With December comes a blizzard of holiday shows
From pop, rock and country to classical, blues and international sounds, there’s sure to be an event to suit everyone’s taste
Each year in December, most touring musicians head toward home. But not all of them. Some, like those involved with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, have a long-standing holiday tour tradition. Others, like Il Divo, aren’t necessarily attached to holiday music, yet they do quite well when they perform it.
And in Texas for a few decades now, singer-songwriter types have found venues eager to host them and their songs during December. Austinbased singer-songwriter spouses Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis started mixing fan favorites with holiday songs in a concert setting 20 years ago. It has grown since, and this year they come to Houston to play two different venues (their McGonigel’s Mucky Duck shows took place earlier this week) with their annual holiday show.
While far from exhaustive, here are a few of the holiday shows coming to Houston this month:
A Bronze Christmas: The Houston Bronze Ensemble bills itself as being “dedicated to handbell excellence.” 7:30 p.m. Saturday at MATCH, 3400 Main; 713-521-4533, matchouston.org.
A John Waters Christmas: Filthier and Merrier: Nota concert per set, but a performance by the beloved cult filmmaker. The title is pretty self-explanatory. 8 p.m. Dec. 13 at The Heights Theater, 339 W. 19th; theheightstheater.com.
Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis: Singer-songwriter spouses who are beloved in Texas have been doing their holiday show for 20 years. 8 p.m. Dec. 21 at The Heights Theater, 339 W. 19th; theheightstheater.com.
The 5 Browns: Classical sibling ensemble does an oldschool take on holiday music. 8 p.m. Dec. 21 at the Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice, Galveston; 800-821-1894, thegrand.com.
Gatlin Brothers: The Gatlin Brothers Christmas should have those syrupy and lovely harmonies. 8:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Dosey Doe, 25911 I-45 N., The Woodlands; 281-367-3774, doseydoe.com.
Home for the Holidays: Blues greats Marcia Ball, Carolyn Wonderland and Shelley King come back to Houston for a festive gig. 8 p.m. Dec. 19 at The Heights Theater, 339 W. 19th; theheightstheater.com.
Il Divo: The international quartet has four singers from four countries, crossing over from classical to pop. 7 p.m. Dec. 13 at Revention Music Center, 520 Texas; 713-2301600, reventionmusiccenter.com.
Italian Christmas Concertos: The Mercury Chamber Orchestra looks to Italy for its program. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19 at
MATCH, 3400 Main; 713-5214533, matchouston.org .
Los Texmaniacs: Max Baca’s border-minded ensemble is one of the best live acts in Texas. They’ll play their Holiday Fiesta. 8 p.m. Dec. 27 at The Heights Theater, 339 W. 19th; theheightstheater.com.
Martin Burniston: The beloved singer and storyteller is doing his annual Christmas Singalong for the 29th year. 7 p.m. Dec. 19-21 at McGonigel’s Mucky Duck, 2425 Norfolk; 713-528-5999, mcgonigels.com.
Nollaig: A Celtic Christmas With the Here and Now mixes music and dance. 7 p.m. Dec. 12 at McGonigel’s Mucky Duck, 2425 Norfolk; 713-528-5999, mcgonigels.com.
Pentatonix: A Pentatonix Christmas puts the beloved vocal ensemble in comfortable territory. 7 p.m. Dec. 21 at
Smart Financial Centre, 18111 Lexington, Sugar Land; 281207-6278, smartfinancialcentre.com.
Robert Earl Keen: Keen turned a modern holiday classic, “Merry Christmas From the Family,” into an annual Texas-centric tour called Merry Christmas From the Fam-olee. It will be festive. 8 p.m. Dec. 18 at House of Blues, 1204 Caroline; 888-402-5837, hob.com.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed
Reindeer: The Musical: The show makes appearances at two area venues. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 26 and 1 and 6:30 p.m. Dec. 27 at Jones Hall, 615 Louisiana; 713-227-4772, spahouston.org. Also 1 and 4 p.m. Dec. 28 at the Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice, Galveston; 800-821-1894, thegrand.com.
Season of Light: International Voices Houston, under the direction of Mark Vogel, offers a holiday program that includes music connected to Christmas as well as Diwali, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, 15 and 3 p.m. Dec. 15 at MATCH, 3400 Main; 713-521-4533, matchouston.org.
Steve Krase: Houston-based harmonica ace will bring the blues at his Holiday Ball. 9:30 p.m. Saturday at the Big Easy, 5731 Kirby; 713-523-9999, thebigeasyblues.com.
Sugar Plum Fantasy: The Houston Pride Band offers a program that draws from “The Nutcracker” and other holiday staples. 8 p.m. Friday at MATCH, 3400 Main; 713-5214533, matchouston.org.
Trish & Darin: Houston natives Trish and Darin Murphy have been doing their Christmas Show for a couple of decades now, though this one may not involve Trish cooking now that it has moved out of the Mucky Duck. 8 p.m. Dec. 18 at Rockefeller’s, 3620 Washington; 713-862-4070, rockefellershouston.com.
Wynonna and the Big Noise Christmas: The hitmaking Judds singer runs her big voice through holiday fare. 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the Dosey Doe, 25911 I-45 N., The Woodlands; 281-367-3774, doseydoe.com.
Texas Tenors: (P)operatic Lone Star ensemble is a holiday staple. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15 at the Dosey Doe, 25911 I-45 N., The Woodlands; 281-367-3774, doseydoe.com.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The late composer Paul O’Neill’s grandiose production tours without him but doesn’t skimp on the big sound and light show. 7 p.m. Dec. 22 at Toyota Center, 1510 Polk; 866446-8849, houstontoyotacenter.com.