Music notes: Bret Michaels, Veilside, Jimi Falls head H.O.M.E.

<h3 class="briefHead">True Bret</h3>

Former Poison frontman Bret Michaels released a new album, "True Grit," in April of this year, and he put together a hard-rocking tour to show it off. His stop at H.O.M.E. Bar in Arlington Heights features the local talents of Veilside and Jimi Falls. Veilside, with ties to both the suburbs and Chicago, has been playing its melodic rock on the local scene since 2004. Jimi Falls, the brainchild of Elk Grove's Brandon James, rolled out a new lineup in 2014, specializing in original hard rock. Having played with Michaels before, expect Jimi Falls to put on a high-energy stage show. 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, at H.O.M.E. Bar, 1227 N. Rand Road, Arlington Heights. $40; (847) 577-4663 or homebarchicago.com.

<h3 class="briefHead">Popes play the Bear</h3>

Suburban pop-punk band Smoking Popes, born in the early '90s, delighted fans by reuniting in 2005 after going on hiatus in 1998. Since then, the band has been consistently busy, playing the Chicago scene and putting out 2011's "This Is Only a Test." Catch the Popes, now with its full original lineup, as the band plays the Merry Swizzle Christmas show at Chicago's Cubby Bear Friday, Dec. 18. The band is joined by alternative rockers AM Taxi, comprising members from the Western suburbs and Chicago, and Villa Park-based punk rockers Showoff. 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, at The Cubby Bear Chicago, 1059 W. Addison St., Chicago. $25; (773) 327-1662 or cubbybear.com.

<h3 class="briefHead">The Academy Is ... back</h3>

After a successful reunion show at this fall's Riot Fest, The Academy Is ... has made the reunion tour official. Spending December touring North American venues they visited during their eight years touring, the Northwest suburban-bred pop-punk rockers pay a visit to Chicago's House of Blues with California rockers PARTYBABY in tow. Expect to hear fan favorites from the band's influential first release, 2005's "Almost Here," and 2008's "Fast Times at Barrington High," which made it onto Rolling Stone Magazine's 50 Best Albums of the Year. 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20, at House of Blues Chicago, 329 N. Dearborn St., Chicago. $25; (312) 923-2000 or houseofblues.com.

<h3 class="briefHead">Upcoming concerts</h3>

Bret Michaels, Veilside, Jimi Falls: 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, H.O.M.E.: House of Music and Entertainment, 1227 N. Rand Road, Arlington Heights. Rock. Concert for ages 21 and older. $40. (847) 577-4663 or homebarchicago.com.

Green Oaks Holiday Chorus with 26th Annual Christmas Concert: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 29700 N. St. Mary's Road, Libertyville. Concert to benefit P.A.D.S. of Lake County (homeless shelter system). Holiday tunes and a singalong. Call (847) 362-3809 for more info and alternate date in case of severe weather. Free; any donation to P.A.D.S. of Lake County would be appreciated. Visit holycrosschurch.org.

Palatine Park District's Allegro Community Chorus with "Pure Imagination" concert: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, Cutting Hall Performing Arts Center, 150 E. Wood St., Palatine. Holiday music, well-known songs from films and more. Tickets are $5 in advance; $8 at the door. (847) 202-5222 or cuttinghall.org.

Gavin Coyle with "A Celtic Christmas": 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, McAninch Arts Center at the College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. $30. (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org.

Ides of March Christmas Show with Jim Peterik: 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. $39-$49. (630) 962-7000 or oshows.com.

The Tenors: 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, Pfeiffer Hall at North Central College, 310 E. Benton Ave., Naperville. Classical and more. $65-$85. (630) 637-7469 or northcentralcollege.edu.

"It Was a Very Good Year: A Birthday Tribute to Frank Sinatra": 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave., Skokie. Musical tribute to Frank Sinatra, featuring vocalists Mark Madsen, Bob Moreen, Daryl Nitz and Bob Solone; special guest is Denise Tomasello. Family-friendly concert. $28. (847) 677-7761, or visit skokietheatre.org.

Uncovered: 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, The Broken Oar, 614 Rawson Bridge Road, Port Barrington. Classic rock covers and southern rock classics. (847) 639-9468 or brokenoar.com.

Miles Minor Band: 9:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, Harlem Avenue Lounge, 3701 S. Harlem Ave., Berwyn. Blues. $6. (708) 484-3610 or harlemavenuelounge.com.

Presto! Holiday Concert: 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, Prairie Center For The Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg. Classical and popular holiday music. $15-$25. (847) 895-3600 or prairiecenter.org.

Joy to the World: A Community Christmas Carol Singalong: 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, First Congregational Church of Elgin, 256 E. Chicago St., Elgin. Freewill offering welcome. (847) 741-4045.

The Illinois Brass Band with "Holiday Classics" concert: 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, 307 Cedar Ave., St. Charles. Holiday tunes, updates of Christmas favorites and more. Adults: $12; Children and students 18 and under: $6; family: $30 (two adults and up to four children, ages 18 and under). Tickets available in advance at illinoisbrassband.org or at the door on the day of the performance.

22nd Annual Toy-Ful Celebration Concert: 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, Glenview Community Church, 1000 Elm St., Glenview. Join the 45-voice Chancel Choir and the Glenview Concert Band for an evening of holiday music. Concert benefits the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots program. Free admission; guests are asked to bring an unwrapped new toy (or toys) to donate. (847) 724-2210 or gccmusic.org.

Shout Section Big Band's Holiday Concert: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave., Skokie. Jazz, rock, Latin and swing. Tickets $25; $10 for students ages 21 and younger. (847) 677-7761 or visit skokietheatre.org.

Linda Eder: 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles. Broadway, pop and more. (630) 962-7000 or oshows.com.

The Ragged Rascals: An Irish Christmas: 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20, Dellora A. Norris Cultural Arts Center, 1040 Dunham Road, St. Charles. Irish folk band performs Irish favorites and a mix of holiday standards. $10-$15. Visit norrisculturalarts.com.

Oak Park Concert Chorale "What Sweeter Musick" Christmas concert: 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20, St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1025 W. Lake St., Melrose Park. General admission is $18; seniors/students $10. (708) 848-2130 or oakparkconcertchorale.org.

The Lake County Folk club presents Tricia Alexander: 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20, Fatman Bowl, 13860 Rockland Road, Green Oaks. Folk, jazz, seasonal favorties and more. Percussionist Alpha Stewart Jr. also performs. $12 nonmembers; $10 for seniors and members; $5 for teens (suggested donation). Call (847) 602-8882 for reservations. Visit thelakecountyfolkclub.org.

Luis Miguel: 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20, Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. Latin music and more. $79.50-$225. Visit ticketmaster.com.

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