Music notes: Jim Peterik, Ides rock in the holidays

The Ides of Christmas

The Arcada Theatre brings back an annual tradition: The Ides of March Christmas with Jim Peterik. Catch the rock band as they play their hits, plus maybe a few hard-core holiday favorites. A few surprise guests also will be on hand to rock the night. 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $39-$49. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.

Buncha Characters

Shed the shivers with some musical sunshine: Indie rock band Minor Characters dabbles in strums and chords at once both classically pop and comfortably tropical. Not too light and not too heavy, Minor Characters' music is just right - like that fun, chill early evening set at a breezy summer music festival. Minor Characters - featuring Roselle natives Andrew Pelletier and Thomas Benko, as well as Shelby Pollard and Adam Wayne - will be joined by fellow Chicago rock bands Furr and Great Moon. 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, at Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western Ave., Chicago. $8-$10. (773) 276-3600 or emptybottle.com.

Steamrolling into the holidays

With Mannheim Steamroller's revolutionary 1984 album "Christmas," Chip Davis and his new-age progressive rock group put a fresh and sparkly face on many well-loved holiday classics. And 32 years later, his take on favorite carols still draws huge crowds to live performances. If you're in need of a dose of cheer (complete with a light show), head to Rosemont for this holiday tradition. 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. $39-$199. (847) 671-5100 or rosemont.com/theatre/events/mannheim-steamroller.

Palatine's Ripp returns to Chicago

Pop rock singer-songwriter Andrew Ripp climbed into the spotlight writing a song popster Ryan Cabrera took to the Billboard charts. But it was his emotive vocals that really launched the career of the Palatine native. Now residing in Nashville, Ripp is making a visit to the old neighborhood with a show at City Winery, joined by Chicago acoustic jam rock band Stellar Road. 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20, at City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph St., Chicago. $15-$20. (312) 733-9463 or citywinery.com.

Concerts

Shiny Penny, Ember Oceans: 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, at Schubas Tavern, 3159 N. Southport Ave., Chicago. $10-$12. (773) 525-2508 or lh-st.com.

"A Celtic Christmas With Gavin Coyle": 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, at the McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Holiday favorites from America and Ireland. Proceeds benefit Peoples Resource Center, a local nonprofit serving DuPage County since 1975. $35. atthemac.org.

Jeff Givens and The Mugshot Saints: 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, at Frankie's Blue Room, 16 W. Chicago Ave., Naperville. Southern rock, rock, blues and folk. $7. frankiesblueroom.net.

Chris Lane, Morgan Wallen and Spencer Crandall: 8:15 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, at Joe's Live Rosemont, 5441 Park Place, Rosemont. Country. $12. joesliverosemont.com.

The Disappointments: 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, at Trophy Room, 170 W. Ontario St., Chicago. $5. (312) 600-6920 or trophyroombar.com.

Sam Cockrell Blues Band: 9:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, at Harlem Avenue Lounge, 3701 S. Harlem Ave., Berwyn. Blues, funk and soul. $6. (708) 484-3610 or harlemavenuelounge.com.

Afterlife featuring Robbie Rivera, Kings of Class, Nikho, Russ Christopher, G-Note, Dangerwayne and more: 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, at Annex Nightclub, 1958 W. North Ave., Chicago. $5-$10. (630) 291-5986 or afterlifechi.com.

Fireworks for Buddha, City Under Siege, Rookie of the Year, The Linden Method, Talk To You Never: Noon Saturday, Dec. 17, at Reggies, 2109 S. State St., Chicago. Free benefit concert for Hope for the Day; The Linden Method will be collecting toys to donate to Lurie's Children's Hospital after the show. (312) 949-0120 or reggieslive.com.

Music of the Baroque: Holiday Brass and Choral Concerts: 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 17-18, at Chapel of the Holy Spirit (Divine Word), 2001 Waukegan Road, Techny (near Northbrook). Solemn chant, ancient carols, and works for brass and more. $30-$90. baroque.org.

Schaumburg Youth Choir with Presto! Holiday Concert: 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at the Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. Classical, holiday tunes and more. $15-$24. (847) 895-3600 or villageofschaumburg.com.

"Christmas With The King and Billie Holiday" with Brandon Bennett and Alexis J. Roston: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan. $35-$45. (800) 982-2787 or ticketmaster.com.

"Season of Light With Megon McDonough": 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at The Wilmette Theatre, 1122 Central Ave., Wilmette. Holiday favorites and original holiday tunes. $30 in advance; $35 at the door. (847) 251-7424.

Emanation X featuring Parker Grogan, Thomas Benko, Dom Gray and Allen Epley: 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at Century Mallet, 1770 W. Berteau Ave. #204, Chicago. $5-$10. (773) 248-7733 or centurymallet.com.

Tomseen Foley's A Celtic Christmas: 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, at the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts at the College of Lake County, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. An evening of Irish music, dancing and storytelling. $12-$35. (847) 543-2300 or jlcenter.clcillinois.edu.

Lee Murdock: 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec, 18, at Primo Restaurant, 720 Milwaukee Ave., Gurnee. Ragtime, Irish, blues, folk and maritime traditions. Sponsored by the Lake County Folk Club. $10-$15. Call for reservations at (847) 602-8882. thelakecountyfolkclub.org.

101WKQX and Demo312 presents Home for the Holidays featuring The Mizzerables, Heligoats, Bad Bad Meow, Ganser, Post Child: 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 19, at House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. $10. (312) 923-2000 or houseofblues.com.

As Is, Scout Ripley, Bicycle: 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20, at SPACE, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston. $7. (847) 492-8860 or evanstonspace.com.

A TD Clark Christmas: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21, at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $15. (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.

• Information is provided by the entertainment venues. Check with the venue before purchasing tickets. For more listings, visit dailyherald.com/calendar.