It’s solstice eve, and due to the coming of another more celebrated eve on Wednesday,
I’m loading the underboughs of this evening with shows to balance the silent nights
ahead. The big shebang is happening over at the Arcata Playhouse, where the Jingle
Jam Holiday Benefit, packed with so many local shining stars, will be happening in two forms, the first at 4 p.m., which will be for children. Santa will be there, and it’s free with an online reservation and an accompanying adult. The main event is happening at the same location at 7 p.m. with a sliding scale cost from $20-$50 and all proceeds go to Humboldt Domestic Violence Service and North Coast Children’s Services. Among the many fine musicians performing are a rock-solid rhythm section courtesy of bassist Danny Gaon, drummer Ramsey Isaacs and pianist Matthew Seno, as well as a whole Twelve Days of Christmas list of singers, including Claire Bent, Ruby Ruth George, Katie Belknap, Jacqueline Dandeneau, some sisters Penner, James Zeller,
Matthew Cox and more.
Around the same time at the Outer Space, there’s a farewell show for Polimana and
Jess Carey, aka Mold, who are leaving the county for a new horizon. Fellow celebrants
include Fig, Sylvie and Petal Talk, a botanically named crew of indie folksters making
good music. Sliding scale and negotiable $5-$10.
OK, two punk shows and one more holiday group jam to finish the menu. The punks are at 8 p.m., with Moss Oak Commons hosting Image Pit, PEST, Radical Apes and
Executive Order for $5-$10 sliding scale, while Siren’s Song Tavern has drinking band
Olympians The Smashed Glass and Generational Trauma for $3. And finally,
keyboard wizard B. Swizlo presents A Funky Ass Humboldt Hip Hop Holiday at
Humbrews at 8:30 p.m. Aboard the mothership tonight are supergroup HOTFOOT
performing the tunes of the late reverend James Brown, along with DJ Goldylocks on
the ones and twos spinning heat for mic snipers like Nac One, Flo J Simpson, RuffIAN
and more. There will also be live art by DMise and Ovr.thr. Woof, what a night!