GOING OUT BEST BETS

ROCK LYNNSAXBERG

Remember Autumns Cannon, the Shaun Francisco-led outfit that was once one of Ottawa’s most promising bands? They’re back, but they’ve changed their name to Cannons, toughened up their sound and are relaunching themselves with a new EP containing a batch of slick, rock, radio-friendly tunes, co-produced with heavyweights Gavin Brown and the Trews’ John-Angus MacDonald. Help them celebrate the new release at the Rainbow Bistro on Saturday, along with Bluestone and Allison Rose. Showtime is around 9:30 p.m. Admission is $12 at the door.

GOSPEL LYNNSAXBERG

The Rev. Ernie Cox revives his Christmas Gospel Celebration in a new venue this year. After a year off, the retired pastor from Fourth Avenue Baptist Church, who used to play organ and piano with the Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir, continues his tradition of celebrating the season with a full-on gospel performance. He’ll be joined by a band, including horns, and the London Trio Plus, an Ottawa gospel choir. Performances take place at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16 and 17 at the McPhail Baptist Church, 249 Bronson Ave. Tickets are $35 at erniecox.com and at the door.

CLASSICAL PETER HUM

Mozart and Stravinsky will be on the bill tonight and Friday when the acclaimed German conductor Matthias Pintscher takes the helm of the NAC Orchestra in Southam Hall. Mozart’s Sinfonia concertante for Violin and Viola leads off, followed by Stravinsky’s Italian-influenced music for the 1920 ballet Pulcinella. Tonight’s concert is at 8 p.m., Friday’s concert is at 7 p.m., and tickets each night are $29. Friday’s concert is part of the NAC’s Casual Fridays series, meaning that a reception with cocktails, tapas ($8 each) and live jazz will take place at 5 p.m. in Southam Hall’s lobby. It will be followed by the 90-minute concert at 7 p.m., followed by a free holiday-themed post-concert party with Mercury Lounge DJ Trevor Walker.

JAZZ PETER HUM

Ottawa’s avant-garde jazz musicians are nothing if not traditional when it comes to staging A Very Ayler Christmas!, an annual show that since 2006 has blended carols with the compositions of the fiery, 1960s free-jazz saxophonist Albert Ayler. The year’s rendition is Sunday at 7 p.m. at House of Common (11b Fairmont Ave.) and it will feature project leader Bernard Stepien on saxophone and accordion, Jennifer Giles on accordion, guitarist David Jackson, keyboardist Adam Saikaley, saxophonists David Broscoe and Linsey Wellman and drummer Scott Warren. A donation of up to $10 is suggested.