30, Pine Street Theater, Portland

THE COUNTRYPOLITANS: Sat Dec 30, White Eagle, Portland

CHERRY POPPIN' DADDIES: Sun Dec 31, Roseland Theater, Portland

THE RETROS: Sun Dec 31, Crystal Ballroom, Portland

HEAVY JOHNSON TRIO: Sun Dec 31, Satyricon, Portland

BAD COMPANY'S PAUL RODGERS: Sun Dec 31, Emerald Queen Casino, Tacoma

DEATH BY STEREO: Wed Jan 3, New Paris Theater, Portland

Headed to Portland? Visit www.portlandmercury.com.