THE YEAR OF MUSIC

Mountain View salutes James Joyce. Calgary Opera sticks with Christmas.

Friday: Walt Weiskopf & Peter Zak Quartet

Weiskopf, a saxophonist who is often a sideman, most notably with Steely Dan, takes centre stage. He and Zak, a pianist, bring new recordings ( The Way You Say It and Standards, respectively) to launch this season of JazzYYC’s Illumin8 series. At King Edward Hotel, 438 9th Ave. S.E. 8 p.m. $25. jazzyyc.com.

Friday: All Hands on Jane EP release, with The Electric Revival and Mammoth Grove

The purveyors of self-described grunge blues have a prescription for the season on their new EP, Sorry I

Set You on Fire: a little ditty called ”Whiskey in the Winter.” At Nite Owl, 213 10th Ave. S.W. 9 p.m. $12 at the door. 403-719-8145, niteowlyyc.com.

Sunday: Toy Wonder

The Youth Singer’s show is all about Christmas. The show follows the journey of a toy through eight decades of Christmases; audience members are encouraged to bring unwrapped toys to contribute to the Toy Angels Campaign. At Jubilee Auditorium, 1415 14th Ave. N.W. 6 p.m. $25 - $43. TM.

Sunday and Monday: Repository of Musical Dreams

Mountain View Connection presents a “musical tribute to James Joyce.” The evening includes works by Lee Hoiby and Gustav Mahler. Focus; don’t surrender to the stream of consciousness. At Lougheed House, 707 13th Ave. S.W. 7:30 p.m. $30 - $40. 403-828-0825, mvfest.wordfest.com.

Thursday: Christmas at the Opera

A Christmas dinner goes horribly wrong in Doctor Miracle, Georges Bizet’s early operetta, which the composer later cannibalized for melodies used in Carmen and The Pearl Fishers. The Calgary Opera mixes in carols to make sure the piece is saturated with the Christmas spirit. At Mamdani Opera Centre, 1315 7th St. S.W. 7:30 p.m. $40. 403-262-7286, calgaryopera.com.