San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Holiday concerts are back — here’s where to listen
After spending the last two holiday seasons bundled up on the couch in your pajamas because of you-know-what, it’s time to get dressed up and head out on the town to hear your favorite festive tunes live. From local cabaret acts to blockbuster radio shows boasting the year’s most popular hitmakers, there are plenty of opportunities big and small to make your days merry and bright, and leave your ears ringing through the night.
Here are some of the holiday-themed shows coming through the Bay Area.
Michael Feinstein’s ‘Home for the Holidays’
Even though he’s based in New York these days, Feinstein comes home for the holidays.
Performing at the San Francisco club that bears his name, the two-time Emmy Award winner returns to the city where he launched his career for his annual Christmas fete, where he plans to sing seasonal favorites and classics from the Great American Songbook.
8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Nov. 25-26. 5 p.m. Nov. 27. $145. Feinstein’s at the Nikko, 222 Mason St., S.F. www.feinsteinssf.com
A John Waters Christmas
The director of cult film classics “Hairspray” and “Pink Flamingos,” whom William Burroughs once crowned the Pope of Trash, puts a tawdry spin on holiday festivities with his annual one-man show.
Featuring seasonal stories, film clips and his favorite leftfield holiday jingles — such as Akim and the Teddy Vann Production Co.’s “Santa Claus Is a Black Man” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” as performed by Tiny Tim — it is a Christmas tradition unlike any other.
DJ Omar is also on the bill.
8 p.m. Nov. 29. $67.50-$135. Great American Music Hall, 859 O’Farrell St., S.F. www.gamh.com
Alice in Winterland
On a break from his gig with Dead & Company, John Mayer returns for another solo show at Alice radio’s annual holiday concert.
Alice in Wonderland veterans OneRepublic and San Francisco singer-songwriter Matt Nathanson are also on the bill for the concert, alongside last-minute additions Kelsea Ballerini and Lizzy McAlpine.
7:30 p.m. Dec. 2. $26-$176. SAP Center, 525 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose. www.ticketmaster.com
‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’
Adam Shulman, the San Francisco pianist best known for his work with bassist/composer Marcus Shelby and vocalist Paula West, revives the holiday tradition of performing Vince Guaraldi’s soundtrack to the 1965 Charles Schulz classic, “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”
7:30 p.m. Dec. 3. $40-$95. 201 Franklin St., Miner Auditorium, SFJazz Center, S.F. www.sfjazz.org
99.7 Poptopia
99.7 Now’s annual holiday
hit parade includes the Grammy Award-winning rapper Pitbull, who is sure to deliver his party anthems like “Give Me Everything” and “Timber.”
He’ll top a bill with former Disney Channel star Dove Cameron, pop singer Lauv and a slate of up-and-coming hitmakers that includes the Driver Era, Huddy, Jax and Nicky Youre.
6:30 p.m. Dec. 3. $26-371. SAP Center, 525 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose. www.ticketmaster.com
Kim Nalley’s Gospel Christmas
In her annual holiday show, jazz and blues vocalist Kim Nalley recasts her favorite holiday songs with some special guests.
For the family-friendly Gospel
Christmas, the singer will be accompanied by pianist Tammy Hall, bass player Michael Zisman and drummer Kent Bryson.
4 p.m. Dec. 18. $60. Feinstein’s at the Nikko, 222 Mason St., S.F. www.feinsteinssf.com
Lindsey Stirling
The dancing violinist, who has performed at Outside Lands and collaborated with the likes of John Legend and Josh Groban, brings her genrebending holiday show back to the South Bay.
On her “Snow Waltz” Tour, the former “Dancing With the Stars” and “America’s Got Talent” contestant offers dramatic rearrangements of holiday classics like “Let It Snow,” “Silent Night” and “Carol of the Bells.”
8 p.m. Dec. 20-21. $45-$265. San Jose Civic, 135 San Carlos St., San Jose. www.ticketmaster.com
Aidin Vaziri is The San Francisco Chronicle’s pop music critic. Email: avaziri@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @MusicSF