THURSDAY 12/6

MusicGHOSTFINGER W/ GLOSSARY, LONE OFFICIAL & ALTERED STATESMAN Between outsourcing their talents to more successful touring bands, recording a new album, funding tours of their own, dabbling in side projects and growing out their facial hair to preposterous lengths and shapes, it’s hard to imagine the boys of Ghostfinger having time to do anything other than play rock ’n’ roll. Despite being spread all over the world at times, the mustachioed quartet is still keeping it together, becoming quite possibly the hardest working macho men in Nashville. On their stop at Mercy Lounge on Thursday, The ’Finger will already be well into the first leg of a winter tour that will keep them—and their whiskey-stained, 420-friendly countrified metallic rock—on the road into next year. Joining this cavalcade of local talent are fellow Murfreesboro veterans Glossary, sleepy alt-country faves Lone Official and quirky soul proprietors Altered Statesman. 10 p.m. at Mercy Lounge —SETH GRAVES

Country Music (Public) TelevisionJUMPIN’ TIME The airing of this documentary featuring the clock-stopping Time Jumpers, the Western-swing outfit that makes Monday the merriest night of the week at the Station Inn, will sadly double as a memorial to the late John Hughey. The steel-guitar great known for his yeoman service with Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn and Vince Gill died Nov. 18 after eight years with the group. But there is no more joyous way to celebrate his legacy than with this May 2006 show, hosted by Janet Ivey and guitarist/historian John Knowles. Tune in and hear Papa John stompin’ at the Station one last time. 7 p.m. on NPT-Channel 8 —JIM RIDLEY

Still Lifes in NashvilleANN TILEY As an artist, Ann Tiley is Nashville’s one-woman historic preservation society—preserving landmarks of daily life either in her charming homemade CDs of commemorative folk songs or in her vibrant paintings, which seem to capture the city in a glow of brilliant autumn. Tiley kicks off her month-long exhibit of new work at The Café at OutLoud! with an opening reception Thursday night. 6-8:30 p.m. at The Café at OutLoud! —JIM RIDLEY

MusicROBERT BRADLEY’S BLACKWATER SURPRISE It has all the hallmarks of a musical fairy tale that, in the wrong hands, could have been squandered as a gimmick: blind musician gets discovered by happenstance while busking on a Detroit streetcorner, then paired with backing band of younger rock dudes. Together they create an invigorating sound that combines soul with rock and triumphantly recaptures the past glories of both. Fortunately, in the case of Robert Bradley’s Blackwater Surprise, the truth has turned out more auspiciously than fiction. Bradley, who grew up in rural Alabama, channels raw gospel and blues through his signature brand of soul singing. While this alone makes for a compelling mix, the group as a whole glides between modern, slightly slick R&B and piano-pop with the hit-potential polish of, say, classic Elton John without sacrificing any of its emotion or power. 8:30 p.m. at Bourbon St. Blues & Boogie Bar —SABY REYES-KULKARNI

MusicTINA ADAIR, JUSTIN CARBONE, TIM DISHMAN, CASEY DRIESSEN & THOMAS WYWROT This is one of those nifty combinations that abound in living rooms around Nashville’s bluegrass community but only occasionally make it into public view. The cast is young but veteran—from the hard-working Carbone, whose sturdy, inventive guitar anchors the Special Consensus, to the high-profile Driessen, whose credits include work with Tim O’Brien and Steve Earle. Adair, whose Just You Wait and See was one of the highlights of 1997, is an engaging singer whose powers have continued to grow, husband Dishman provides solid support on bass and vocals, and Wywrot (Alecia Nugent Band) cements things with banjo work that’s alternately muscular and delicate. With a nifty set list that wanders between traditional and contemporary bluegrass, this show should offer some enjoyable insights into a pleasant corner of today’s ‘grass scene. 9 p.m. at Station Inn —JON WEISBERGER

FRIDAY 12/7

MusicHAPPY BIRTHDAY AMY Recent newlyweds Amy and Dillon Smith comprise this relentlessly catchy indie-pop outfit with a deeply ingrained affection for freewheeling melodies and brisk wordplay. Formerly of now-defunct folk-rock group Cutthroat Junction, titular lead Amy Smith has a full-bodied set of brassy pipes, which earn comparisons for their Regina Spektor theatrics. On standout single “This Song is About Monsters,” Smith’s coquettish voice bends around a rollicking beat—it’s stuff capable of rousing even the most distracted beer-guzzling patron out of his alcohol-induced stupor. 9 p.m. at The Five Spot —JOEY HOOD

TheaterSOUVENIR As unlikely as it seems, the life of Florence Foster Jenkins (1868-1944) has been the subject of various plays, both here and abroad. The daughter of well-to-do Pennsylvania parents aspired early on to be a singer, but was discouraged by her kin—and for good reason: She had obvious trouble with tone, pitch and rhythm. An erstwhile teacher and pianist, Jenkins finally launched her career as a soprano in her forties and began to give recitals, in which she rendered (unintentionally) fractured versions of European arias and leider while outfitted in outlandish costumes. Stephen Temperley’s Souvenir, which opened on Broadway in 2005, tells the hilarious yet poignant tale of Jenkins’ curious, unconventional show-biz notoriety. This Nashville premiere stars the gifted Ginger Newman as Jenkins and Jeffrey Williams (seen locally in Bat Boy) as Cosme McMoon, the piano accompanist whose initial embarrassment about his paying gig turns into a reluctant admiration for his strangely determined musical partner. Richard Northcutt directs the Naked Stages production. Dec. 6-15 in Belmont University’s Black Box Theater —MARTIN BRADY

Carpenter’s Dream—Don’t AskBELCOURT MIDNIGHT MOVIE: SLEEPAWAY CAMP Prized by slasher-movie aficionados as one of the sickest, silliest and most outlandish entries in the genre—a workshop in gender confusion taught by a psycho snuffing horny teens at Camp Arawak—Robert Hiltzik’s 1983 shocker has become a cheeseball favorite among gorehounds. Share a bunk with terror as the Belcourt projects the film on DVD as part of its popular weekend midnight movie series, with anything from camp competitions to T-shirts possible in the theater beforehand. Arrive early—not just because it’ll be crowded, but also for a special clip reel of ’80s slasher and teen-sex trailers. Midnight Dec. 7-8 at the Belcourt —JIM RIDLEY

TheaterSOUVENIR As unlikely as it seems, the life of Florence Foster Jenkins (1868-1944) has been the subject of various plays, both here and abroad. The daughter of well-to-do Pennsylvania parents aspired early on to be a singer, but was discouraged by her kin—and for good reason: She had obvious trouble with tone, pitch and rhythm. An erstwhile teacher and pianist, Jenkins finally launched her career as a soprano in her forties and began to give recitals, in which she rendered (unintentionally) fractured versions of European arias and leider while outfitted in outlandish costumes. Stephen Temperley’s Souvenir, which opened on Broadway in 2005, tells the hilarious yet poignant tale of Jenkins’ curious, unconventional show-biz notoriety. This Nashville premiere stars the gifted Ginger Newman as Jenkins and Jeffrey Williams (seen locally in Bat Boy) as Cosme McMoon, the piano accompanist whose initial embarrassment about his paying gig turns into a reluctant admiration for his strangely determined musical partner. Richard Northcutt directs the Naked Stages production. Dec. 6-15 in Belmont University’s Black Box Theater —MARTIN BRADY Holiday TheaterTHE GAME SHOW SHOW/SORRY, WRONG CHIMNEY/SANTA’S FROSTY CHRISTMAS It’s holiday time at Chaffin’s Barn Dinner Theatre, which means three mirthful productions running simultaneously. In the BackStage at the Barn venue is The Game Show Show, an original interactive confection in which audience members join wacky celebrity types and engage in TV game shows. There are even prizes, supplied to the Barn by local merchants. The solid cast features David Compton, Jenny Noel, Buddy Raper, Derek Whittaker, Martha Wilkinson and Bobby Wyckoff. On the Mainstage is Jack Sharkey’s Sorry, Wrong Chimney, a Christmas tale full of mistaken identities, slapstick and zany foul-ups. (And don’t forget the notorious Santa-burglar!) The ever-busy Wilkinson directs, with a cast featuring Daron Bruce, Nate Eppler, R. Alex Murray, Joy Tilley Perryman, Keri Pisapia and Jennifer Richmond. For the children, the Barn has added Santa’s Frosty Christmas to its seasonally themed lineup. It’s a play by John Chaffin that adds a new twist to the downside of global warming. Dietz Osborne directs a cast that includes Melodie Adams, Adam Burnett, Kim Nygren and Jeff Pettit. Santa and his elves will be present to spread a little joy to the young audiences. Game Show and Chimney run through Dec. 31; Frosty Christmas runs through Dec. 15 at Chaffin’s Barn Dinner Theater. —MARTIN BRADY MusicGARRISON STARR Singer-songwriter and Mississippi native Garrison Starr is not the first musician to marry rock guitars, catchy pop hooks and country-blues tinges, but there is something unique about her sweet-tempered vocals and rough edges. She can wail like Patty Griffin or whisper like a child. Her music follows suit—alternating between audacity and poignancy, with a touch of sadness. Perhaps it’s a result of her subject matter, which is, more often than not, romantic in nature. Starr should be a staple for fans of Sheryl Crow, Wilco, Shawn Colvin and Ryan Adams. 9 p.m. at The Basement —TRACY M. ROGERS

TheaterTHE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP Charles Ludlam’s campy take on Victorian melodrama and Hollywood horror films may make for untoward holiday theatergoing, but you can’t say that good satire successfully played for big laughs isn’t festive. People’s Branch Theatre presents the local premiere of this spoofy silliness, and for those looking to supplement conventional seasonal entertainment with more offbeat fare, it could be just the ticket. (Besides, Dracula and the Wolf Man are no more fictional than Santa Claus.) Ross Brooks directs the (hopefully) tour de force performances of Brian Webb Russell and Eric D. Pasto-Crosby, who together take on all eight of the show’s roles, both male and female. (Yep, cross-dressing still lives at PBT.) Irma Vep is not recommended for the very young, though older children accompanied by adults are welcome. Dec. 6-15 at the Belcourt Theatre —MARTIN BRADY

TheaterTHE LION IN WINTER Encore Theatre Company, a new theatrical enterprise serving Wilson and Davidson counties, offers a revival of James Goldman’s 1966 historical drama about the complicated family and political life of Henry II and his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine in 12th century England. Goldman adapted his script for the 1968 Academy Award-nominated film starring Peter O’Toole and Katharine Hepburn. This production is directed by Elizabeth Hayes, and features a stalwart community cast including Phil Brady, Kathy Biggers, Michael Sullivan, Nathan Owen, David Bayer and Lauren Atkins. Through Dec. 16 at 14905-A Lebanon Rd., Old Hickory —MARTIN BRADY

Spirit of Christmas PastHAPPY HOLIDAYS, REMEMBERED OK, yes, the retail (and some homeowners’) decorations came out a bit early this year, but that’s no reason to skip the photographs, vintage toys and other memorabilia on display in the Main Library’s Courtyard Gallery. Featured in the images are impressively decorated stores and Centennial Park, as well as the joyous holiday rush of shoppers, carolers and families celebrating around their own trees. If the spirit really moves you, don vintage attire for the retro-themed reception. Opening reception 2:30-4:30 p.m. Sunday; exhibit runs Dec. 7 through Jan. 15 at the Main Library. —MICHELLE JONES

SATURDAY 12/8

MusicTIM O’BRIEN W/STUART DUNCAN, BRYAN SUTTON & DENNIS CROUCH “We’re going to reach into the bag and see what comes out,” says singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist O’Brien, who recently completed work on an all-solo album due out in the spring—and with companions like these, that’s all promise, no threat. In a town stuffed with supremely talented musicians, Duncan, Sutton and Crouch are arguably the first among equals on their respective instruments (fiddle, guitar and bass), and each has breathtaking range, from pop country to honky-tonk and from bluegrass to swing. O’Brien’s carved out a unique space for himself, sufficiently pleasing the bluegrass crowd to have won the IBMA’s Male Vocalist and Song of the Year honors just last year while moving easily from ’grass to singer-songwriter turf to old-time country, Celtic and beyond. So while the set list may be improvised, the encounter’s best seen as an informal musical summit among masters. 9 p.m. at Station Inn —JON WEISBERGER

MusicBUZZ AND CLICK To understand Nashville’s annual Buzz and Click showcase, first envision the local music scene as a heavy, bulbous rock. Now, tip this rock over and see what’s crawling around underneath—that’s a reasonable facsimilie. It’s not always pretty, but well worth breaking out your magnifying glass. For the fifth consecutive year, WRVU’s DJ B—host of the long-running electronic music show The Mixdown—has assembled a motley crew of local laptoppers, knob twiddlers and electronic noisemakers. Detaching itself from the infinite loops, grooves and record jockeys typical of the genre, B&C focuses instead on the experimental end of electronica. Previous lineups have featured many names unfamiliar to outsiders, but this year shows a little more mass appeal with the addition of local glitch masters Jensen Sportag and Ctrl + Alt + Disco’s Oliver Dodd. 9 p.m. at The End —SETH GRAVES

Farewell ShowTHE BUBBLEGUM COMPLEX We know there are plenty of bands in this town that you’ve always been meaning to check out. Well, if The Bubblegum Complex made your list, this is your last shot. After four years of making idiosyncratic, occasionally clangorous power pop together, this particular assemblage of players is calling it quits. In the words of frontman Caldwell Dunlap, “We have no time to get together to write new songs, and if we ain’t gonna be recordin’, we don’t see a point to staying together.” With a pregnant bassist, a drummer with a wee one and most members involved in a handful of other projects, it seems like an inevitable choice. But before they ride off into the local rock sunset, The Complex will release a final album of songs in a limited run of 50 copies. And for this final show, they’ve promised a white suit, oldies-but-goodies and plenty of unbridled enthusiasm. The Carter Administration, Magnet School and Bob Grant open. 9 p.m. at The 5 Spot —LEE STABERT

Anti-ArtDR. SKETCHY’S ANTI-ART SCHOOL PRESENTS ‘WALKING IN A WEENIE WONDERLAND’ Dr. Sketchy dares to ask: Why can’t drawing half naked people be sexy? This national movement, founded in 2005 by Brooklyn artist Molly Crabapple, has finally brought its love of curvaceous ladies, musclemen, freaks, geeks and drawing to Music City. With 43 branches around the globe, this afternoon of booze, tunes, prizes and, of course, art, will offer patrons the chance to sketch Panty Raid Burlesque star—and owner of East Nashville’s I Dream of Weenie—Monique Honeybush while enjoying refreshments, conversation and a little bit of skin. For information, visit drsketchys.com or myspace.com/drsketchysnashville. 3-6 p.m. at The Five Spot —LEE STABERT

Family TheaterSNOWFLAKE TPAC’s Family Field Trip series brings in notable touring artists in theater, music and dance to showcase material with immediate appeal for both young and old. Snowflake epitomizes the program’s mission, as former Ringling Bros. clown Gale LaJoye presents his acclaimed one-hour one-man show—a wordless, comedic, pantomime- and puppet-rich exploration of the world of a lovable character, who, with childlike innocence and wonder, creates stage magic with discarded objects in a vacant lot. LaJoye has been performing this poignant and funny show since 1990, with appearances throughout the U.S., Canada, Scotland, Australia, Hong Kong, Mexico and Japan. Free interactive activities precede the event, and Book’em will hand out a book to each child in attendance. 2 p.m. in TPAC’s Polk Theater —MARTIN BRADY

MusicSHAW BLADES Hard-rock supergroup Damn Yankees made two successful albums in the early 1990s before splintering, but guitarist Tommy Shaw (Styx) and bassist Jack Blades (Night Ranger) just can’t seem to keep away from one another. They made an album called Hallucination as a duo in 1995, and have continued writing together ever since. Shaw Blades’ belated sophomore effort, the acoustic-based Influence, is a collection of 1960s and ’70s covers running the gamut from folk-rock (two, count ’em, two Simon & Garfunkel songs) to soft rock (Seals & Crofts’ “Summer Breeze,” Orleans’ “Dance with Me”) to prog-rock (Yes’ “Your Move”). The common denominator is the surprisingly sweet harmonies of Shaw and Blades, whose innate likeability makes it almost possible to forgive their decision to record what is probably the 238,953rd version of Buffalo Springfield’s “For What It’s Worth” so far this year. 9:30 p.m. at the Wildhorse Saloon —CHRIS NEAL

SUNDAY 12/9

Shalom, Y’all!BAGELS & BARBEQUE: THE JEWISH EXPERIENCE IN TENNESSEE When this Red Sea pedestrian arrived in Nashville 10 years ago, one of my first zaps of culture shock was calling the Jewish Community Center and hearing a voice as Southern as Minnie Pearl’s answer the phone and say, “Sha-laaoom, Gordon JCC, how can I haaalp ya?” Who knew that my people had a Dixie heritage going back three centuries? Beginning with the late 1700s, Bagels & Barbeque examines the history of Jews in Tennessee, a story far more varied and compelling than most Yankees could imagine. Consider the saga of Adolph Ochs, who, in 1878, at age 20, started the Chattanooga Times, and less than 20 years later added that bastion of Southern attitudes, The New York Times, to what is still a family-owned enterprise. Not to mention the Jewish scientists who worked at Oak Ridge on the atom bomb, and constructed a synagogue with their own hands. It’s a fascinating tale that will be news to most people, Jews included, and should appeal to folks of all faiths. Opening reception, 2-4 p.m. Sunday, catered by Grins Kosher Vegetarian Café; the show runs through Feb. 3 at the Tennessee State Museum. —JACK SILVERMAN

Over the River and Through the WoodsYULETIDE FROM THE OTHER SIDE CD RELEASE Local-band compilations are notoriously hit-and-miss, but this collection of holiday numbers from a predominantly East Nashville crowd bats well over .500. Some of the highlights: Cerys Matthews’ “Y Corryn Ar Pry’,” which is thoroughly haunting, despite being sung in Celtic; Circus Dog Serenade’s take on late Morphine frontman Mark Sandman’s “Snow” (particularly poignant since Sandman was a friend of Circus Dog’s Jamie Rubin); Meghan Hayes’ “Kosher for Christmas” (featuring the line, “Why eat ham to celebrate our favorite Jew?”); Jennifer Niceley’s sassy version of Billy Ward’s “Bringing in a Brand New Year”; and Sara Beck’s sweet “Just Like Christmas Eve.” (Beck, incidentally, sang one of her own songs with Stevie Wonder at last week’s Sommet Center show—you can’t get much holier than that.) Proceeds from CD sales benefit EarthMatters NetWORKS, an East Nashville environmental organization. 4-8 p.m. at Family Wash —JACK SILVERMAN

MusicVHS OR BETA Like an adolescent sprouting into adulthood, Louisville’s VHS or Beta has undergone a variety of changes the last decade. Their evolution has spanned from Daft Punk-biting disco-punk (2002’s breakthrough Le Funk EP) to ’80s Euro new wave nostalgia (2004’s Night on Fire) to unrepentant dance-pop on their latest Bring on the Comets. It’s been a natural progression, and they’ve managed to retain elements from previous incarnations—staccato guitar riffs and gothic, snare-snapping disco shimmy. Yet with the departure of co-founder and guitarist Zeke Buck, the emphasis of Comets shifted more dramatically from deep-seated grooves to luxuriant choruses fueled by insistent hooks. Several members of My Morning Jacket lend a hand, rounding out Comets’ punchy head-on attack. 8 p.m. at 3rd & Lindsley —CHRIS PARKER

Pickin’ For A Cause8TH ANNUAL CHRISTMAS BLUEGRASS BENEFIT FOR THE HOMELESS The holiday season offers plenty of twofers—opportunities to do good while having a good time. This Sunday, the Station Inn will raise money for the area’s homeless by hosting Jesse McReynolds, Larry Stephenson, Randy Waller, Tim Graves & Cherokee, Roland White Band, Jimmy Bowen & Santa Fe, Leroy Troy, The Stringdusters Trio, The Jackson Gang, Ben Hall and Terrry Comer. Attendees are encouraged to bring toiletries, socks and underwear, washcloths, sewing kits, school supplies and any other items individuals and families can use, in addition to the $15 cover donation. All proceeds and gifts will be distributed through Room In The Inn, a local shelter system. 7 p.m. at the Station Inn —LEE STABERT

MONDAY 12/10

MusicMICHAEL HURLEY Perhaps best known for collaborating with fellow post-folkies Jeffrey Frederick and The Unholy Modal Rounders on 1976’s classic Have Moicy!, Michael Hurley remains an unjustly neglected figure. The 65-year-old singer writes blithe songs that turn strange when you listen closely, and he’s an ingenious, rhythmically inventive guitarist. Have Moicy!’s “Slurf Song” and “Sweet Lucy” feature inspired melodies that sound plucked from the air, and it’s hard to resist lyrics such as, “We was drunk in Tennessee / She was drunk / As drunk as me.” On his new Ancestral Swamp, Hurley advances the country-blues movement by decades. “Knockando” begins with a slippery, mordant four-measure guitar figure that mutates into a deft accompaniment bearing comparison to Robert Johnson. The rest of Ancestral Swamp is equally strong, weird and casual. Hurley is a major artist; catch this hobo’s act while you can. 9 p.m. at Springwater —EDD HURT

TUESDAY 12/11

MusicOVER THE RHINE Over the Rhine has been a lot of things to a lot of people: in the early ’90s, a four-piece Cincinnati alternative band with a penchant for Cure-esque guitar atmospheres, and in recent years, a husband-and-wife duo weaving Waitsian torch songs out of country, jazz, Brill Building pop and an almost spiritual sensitivity to surroundings. They’ve even released a sophisticated holiday album and managed to make their home state sound sexy on the double-album Ohio. But three things have remained constant: Karin Bergquist’s raspy, soulful pipes, Linford Detweiler’s multi-instrumental support and the subtle shadows saturating much of their best work. The new record, The Trumpet Child, was produced by Nashville’s Brad Jones and features horn arrangements supporting songs concerned with, as Detweiler puts it, “spirituality, sexuality, living vividly, challenging the status quo and subtly taking power away from those who have too much and transferring it to people who have too little.” 8 p.m. at the Belcourt Theater — AARON JENTZEN

Local PremiereTHE COLDEST WINTER: AMERICA AND THE KOREAN WAR The late David Halberstam reportedly considered this book his greatest work: an epic account of the Korean War, focusing largely on the strategic miscalculations of Gen. Douglas MacArthur and the disastrous November 1950 clash of outmanned American troops with Chinese Communist forces. As part of its “Out of the Book” documentary series, which offers independent booksellers an event surrounding a current title of interest, Powell’s Books produced this 30-minute film combining war footage and book excerpts with remembrances by Halberstam’s family, friends and colleagues such as Bob Woodward and Anna Quindlen. The doc makes its local premiere hosted by Halberstam’s friend and former editor John Seigenthaler, with coffee and a discussion to follow. 6 p.m. at the Nashville Public Library —JIM RIDLEY

MusicCARRIE UNDERWOOD Overheated and abstract, Carrie Underwood’s latest, Carnival Ride, expertly reshuffles classic pop’s conventions. The Muskogee, Okla., native’s 2005 debut Some Hearts produced a trio of number-one country singles that distilled small-town frustrations into big-voiced psychodramas, and Underwood seemed at home in the cosmos as described by Diane Warren’s title track, a celestial power-ballad. At its best Carnival Ride makes something of its mannerism, with Mark Bright’s production adding banjo, slices of strings and Southern-rock riffs that comment on the action. “Last Name” finds Underwood traveling in a Pinto to Las Vegas and getting married. “There’s just one little problem,” she sings. “I don’t even know my last name.” The intricate arrangements exude a mad joy that Underwood’s easeful voice echoes, and she makes something of the slow songs. It’s a worthy sophomore effort that suggests that Underwood’s success has been exactly the kind of controlled environment she needed all along. 7 p.m. at Ryman Auditorium —EDD HURT

WEDNESDAY 12/12

Those Snoopy EastsidersTHE ORNAMENTS PRESENT A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS The Thanksgiving birds hadn’t even been diced into the next day’s turkey salad when those ubiquitous Christmas songs started popping up in shopping malls and on radio stations, echoing through the heads of consumers like a cute, cuddly version of waterboarding. Heck, even holiday tunes by some of the most esteemed rockers have the cloying, moldy sweetness of year-old fruitcake. But there’s one yuletide classic that never gets stale. That’s why the aptly named Ornaments (keyboardist Jen Gunderman, bassist Jim Gray, drummer Marty Lynds and guests) will perform Vince Guaraldi’s A Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack from beginning to end, 7 and 9 p.m. Dec. 12 and 19. Guaraldi’s music is timeless, largely because of its emotional complexity—the Peanuts gang may be singing, “Christmastime is here / Happiness and cheer,” but the music is bluer than blue. Perhaps the bittersweet sound of Guaraldi’s holiday ode can best be summed up in two words: good grief. 7 & 9 p.m. Dec. 12 and 19 at Family Wash —JACK SILVERMAN