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What to hear in New Orleans during the week leading up to Christmas?

By Keith Spera

What to hear in New Orleans during the week leading up to Christmas?

The nights are not so silent in New Orleans music clubs in the days leading up to Christmas.

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

SATURDAY, HOUSE OF BLUES

For 20 years now, the annual Home for the Holidays benefit concert has raised money for the NOCCA Foundation's Daniel Price Memorial Fund for Aspiring Artists. The fund's namesake, Daniel Price, was a 1993 New Orleans Center for Creatives Arts graduate in visual arts who was killed in San Francisco in 2003. Seeking a way to memorialize their son in a positive way, his family joined with NOCCA to create the memorial fund to provide scholarships. In its first 20 years, the Daniel Price Memorial Fund has raised more than $500,000.

Saturday's lineup at the House of Blues boasts Irma Thomas, the Rebirth Brass Band, trumpeter Kermit Ruffins, vocalist John Boutte, DJ Raj Smoove and Flagboy Giz, plus emcee Gralen Banks.

Tickets for Home for the Holidays start at $79.50, including taxes and ticketing fees, and are available at www.noccafoundation.org/holiday.

FLOW TRIBE'S 'CHRISTMAS CRUNKTACULAR'

THURSDAY, TIPITINA'S

Formed in New Orleans in 2004, Flow Tribe has spent 20 years evolving into one of New Orleans' tightest bands, churning out airtight grooves spiked with surging horns and strong melodies. This summer, Flow Tribe released its fifth album, "Garden of Earthly Delights"; keyboardist and vocalist Ivan Neville is featured on the opening cut, "Keep Pushing." The band and its trumpeter/vocalist frontman, K.C. O'Rorke, have never shied away from showing off their silly side. That is especially evident during Flow Tribe's annual "Christmas Crunktacular," a seasonal-themed blowout at Tipitina's. Thursday's edition doubles as a celebration of New Orleans piano legend and Tipitina's patron saint Professor Longhair's birthday. To that end, the show includes the Professor Longhair Memorial Band featuring Tom Worrell, John Fohl, Reggie Scanlan, Eddie Christmas and Michael Skinkus, plus special guests River Eckert and Luciano Leães. The show kicks off at 7:45 p.m.; tickets are $18.

OTHER NOTEWORTHY SHOWSTHURSDAY

New Orleans vocalist extraordinaire John Boutte hosts a "Holiday Jam Edition" of his "Songs and Stories" show at the Broadside's indoor stage at 7 p.m. ($22 and up).

Colter Wall tops a country bill at the Fillmore; tickets start at $64 plus fees.

Once upon a time, Kate Fagan was a Chicago-based punk rocker whose early-'80s single "I Don't Wanna Be Too Cool" was a hit on Wax Trax Records. Now Fagan is based in New Orleans, where for the past five holiday seasons, she's staged a Christmas-themed cabaret show called the "HoHoHo Holiday Party." The sixth installment is Thursday at Chickie Wah Wah and features Hagan, Tom Hook, Jeremy Joyce, Sam Albright and Rich Collins. Advance tickets start at $25.

The New Orleans-based Saturn Quartet includes four musicians who met as students at Florida State University's jazz studies program. They released their debut album, "Synchronicities," in 2022. They're joined by percussionist Jason Marsalis for sets at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Thursday at Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro on Frenchmen Street ($25).

Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band lead the dancers for the weekly Zydeco Night at Rock 'N' Bowl ($15).

BC3, a trio consisting of guitarist Bert Cotton, drummer Doug Belote and bassist Noah Young, grooves at the Maple Leaf Bar at 8 p.m. ($15 advance, $20 door).

FRIDAY

Blues-based guitarist, singer and actor Chris Thomas King fronts a trio at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Friday at Snug Harbor ($30).

Veteran roadhouse blues guitarist Little Freddie King and his band roll into BJ's Lounge in Bywater, plugging in from 9:30 p.m. to midnight.

Jam-band guitarist Billy Iuso plays the songs of Bob Dylan, backed by bassist Reggie Scanlan, keyboardist Joe Ashlar and drummer Eddie Christmas, at the Broadside's indoor stage at 7 p.m. ($15 plus fees).

Keyboardist Andriu Yanovski leads his band at the Maple Leaf at 8 p.m. ($15 advance, $20 door). Later on Friday, the Maple Leaf hosts guitarist Steve Kelly's band starting at 11 p.m. ($15 advance, $20 door).

Local Americana band the Hawtsies are at Chickie Wah Wah with Michael Hurtt & the New Orleans Night Howlers ($18).

Rock band Few Blue hits Rock 'N' Bowl ($10).

SATURDAY

Spend "Christmas with the Queen Diva" as Big Freedia headlines Tipitina's with a holiday-themed bounce blowout. Singer Anjelika "Jelly" Joseph opens the show at 9 p.m. Tickets start at $30.

John Ellis, the versatile modern jazz saxophonist who spent many years on the New Orleans scene, returns to front an all-star ensemble at Snug Harbor at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. ($35).

Chickie Wah Wah hosts "A Songwriters' Tribute to Jimmy Buffett" featuring Don Cook, Dick Deluxe, Sam Price, Ethan Shorter and Keiko Komaki ($20).

Melvin Funkenstein's "Hannukah Funkstravaganza" at the Maple Leaf Bar kicks off at 11 p.m. with Alvin Ford Jr., Brad Walker, Ari Teitel, Andriu Yanovski, Emmanuel Echem and Tony Hall ($20 advance, $25 day of show).

Cover bands the Chee-Weez and Category 6 team up at Rock 'N' Bowl ($15).

SUNDAY

Members of the late local legend Walter "Wolfman" Washington's band, the Roadmasters, stage a birthday tribute to the Wolfman at the Maple Leaf. The Roadmasters will be joined by a litany of special guests, including Mia Borders, Joe Krown, Papa Mali, Lynn Drury, Terry Scott, Jason Ricci, Brother Tyrone and Cole Williams. Show time is 8 p.m.; tickets are $20 advance, $25 at the door.

The annual Masakowski Family Christmas Show at Snug Harbor includes New Orleans modern jazz guitar legend Steve Masakowski, his vocalist daughter Sasha Masakowski and his bassist son Martin Masakowski. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.; tickets are $30.

The Solstice Circle features Tif "Teddy" Lamson, Leyla McCalla and Helen Gillet at Chickie Wah Wah ($20 advance, $25 door, plus fees).

MONDAY

Trombonist Corey Henry & the Treme Funktet throw down for the "Bah Humbug Ball" at the Maple Leaf. Costumes are encouraged. Tickets are $15 advance, $20 at the door.

Singer and entertainer Charmaine Neville holds down her weekly gig at Snug Harbor at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. ($25).

WEDNESDAY

Most venues are closed on Christmas. But Meters bassist Geroge Porter Jr. will celebrate his "Lucky 77th" birthday at the Maple Leaf Bar at 9 p.m. Tickets are $20 advance, $25 at the door.

Also, Rock 'N' Bowl has Kenny Kerth singing "classic New Orleans songs"; tickets are $5 at the door, cash only.

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