THURSDAY 12/13

War and Remembrance NPT’S NASHVILLE WWII STORIES It is impossible to watch Nashville WWII Stories, the latest NPT original production, without making comparisons to Ken Burns’ The War (especially as the latter has been shown so frequently this fall). Justin Harvey’s film focuses on just one part of the country, telling the wartime stories of some of the 300,000 Middle Tennesseans who served, beginning with where they were when they heard about Pearl Harbor (seeing a movie at the Belle Meade Theatre, for example). Several pilots—including “Tiger” Joe Thompson, who shared his reminiscences and photographs in an eponymous book last year—describe their training and missions. Other veterans discuss being captured by German troops, and readjusting to life after the war. Created in a shorter timeframe and definitely on a smaller budget than The War, this film is no less meaningful. 7 p.m. on WNPT-Channel 8 —MICHELLE JONES

Music PETER HOLSAPPLE It’s a rare opportunity to see indie royalty of Holsapple’s status perform in a venue as intimate as the Family Wash—after all, this is the guy who, along with Chris Stamey, formed the core of jangle-pop progenitors The dB’s, joined REM in the late ’80s (he played on the Green world tour, then played and co-wrote material on 1991’s multi-platinum Out of Time), then hooked up with the Continental Drifters. He won’t have his reunited dB’s in tow (check out his MySpace blog for thoughts on last week’s set during Yo La Tengo’s Hanukkah run at Maxwell’s in Hoboken)—just himself, a guitar and a catalog that would make most indie rockers, um, green with envy. 8 p.m. at Family Wash, before Mark & Mike’s Christmas Extravaganza —JACK SILVERMAN

Jingle Genealogy ANDREW PETERSON: A CHRISTMAS CONCERT When the words “Christmas” and “musical” are uttered in the same breath, the mind leaps to children in bathrobes, fake beards and cockeyed halos singing “Silent Night” and “We Three Kings” endearingly off-key. But that’s not Christian singer-songwriter Andrew Peterson’s idea of a “Christmas musical.” His is a cohesive cycle of original songs done in intricate, acoustic-based arrangements—maybe no more heartfelt than kids in a pageant, but with a lot less squirming and a lot more subtlety. Peterson wrote 10 songs that narrate biblical accounts of Christ’s birth—right down to a genealogy-put-to-music called “Matthew’s Begats” that drops scriptural names like “Amminadab”—and rounded them out with a couple of traditional ones. Now it’s a tour—in its eighth year—and an album, Behold the Lamb of God. Peterson’s Ryman Christmas show always features a host of guests, and Ron Block and Pierce Pettis are among those on tap this year. 7:30 p.m. at Ryman Auditorium —JEWLY HIGHT

Music TOMMY AND THE WHALE W/KYLE ANDREWS AND THE LONELY HEARTS Somehow Kyle Andrews remains Nashville’s own precious little secret. His recently released EP Find Love, Let Go finds the young singer-songwriter in a more introspective mood. Though skillful with quirky electro-pop numbers like “Get Mad,” it’s on the quiet tunes where he manages to thoroughly break your heart. When he pleads, “Don’t take my lackluster love for granted / I can only give what I have” on the spare acoustic number “Lackluster Love,” you can feel the crushing desperation of inadequacy. Andrews is currently working to compile a treasure trove of unreleased material into a sophomore LP. Headliners Tommy and the Whale are also readying an LP. Led by sweet-voiced frontman Tommy Hans, this local five-piece tinge their easygoing pop with a sly soulfulness—and the occasional trumpet. 9 p.m. at The Basement —LEE STABERT

Music RIGOR MORTIS W/ARSON ANTHEM When Dallas thrash-metal quartet Rigor Mortis came out with their gore-filled debut in 1988, the fact that Capitol actually released it seemed just as shocking as the lyrical content. Much of their violence sounds quaint by today’s standards, and the trailer-trash point of view suggests that the band had a lurking sense of humor all along. But a song like “Bodily Dismemberment,” a first-person account of sexual gratification that steers an S&M session into cruel homicide, manages to still sound surprisingly gratuitous, and points to an underlying rage that threatens the music’s B-movie charm. Fans, of course, will just wanna headbang again. RM’s cult status has been steadily stoked by their various members’ ongoing work in Ministry, Speedealer and GWAR, so the reunion makes sense. And don’t miss the opener, the Phil Anselmo/Hank III vehicle Arson Anthem in its official live debut, one of just three national dates scheduled. 9 p.m. at Exit/In —SABY REYES-KULKARNI

FRIDAY 12/14

Theater BLACK NATIVITY Amun Ra Theatre builds on a holiday tradition with its fourth annual production of this revue-style adaptation of Langston Hughes’ poetic interpretations of biblical Nativity accounts. If last year’s production is any gauge, there’ll be plenty of serious musical talent onstage and soaring gospel-inspired performances. The cast includes Shonka Dukureh, Todd Suttles, Craig Robinson and Elliott Robinson, under the direction of Persephone Felder-Fentress. Peter A. Fields Jr. choreographs, with musical direction by Melvin Lightford Jr. Dec. 13-16 at Looby Theatre; encore performance, Dec. 18 in Cox/Lewis Theatre on the TSU campus. —MARTIN BRADY

Ballet NUTCRACKER Nashville’s holiday spirit would be dimmed considerably if the Nutcracker weren’t around for its annual performances, featuring Nashville Ballet’s marvelous dancers, scores of extras drawn from the community, gorgeous sets and costumes and the timeless music of Tchaikovsky played by the Nashville Symphony. This year’s special guest, in the cameo role of Mother Ginger, is Olympic figure-skater and TV personality Scott Hamilton, who makes an appearance at the 2 p.m. matinee on Dec. 15. Dec. 14-23 in TPAC’s Jackson Hall —MARTIN BRADY

Impov Comedy EXPECTATIONS: A HOLIDAY SKETCH COMEDY SHOW Nothing like comedy to mitigate all that damn holiday cheer. This weekend, Improv Nashville will offer five performances of the Christmas-themed incarnation of their sketch-tastic escapades. What will be up for skewering? Eggnog? Neurotic families? All those pine needles that inevitably fall from Christmas trees? Let’s just hope they throw in a good dreidel joke, for inclusiveness’s sake. Dec. 13-16 at 12South Arts Venue —LEE STABERT

Hands-On Art CHILL: UNTITLED ARTISTS’ GROUP WINTER SHOW Untitled puts the “art” back in party with this one-night-only exhibition of more than 60 up-and-coming local painters, sculptors and photographers at Layl’a. Chill combines the usual Untitled modus operandi with an interactive twist: All attendees to the event will be encouraged to participate with the artists in hands-on, group-art activities. This “Live Art” feature is a sure way to achieve that delicate winter-hipster balance of staying warm and looking cool. Featuring “dope paintings, rad photography and frosty mixed-media,” Chill is also a great opportunity to find—or create—unique gifts for all the good boys and girls on your holiday list. 6-10 p.m. at Layl’a —JOE NOLAN

SATURDAY 12/15

Music HEYPENNY You could go stark raving mad trying to figure out why some hacks rocket from obscurity and some incredibly gifted musicians remain unjustly ignored. Nashville’s Heypenny, a quartet led by singer-songwriter Ben Elkins, haven’t been ignored—some sharp bloggers have lobbed out praises—but they haven’t had near the accolades they deserve. Yes, Heypenny have only one album, the self-released Use These Spoons, but it’s marvelous—filled with funny, quirky songs floating on effervescent melodies. “Brave,” “Walnut Street Bridge” and “Radio” sound impossibly new, as if beamed in from some bright and happy place. This show also gives The Privates an excuse to come out of the cave as they do every few months to distribute a dose of their tightly coiled spastic rock. 9 p.m. at The 5 Spot —WERNER TRIESCHMANN

Naughty Noël PANTY RAID! CHRISTMAS BREAST-TACULAR Blah blah blah Breast-tacular! OK, if you’re still not convinced, behold—straight from Hollywood—Miss Exotic World 2002 (and Marilyn look-alike) Kitten DeVille. As several YouTube videos attest (gee, this job sucks sometimes), DeVille has earned her nickname “Queen of the Quake”: Picture the most bodacious bootay you can imagine, then think of that gyroscopic paint can mixer at Home Depot and…you get the idea. Add to that Panty Raid’s own Lula Licious, Ring Girl Roxxxy, Bianca 13, Hot Lava Lizzie and Mr. Banana Pants (yes, they’re equal opportunity employers), not to mention the leggy Kicky LaRue, bellydance from the Bodhicitta ladies and Gypsyville’s Ann Richardson. Now how much would you pay?! But wait, there’s more! And if you order today, you also get honky-tonk music from Moot Davis, the comedy perversions of host Hugh Mundy (who bids Nashville farewell as he heads to New York City) and theatrical dance from Lala’s Masquerade! Don’t delay! Limited time offer! 9 p.m. at Mercy Lounge —JACK SILVERMAN

Music SCRAP METAL It’s a night of hard rock, hair products and power ballads—though not necessarily in that order—as exiled mid- to late-’80s radio kings assemble to reflect over halcyon days between state fair gigs. Night Ranger’s singing drummer Kelly Keagy, Doublemint blonds the brothers Nelson, Slaughter’s titular frontman Mark and Mr. Big’s Eric Martin have combined to sell over 50 millions albums worldwide and remain firmly rooted in the past—like parachute pants. All but slayed by the advent of grunge, their collective name, Scrap Metal, reflects a sense of humor about their fate. If you lived through their reign, you’re sure to recognize a few of their well-roasted chestnuts, such as “To Be With You,” “After the Rain,” “Fly To the Angels” and perpetual prom staple “Sister Christian.” Though their Aqua Net needs have receded, the need to rock has not, so be sure to pack your Bic. They’re joined by special guest Jimi Jameson (Survivor). 10 p.m. at Wildhorse Saloon —CHRIS PARKERMusic BLACK VAN RECORDS NIGHT Whatever it is, do what you’ve got to do to forget the world exists and wants you dead. Purge. Then you’ll be in fine shape to get apocalyptic at The End, as Brooklyn-based electro label Black Van Records presents DJs Devin Dirt, The Speculator and Oliver Dodd. Dodd’s discography (which includes remixes for the likes of Jade Tree indie-rockers Snowden) stretches from filthy, distorted bass lines and disintegrating data on tracks such as “Zipped Up” to more ethereal, Tangerine Dream-like trips, such as “Daylight Approaches.” On his upcoming release Violent Tendencies, Devin Dirt’s live electronics and damaged club beats have a metallic darkness that steers past cheesy goth-techno and straight into punk rock. As the Black Van website advises, “imagine Iggy Pop and Daft Punk kicking the shit out of each other at an after hours and you get the idea.” Well said. 9 p.m. at The End —AARON JENTZEN

Music KANE WELCH KAPLIN CD RELEASE People find it hard to believe that two distinctive singer-songwriters and a virtuoso multi-instrumentalist—accomplished and respected in their own rights—would want their band to command just as much attention as their solo work. Or so Kane Welch Kaplin have found. The group—now a quartet comprised of Kieran Kane, Kevin Welch, Fats Kaplin and Kieran’s son Lucas Kane—decided to drive home the whole band thing by calling their third album Kane Welch Kaplin. “It didn’t occur to us that we were ever going to have to do that,” says Welch. “Disc jockeys keep going, ‘And now, Kieran Kane and Kevin Welch and Fats Kaplin with Lucas Kane.’” There’s diversity in their repertoire (the elder Kane writes bluesy, pared down incantations, and Welch, winding story-songs) and an undeniable groove to the whole thing (Kaplin knits it together and the two Kanes nudge it along with simple percussion). This is their first proper Nashville show since releasing the album in September. 10 p.m. at 3rd and Lindsley —JEWLY HIGHT

Cookie Party STORYTELLING AND COOKIE DECORATING AT CHEEKWOOD If you keep putting off the cookie decorating at home because it just seems like so much crumby kitchen cleanup waiting to happen, leave the festive mess to Cheekwood. Saturdays through December, you can create edible masterpieces at the cookie-decorating workshop, cuddle up by the fire to hear holiday stories, make a kid-friendly art project or visit the mansion for a scavenger hunt and tour of the holiday trees. Storytelling and cookie decorating take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Frist Learning Center; art activities are from 10 a.m. to noon. All activities are free with Cheekwood admission. Through December at Cheekwood Botanical Garden & Museum of Art —CARRINGTON FOX

Ho, Ho, Ho and A Bottle of Rum RUNNING OF THE SANTAS PUB CRAWL It’s barely mid-December, and already the Santas are everywhere! Literally. This year, the Running of the Santas bar tour comes to Nashville. Beginning in Philadelphia with 40 people in Santa costumes, this phenomenon has now spread to 12 cities nationwide. Registration—and the drinking—begins at 11 a.m. at McFadden’s. From there, the red army will head down Second Avenue, making stops at Piranha’s, Hooters and Buffalo Billards, and leaving gifts along the way—if you count vomit and images young children will never recover from. At 6 p.m. the Santas will run (stumble, meander) back to “The North Pole” (McFadden’s again) to finish their evenings, and hopefully have some success getting someone to sit on their knee. For information, visit runningofthesantas.com. 11 a.m.-close on Second Avenue —LEE STABERT

Music TRACE ADKINS He’s a big man with a big ol’ deep voice—and he’s just released American Man Greatest Hits Vol. II. On that record you can hear Adkins boom out all kinds of material, from ballads to fast-tempo numbers, but the most improbable has to be his big novelty hit, “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk.” Yeah, it’s silly, but it’s the kind of silliness that Nashville does better than anybody else. The fact that Adkins was willing to lend his voice to “Badonkadonk” and other arena rock numbers such as “Swing,” with its hair-metal guitar attack, has certainly kept him current in Nashville’s high-stakes game. Even somebody with a voice as distinct as Adkins’ needs to stay as fresh as possible to keep afloat. 6:30 p.m. at the Grand Ole Opry —WERNER TRIESCHMANN

Music JOHN PRINE It says something that, in a town crawling with singer-songwriters, a performance by John Prine is still an occasion. Prine’s long career began in Chicago’s folk scene in the early ’70s, yet despite the mileage —and throat cancer in the late ’90s—he’s still turning out some of his strongest work. On his latest, Standard Songs for Average People, Prine duets with bluegrass elder statesman Mac Wiseman, pickin’ on Lefty Frizzell’s “Saginaw, Michigan” and wry narratives like “Pistol Packin’ Mama.” Prine’s Oh Boy label also just re-released 2005’s Grammy-winning Fair & Square on vinyl, featuring the expansive “The Moon Is Down” and the Dylanesque “She Is My Everything,” where Prine stomps and croaks through the tangled rhyme: “She knows everybody / From Muhammad Ali to teaching Bruce Lee how to do karate / She can lead a parade while putting on her shades in her Maserati.” 8 p.m. Schermerhorn Symphony Center —AARON JENTZEN

You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out! A CHRISTMAS STORY Steeple Players of Hendersonville tackles the stage version of the lovably hilarious Jean Shepherd story, which captures a 9-year-old’s anxiety-rich Midwest Christmas in the 1940s (known to many through its classic 1983 feature film version). You remember: Ralphie Parker, his Red Ryder BB gun (“You’ll shoot your eye out, kid...”), the obnoxious neighbor’s dogs who destroy the family turkey, the kid Flick who gets his tongue stuck to a light pole in freezing weather, the pink bunny pajamas.... There’s more, and it’s all funny stuff. Co-directed by Carol Stewart and Barb Deacon, this production features Rodney Pickel, Tommy Williams, Jewell Baggett-Strehlau and Dana Wachtel, with Joshua Farris as Ralphie and Caleb Bullock as feared bully Scut Farkas. Through Dec. 16 at 260 W. Main St., Hendersonville —MARTIN BRADY

Holiday Shopping RIVERSIDE VILLAGE HOLIDAY FESTIVITIES Riverside Village is so hot right now. Located at the corner of Riverside and McGavock in East Nashville, this little shopping complex now boasts a coffee shop (Sip Cafe), a pizza parlor (Castrillo’s), a book and record store (Inglewood Backs and Tracks), a music school (East Nashville School of Music) and an all-purpose boutique packed with art, handmade items and hand-picked, refurbished consignment furniture (Neet Designs). This weekend, Neet will hold its Holiday Bazaar, featuring a myriad of items under $100 and discounts on more expensive items. Jewelry, hats and gloves, sculpture, pottery, wall art and more will be available—you won’t have to worry about your loved ones getting the same gift twice. On Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m., Backs & Tracks hosts a holiday open house, including a 2 p.m. performance by The Jack Silverman Ordeal. On Sunday, East Nashville School of Music will also be hosting a holiday reception and recital—yet another reason to head east. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday & 1-5 p.m. Sunday at Riverside Village —LEE STABERT

MONDAY 12/17

Deck the Hall & Oates WARREN PASH'S CHRISTMAS SONG FOR CHARITY Here’s your chance to get your groove on and do something to save the world—all you need is a couple of dollars and a mouse click or two. Warren Pash, who co-wrote the Hall & Oates megahit “Private Eyes,” has been co-writing again, this time with ol’ Saint Nick. The resulting track, “Merry Christmas and Goodnight,” will put some fuel in your Yule, add soul to your Noël, even clear a path for Santa in your chimney, er, Stax. The $2 download charge (at MP3Relief.org) goes to Mercy Corps, an international charity that “exists to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities.” (Mercy Corps gets Charity Navigator’s top rating, with 90 percent of resources allocated directly to programs.) Check out the song and find download links at myspace.com/warrenpash. When those fire-roasted chestnuts start to render you unconscious, this four-minute blast of Booker T.-licious mayhem is the perfect antidote. —JACK SILVERMAN

TUESDAY 12/18

Music THE JONES STREET BOYS On their debut, Overcome, The Jones Street Boys display a nice feel for the melancholia of everyday life, and singer Danny Erker writes genial songs that get a little fuzzy around the edges. The Brooklyn quintet play their modified country-rock sparely and allow a harmonica or a cascading piano lick to color Erker’s narratives. “Grand Canyon” seeks a secular origin for a natural landmark, but Erker opts out of taking sides. “Myself, I’ve never gotten past the view / Well, I’d like to show this canyon to you,” he sings. If “Grand Canyon” suggests Erker’s true métier might be the novelty song, “Oh Night” demonstrates a gift for the killer Southern-rock riff that The Marshall Tucker Band might have envied. Overcome is uncompromising in its commercial purism, but if the band’s sly embrace of heartland values can sound contrived, Erker’s songs possess a unique ease, and his melodies stick with you. 7 p.m. at The Basement —EDD HURT

Redneck Revival A TUNA CHRISTMAS As a tribute to Music City’s devotion to the Greater Tuna franchise, we get this holiday version of the popular redneck comedy. Creators Joe Sears and Jaston Williams have been touring with the Tuna productions since 1982 and, simply stated, they’ve made history, totaling thousands of performances and garnering serious regional awards and critical acclaim. For anyone new to the phenomenon, Sears and Williams enact two dozen eccentric characters from the town of Tuna, Texas, seen here preparing for an ill-fated community production of A Christmas Carol and trying to solve a whodunit when a Christmas lights-and-display contest is sabotaged by a mysterious perp. Dec. 18-23 at TPAC’s Polk Theater —MARTIN BRADY

Music BOB SCHNEIDER’S “SONGS SUNG AND PLAYED ON GUITAR WITH PEOPLE IN THE ROOM TOUR” More than 15 years ago Schneider dropped out of UTEP to front the funk-rap outfit Joe Rockhead. He followed that by fronting Austin indie jam/pop staple Ugly Americans and their antecedent, The Scabs, before making his solo debut on Universal with 2001’s Lonelyland. His major label stay was brief, but at least it earned him attention outside of Texas. He’s been touring hard ever since, and moving further beyond his funk-based pedigree. Last year’s California demonstrated tighter, more focused songs (only two break the four-minute mark), fueled by real foot-tapping rhythms, including the punchy “Blauu” and the infectious two-minute blast “Party at the Neighbors.” Schneider’s always had a great, gruff, bluesy voice and its Seger-esque growl really shines on barroom rave-ups such as “Superpowers” and the title track’s strutting AOR boogie. He’s currently playing pared-back tracks for a solo tour that showcases his lyrical skill and fascination with rock’s three D’s: drugs, dissipation and disaffection. 8 p.m. at Exit/In —CHRIS PARKER

Music TALLEST TREES The project of songwriter Thomas Samuel, Tallest Trees don’t fit all that neatly into any cubbyhole. Their mess spells out in a shambling, drone-swing that’s as melodic as it is odd. The homey lo-fi warmth is reminiscent of early Sparklehorse, and Samuel indulges a similar penchant for shuffling Americana ache. But where Sparklehorse’s Mark Linkous is at heart a rocker, Tallest Trees channel the meditative spirit of the Flaming Lips. Samuel’s wavering baritone even recalls Lips singer Wayne Coyne at times. But while the music possesses a wide, confident sweep, it isn’t particularly grandiose, allowing plenty of light and room for the songs to breathe. Samuel toys with ghostly, elegiac backing vocals, and varies the instrumental focus from acoustic guitar to swooning organ, but in general Tallest Trees are characterized by their elegant simplicity and straightforward grace. 9 p.m. at The 5 Spot —CHRIS PARKER

WEDNESDAY 12/19

Music BEN FOLDS It’s confirmed: Ben Folds is a pretty cool dude. Well, nerdy, yes, but still cool. The piano pop prince is doing just the sort of thing fame and money should allow you to do—play a small venue in your home town to a rabid few faithful. The mere 450 tickets sold have become quite the hot item on the Interweb. (A Google search for “Ben Folds Exit/In” returns Craigslist ($200 for two tickets), eBay and StubHub entries on the first page.) It will be interesting to see how he takes advantage of his return to the clubs—fingers crossed for some old classics. 8 p.m. at Exit/In; Sold out —LEE STABERT

Southern-Fried MINTON SPARKS AND ELIZABETH COOK There’s something appropriate about this pairing. Maybe it’s the fact that neither Minton Sparks nor Elizabeth Cook have a single diluted or smoothed-over element in what they do. Sparks traffics in raw-boned, penetrating storytelling set to sparse accompaniment, Cook in songwriting that’s thoroughly country in sound and theme and sung with a pleasingly sweet, nasal twang. This year Sparks put out a book of vignettes on the theme of tumble-down family—Desperate Ransom: Setting Her Family Free—and Cook released Balls, her excellent Rodney Crowell-produced third album. With tough-talking, tongue-in-cheek references to male anatomy during the honky-tonk title track “Sometimes It Takes Balls to Be a Woman,” Balls doesn’t quite have the Southern gothic ethos of Sparks’ spoken-word compositions, but it’s just as down-to-earth and has no less of a sense of humor. If you’re looking for a potent, plainspoken antidote to holiday schmaltz, these two might be just the thing. 9 p.m. at Station Inn —JEWLY HIGHT