ANDREW DANSBY’S CONCERT PICKS
Here are five live events recommended for the coming week.
Beetle
Back in June, Houston’s Beetle — a band that played Beatles covers weekly at the Continental Club for more than two decades — ended its beloved tradition. For those missing the ritual, this week offers opportunity to get back to where they once belonged. The members of Beetle are all in town and will suit up to play a few hours of Fab Four favorites.
When: 7 p.m. Dec. 22
Where: Continental Club, 3700 Main
Details: $10; continentalclub.com
‘Stop Making Sense’
Earlier this year, the Jonathan Demme’s classic concert film “Stop Making Sense” — which captured the Talking Heads at the band’s peak — was reissued for IMAX with revelatory updates to its picture and sound. The Friends of the River Oaks Theatre presents a screening of Demme’s masterpiece at a Stop Making Sense Dance Party that will include Talking Heads karaoke after the film. If you’ve kept an oversize suit in the closet, this is the night to wear it. When: 7 p.m. Dec. 28
Where: White Oak Music Hall, 2915 N. Main
Details: $15; whiteoakmusichall.com
Mandy Gonzalez
The Houston Symphony offers a six-performance run of holiday music starting with its Very Merry Pops show featuring Broadway star Mandy Gonzalez, conductor Lucas Waldin and the Houston Symphony Chorus. In addition to four evening shows between Dec. 20 and 23, Gonzalez and Waldin will join the symphony for Holly Jolly Holiday, a pair of shows for children.
Very Merry Pops
When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20-23 Where: Jones Hall, 615 Louisiana Details: $58-$160; houstonsymphony.org
Holly Jolly Holiday When: 10 and 11:30 a.m. Dec. 23 Details: $39-$49; houstonsymphony.org
30 Foot Fall
Another Houston institution, Houston’s 30 Foot Fall, celebrated its 30th anniversary. The venerable punk band offers one of the city’s longest-running musical traditions with its annual holiday show. For those seeking something louder than caroling and company other than family, 30 Foot Fall’s Christmas Night checks both boxes.
When: 8 p.m. Dec. 25
Where: Secret Group, 2101 Polk
Details: $15; 832-898-1088, thesecretgrouphtx.com
Bob Schneider
Bob Schneider has — at least for now — paused his lavish annual holiday extravaganza with his Moonlight Orchestra. But the Austin singer-songwriter still leaves time during the holiday season to play here. As for the set list, he can pull from holiday classics, his own discography as well as songs from his time in the Ugly Americans and the Scabs.
When: 7 and 9:30 p.m. Dec. 28 Where: McGonigel’s Mucky Duck, 2425 Norfolk
Details: $50; mcgonigels.com