Holiday Arts Guide: Celebrate with everyone from the Trans-Siberian Orchestra to the Blenders

The holidays are about tradition, and holiday concerts are a big draw for those looking to celebrate. This season’s concert calendar is filled with familiar locals (Lorie Line, the New Standards, Trailer Trash) and touring favorites (Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Michael W Smith, Mannheim Steamroller) eager to provide a little jingle bell swing for fans. Here’s a look at what’s on tap.

The Dakota

Jose James is a Minnesota native living in New York. He’s one of the headliners at the 21st Twin Cities Jazz Festival. (Jazz Fest)

George Maurer Group Annual Holiday Show (7 p.m. Nov. 27; $30-$20); T. Mychael Rambo and the Dakota Present: Hands and Hearts for the Arts (7 p.m. Dec. 3; $30-$20); Travis Anderson Trio’s Charlie Brown Christmas (7 p.m. Dec. 4; $20-$15); Jake Shimabukuro: Holidays in Hawaii (7 p.m. Dec. 5; $65-$55); Nicholas David’s 10th Annual St. Nick’s Day Show (7 p.m. Dec. 6; $40-$35); Karla Bonoff and Livingston Taylor: Home for the Holidays (7 p.m. Dec. 7-8; $75-$65); Holiday Swingin’! A Kat Edmonson Christmas (7 p.m. Dec. 11; $40-$35); Merry Christmas from Jose James (7 p.m. Dec. 12-13; $55-$35); Southside Aces: Christmas in New Orleans (7 p.m. Dec. 14; $20-$15); The Peterson Family: Twas the Jam Before Christmas (7 p.m. Dec. 18-19; $40-$30); Peabo Bryson and Haley Reinhart: Home for the Holidays (6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Dec. 21-22; $75-$60); A Swingin’ Christmas with the Andrew Walesch Big Band (3 and 7 p.m. Dec. 23; $45-$35). Dakota, 1010 Nicollet Ave., Mpls.; dakotacooks.com.

Crooners Supper Club

St. Paul jazz singer Maud Hixson. (Courtesy of Judd Sather)

Ginger Commodore’s Holiday Sugar, Spice and Everything Nice (7 p.m. Nov. 30; $40-$30); Arne Fogel: A Crosby Holiday (8 p.m. Nov. 30, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3; $30-$20); A Charlie Brown Christmas: Tribute to the Music of Vince Guaraldi (7 p.m. Dec. 1; $35-$25); Tony London: Christmas Dreaming (8 p.m. Dec. 1; $45-$35); Erin Schwab and Jay Fuchs: Naughty and Nice (5 and 8 p.m. Dec. 2; $35-$25); “Christmas Memories” record release with Deb Brown (6:30 p.m. Dec. 2; $30-$20); Masters of Improvisation: Ho Ho Holiday Edition (4 p.m. Dec. 3; $35-$25); The Big Christmas Singalong (6 p.m. Dec. 3; $35-$25); Kate Beahen and Friends: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year (6:30 p.m. Dec. 4; $30-$20); Gwen Matthews and Robert Robinson: A Joyful Night Of Christmas (7:30 p.m. Dec. 4; $45-$35); A Blue Christmas with Tim Sparks and Phil Heywood (6:30 p.m. Dec. 5; $35-$25); A Bluegrass Christmas with Monroe Crossing (7:30 p.m. Dec. 5; $40-$30); Back Home for the Holidays: Jennifer Eckes and Kevin Werner Hohlstein (6:30 p.m. Dec. 6; $30-$20); Pat Donohue and the Prairie All-Stars Christmas Show (7:30 p.m. Dec. 6; $40-$30); Joel Shapira Presents: We Three Strings (6:30 p.m. Dec. 7; $35-$25); A Cheeky Christmas: Top of the Naughty List (7 p.m. Dec. 8; $35-$25); Wayne Anthony and Friends: Celebrate Me Home (8 p.m. Dec. 8; $50-$40); Erin Schwab and Jay Fuchs: Naughty and Nice Holiday Extravaganza (5 and 8 p.m. Dec. 9; $35-$25); Gypsy Mania Quartet: Hot Club Holiday Show (6 p.m. Dec. 10; $30-$20); Choro Borealis Presents Samba Claus: A Brazilian Holiday (6:30 p.m. Dec. 11; $35-$25); A Co-MingL Christmas (7:30 p.m. Dec. 12; $40-$30); A Nat King Cole Christmas with Bryan Eng (7:30 p.m. Dec. 13; $45-$35); The Riverside Swing Band: A Vintage Christmas (7:30 p.m. Dec. 14; $35-$25); Lynne Rothrock’s Cool Yule (7 p.m. Dec. 15; $35-$25); Karrin Allyson: Wintry Mix (8 p.m. Dec. 15; $50-$40); Maud Hixson Presents: Happy Holiday (6:30 p.m. Dec. 16; $40-$30); A Christmas Carole Petersen (4:30 p.m. Dec. 17, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17-20; $55-$45); Holiday Sing-Along with Dan Chouinard, Prudence Johnson and Kevin Kling (6:30 p.m. Dec. 20; $30-$20); Holiday Sing-Along with Dan Chouinard and Maria Jette (6:30 p.m. Dec. 21; $30-$20); A Very Diva Christmas (8 p.m. Dec. 21, 5 and 8 p.m. Dec. 23; $40-$30); Mick Sterling Presents An Elvis Gospel Christmas (4:30 p.m. Dec. 22; $40-$30); Debbie Briggs Vintage Jazz: Hometown Holiday (6:30 p.m. Dec. 22; $30-$20); Mick Sterling Presents A Grand Ole Opry Christmas (7:30 p.m. Dec. 22; $40-$30). Crooner’s Lounge and Supper Club, 6161 Highway 65 N.E., Fridley; 763-571-9020 or croonersmn.com.

Chanhassen Dinner Theatres

Kat Perkins

Tickets for Chanhassen Dinner Theatres’ concerts are $64 (dinner and show) and $44 (show only). Rock and Roll Xmas Spectacular (8:15 p.m. Nov. 29-30, Dec. 1-2 and 6-10, 7 p.m. Dec. 3 and 10); Christmas with a Whole Lotta Soul (1 and 8:15 p.m. Dec. 13, 8:15 p.m. Dec. 14); North Country Christmas Featuring Kat Perkins (8:15 p.m. Dec. 15-16, 1 p.m. Dec. 16, 7 p.m. Dec. 17); Celtic Holiday Hooley (7:45 p.m. Dec. 18-20, 2 p.m. Dec. 19, 7:45 p.m. Dec. 20); Christmas on the Prairie (8:15 p.m. Dec. 21-23, 1 p.m. Dec. 23); An Andy and Bing Christmas (8:15 p.m. Dec. 26-29, 1 p.m. Dec. 27 and 29, 1 p.m. Dec. 30). Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, 501 W. 78th St., Chanhassen; 952-934-1525 or chanhassendt.com.

Ames Center

Rocky Mountain High Experience: A John Denver Christmas starring Rick Schuler (7:30 p.m. Nov. 30 and Dec. 1; $90-$75); Dakota Valley Symphony: Home for the Holidays (2 p.m. Dec. 3; $30); Shaun Johnson Big Band Experience (7:30 p.m. Dec. 11; $45); Anthony Shore’s Christmas with Elvis (7:30 p.m. Dec. 13; $53-$33); The Gambler Returns: The Ultimate Kenny Rogers Tribute Christmas and the Hits (7 p.m. Dec. 16; $43); An Andy and Bing Christmas (2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 17; $43-$38); Carpenters Christmas (8 p.m. Dec. 21; $43-$33). Ames Center, 12600 Nicollet Ave., Burnsville; 952-895-4685 or ames-center.com.

The New Standards

The New Standards (Courtesy photo)

Dec. 1-2: The Suburbs’ Chan Poling and his jazz trio the New Standards present their 16th annual holiday show. Expect jazzy takes on holiday classics, special high-wattage surprise guests and plenty of friendly banter from the chatty group, which also features John Munson of Trip Shakespeare and Semisonic on bass and Steve Roehm of Electropolis on vibraphone. 8 p.m. Dec. 1-2, 4 p.m. Dec. 2; State Theatre, 805 Hennepin Ave. S., Mpls.; $134-$29; hennepintheatretrust.org.

Trailer Trash

Trailer Trash’s “Trashy Little Xmas Show.”(Courtesy photo)

Dec. 2, 15-16, 21-23: Minnesota’s own honky tonk masters Trailer Trash are spending December airing their popular Trashy Little Xmas Show in venues across the Twin Cities. 8 p.m. Dec. 2, Parkway Theater, 4814 Chicago Ave. S., Mpls., $40-$30, theparkwaytheater.com; 7 p.m. Dec. 15-16, Hook and Ladder Theater and Lounge, 3010 Minnehaha Ave. S., Mpls., $35-$30, thehookmpls.com; 8 p.m. Dec. 21-23, Turf Club, 1601 University Ave. W., St. Paul, $35-$20, axs.com.

Lorie Line

Pianist Lorie Line. (Courtesy of Lorie Line)

Dec. 2, 16: Pianist Lorie Line celebrates Christmas like no one else, with her 34th annual holiday tour offering 30 shows in eight states. Line, who famously got her start playing in Dayton’s, is touring with vocalist Jimmy Finch and is also offering a virtual concert available from Dec. 16-31 (tickets are $30 via lorieline.com). Line’s Twin Cities performances are in Burnsville (3 p.m. Dec. 2; Ames Center, 12600 Nicollet Ave.; $65; 952-895-4685 or ames-center.com) and Plymouth (3 p.m. Dec. 16; Providence Academy Performing Arts Center, 15100 Schmidt Lake Road; $65; 952-474-1000).

Barenaked Ladies

Barenaked Ladies

Dec. 7: Formed in a Toronto suburb in 1988, pop band Barenaked Ladies are best known for their ’90s hits “If I Had $1000000,” “Brian Wilson,” “One Week” and “It’s All Been Done.” In 2004, they released the seasonally themed “Barenaked for the Holidays” and have since added year-end outings to their tour schedule. 8 p.m.; Mystic Lake Casino, 2400 Mystic Lake Blvd., Prior Lake; $99-$59; 952-496-6563 or mysticlake.com.

The Blenders

The Blenders: Allan Rust, Tim Kasper, Darren Rust and Ryan Lance. (Courtesy of the band)

Dec. 8-10: Vocal group the Blenders have spent decades celebrating the holidays by hitting the road in December. The group has released a handful of best-selling Christmas albums over the years, including their latest “Christmas with the Blenders: Live Studio Sessions.” In addition to showcasing their four-part a cappella harmonies and goofy sense of humor, the guys will perform some songs backed by a live band. 8 p.m. Dec. 8-9, 2 p.m. Dec. 10; Pantages Theatre, 710 Hennepin Ave., Mpls.; $52; hennepintheatretrust.org.

Home Free

A cappella group Home Free.

Dec. 9: The a cappella group Home Free formed in Mankato in 2000, and started self-releasing their own albums in 2007. But after winning NBC’s “The Sing-Off” in 2013, the five-piece group found a national audience. They’ve since released three studio albums through Sony along with a handful of Christmas records including “Full of Cheer” and “Full of (Even More) Cheer.” They’ll play holiday songs along with their arrangements of recent country and pop hits. 6 p.m.; Treasure Island Casino, 5734 Sturgeon Lake Road, Welch; $55-$35; 877-849-1640 or ticasino.com.

Celtic Woman

Celtic Woman

Dec. 9: The Irish music phenomenon once dubbed “Riverdance for the voice” is back on the road for their annual holiday tour. Last year, the group released “Christmas Cards from Ireland” the latest in a series of holiday albums. Expect to hear them perform a mix of seasonal favorites, traditional Irish tunes and their takes on contemporary pop songs. The current lineup of the group includes vocalists Mairead Carlin, Muirgen O’Mahony and Emma Warren along with violinist Tara McNeill. 8 p.m.; Mystic Lake Casino, 2400 Mystic Lake Blvd., Prior Lake; $59; 952-496-6563 or mysticlake.com.

Mannheim Steamroller

Dec. 15: Chip Davis was just another working songwriter — the Ohio native penned the 1975 novelty hit “Convoy” — when he started making classical albums using synthesizers instead of an orchestra. The concept took off and, in 1984, Davis struck gold with the 6-million seller “Mannheim Steamroller Christmas.” He took the music on the road and has continued to do so each December. At the show, he’ll be selling copies of his most recent CD, “Exotic Spaces.” 7:30 p.m.; Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Ave. S., Mpls.; $76-$56; hennepintheatretrust.org.

Michael W. Smith

Singer/songwriter Michael W. Smith performs at Sam’s Place – Music For The Spirit at Ryman Auditorium on Jan. 11, 2015, in Nashville. (Rick Diamond/Getty Images)

Dec. 16: Contemporary Christian star Michael W. Smith can’t help but hit the road each December. As he once put it: “Anyone who knows me knows how much I love Christmas, so I always look forward to (this tour). … Christmas is special. It deserves to be celebrated, and that’s what we plan on doing.” Smith’s pal Michael Tait opens. 7 p.m.; Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Ave. S., Mpls.; $79-$59; hennepintheatretrust.org.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Dec. 30: Founded in 1996 by producer/composer/lyricist Paul O’Neill, Trans-Siberian Orchestra quickly became known for the group’s holiday shows, which feature seasonally themed music performed with the pomp and circumstance (and lasers) of arena rock. O’Neill died in April 2017 due to an unexpected reaction to prescribed medications to treat several chronic illnesses. Three months later, bassist David Z died in a car accident while on tour with Adrenaline Mob. But the surviving members of TSO — which hits the road each year with two separate touring groups — has soldiered on in honor of O’Neill. This year’s program is called The Ghosts of Christmas Eve — The Best of TSO and More. 3 and 7:30 p.m.; Xcel Energy Center, 175 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul; $109.75-$49.75; xcelenergycenter.com.

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