A couple weeks ago, sitting in the belly of the Triple Door's magnificent showroom for the first time ever, I realized that my biggest regret of 2008 was not realizing until nearly the end of the year that the place frequently hosts all-ages shows. What do Gang Gang Dance, the Blow, Seahawks lineman Craig Terrill, and prolific Tuvan throat-singers Huun-Huur-Tu have in common? No, they're not the lineup for next year's Block Party—they're just a small sample of the probably amazing shows I missed this year because I thought the place was strictly 21+. Luckily, the gift of knowledge came right in time for the holidays and a show from one of rock and roll's greatest heroes. Jonathan Richman at the Triple Door was maybe the best show I went to all year. Richman took the stage with only a tiny, strapless acoustic guitar, accompanied by longtime drummer/sidekick Tommy Larkins, and proceeded to completely captivate the seated audience over the course of his too-short set. From Richman's arsenal of hip-rocking, sleigh bell–shaking stage moves on the upbeat songs to his haunting closing number, "As My Mother Lay Dying," Richman took the crowd on an emotional ride, his trademark sincerity and charming personality only intensified by the fancy setting. The pricey meals might not make the place a regular dining spot for your young budget, but the Triple Door is a magnificent place to see a show that people of all ages should experience. 
Fri Dec 26: Hip Hop Period at Hidmo Eritrean Cuisine, 8 pm, free.
Mon Dec 29: Gust Burns Quartet, Jeffrey Allport, Tyler Wilcox at Gallery 1412, 8 pm, $5–$15 sliding-scale donation.
Sun Jan 4: Finally Punk, Talbot Tagora, TacocaT, Flexions at Vera Project, 4 pm, $6/$5.
Sun Jan 4: Black Whales, Kids and Animals, the Lost Episode at Skylark Cafe, 7 pm, free.
