THURSDAY 12/21

LORI GOLDSTON--Seattle may not have the largest cello community, but its brightest star is unquestionably Goldston. This solo performance with projected visuals should showcase every facet of the Black Cat Orchestra co-founder: her love of improvisation, her ingenious adaptation of folk and classical tropes, and her incomparable skill at performing in accompaniment to film. Zeitgeist Art & Coffee, Second and S Jackson, 583-0497, 8 pm, donation.

NORTHWEST BOYCHOIR--A collection of unspecified "inspiring music" from Rutter, Britten, and others. 'Tis the season, I suppose. Benaroya Hall, Taper Auditorium, 292-ARTS, 8 pm, $15 general, $5 students/seniors.

FRIDAY 12/22

THE ESOTERICS--The last of the choral group's four concerts devoted one apiece to the elements. See Stranger Suggests. Pilgrim Congregational Church, Broadway and E Republican, 344-3327, 8 pm, $17 general, $14 students/seniors. Also Sat Dec 23, 8 pm.

SEATTLE SYMPHONY--The Symphony might have a reputation as one of the stuffier public institutions in town, but apparently their new concert organ is lightening them up. With this concert they're even inaugurating a new holiday tradition, an organ sing-along. Well, you're only invited to join in on "O, Come All Ye Faithful," "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing," and "Joy to the World"; one can't expect a decades-old institution to let their hair down overnight after all. But you can go and (quietly, please) enjoy a whole evening of carols performed by organist Joseph Adam and a small brass consort. Benaroya Hall, Taper Auditorium, 215-4747 or www.seattlesymphony.org, 8 pm, $15-$49. Also Sat Dec 23, 2 pm.

RADIO SHOWS
by Megan Seling

SATURDAY 12/23

ONE STEP BEYOND--One Step Beyond is all about soul, so it's fitting that tonight's show is completely dedicated to the king of soul, James Brown. It's all James Brown and nothing but James Brown, so get up! Get on up and shake the money maker. KBCS 91.3 FM, 7 pm.

SOUNDTRACK CINEMA--In keeping with the holiday spirit, Soundtrack Cinema brings you this special edition featuring the amazing work of Danny Elfman in The Nightmare Before Christmas. KING 98.1 FM, 10 pm.

SONARCHY RADIO--Spirit Truck--featuring Micheal Stegner (the Jongleurs), John Wicks (SAMO), and Forrest Giberson (also of the Jongleurs)--is in the studio tonight, experimenting and improvising with a blend of sounds ranging from the music of Eastern Europe to punk rock. KCMU 90.3 FM, 11 pm.

SUNDAY 12/24

SELECTED SHORTS--Just as the title suggests, this is a show presenting selected short stories read by famous voices. Tonight, Charles Dickens' Bill Boston will be read by Alec Baldwin, who apparently hasn't made good on his pre-election promise to leave America just yet. Also Vladimir Nabokov's The Visit to the Museum, read by Fritz Weaver. KUOW 94.9 FM, 3 pm.

NEW DIMENSIONS--Right on time to chase any holiday blues away, motivational speaker and author Wayne Dyer brings advice and inspirational words to the listeners, including "The danger is not that your hopes are too high and you fail to reach them, but that they are too low and you do." He just might have a point. Ouch. KUOW 94.9 FM, 10 pm.

OUT OF TOWN

SILKWORM, KINSKI, ...THEN POLAND: Thurs Dec 21, Satyricon, Portland

MEL BROWN QUINTET: Thurs Dec 21, Jimmy Mak's, Portland

SOUND ENVISION: Thurs Dec 21, Pine Street Theater, Portland

MOODSWINGS: Fri Dec 22, Ash St. Pub, Portland

ACACIA, DIZZYFISH: Fri Dec 22, Tonic, Portland

SARAH DOUGHER, THE PLACES, SUPER XX MEN: Fri Dec 22, Medicine Hat, Portland

THE JIMMIES, LONGSHOT, ONE LAST THING, SHORTHANDED: Fri Dec 22, Pine Street Theater, Portland

BIG STAR, THE POSIES: Sat Dec 23, Crystal Ballroom, Portland

THE VISIT, ALL THE WAY DOWN, GARMOBOZIA: Sat Dec 23, Satyricon, Portland

DEAD MOON, THE FLAPJACKS, ALL OUT, THE PAN-PAN GIRLS: Sat Dec 23, Berbati's Pan, Portland

CROSSTIDE, MADE FOR TV MOVIE, THE COSMOS GROUP: Sat Dec 23, Pine Street Theater, Portland

JUS-FAMILY RECORDS ANNIVERSARY PARTY: Mon Dec 25, Berbati's Pan, Portland

PETE KREBS & THE KUNG-PAO CHICKENS: Wed Dec 27, Rabbit Hole, Portland

Headed to Portland? Visit www.portlandmercury.com.