Entertainment

Sarah Brightman, The Lawrence Arms, Chris Isaak and a holiday season full of musical cheer

Posted November 23, 2021 5:00 am

Brian Shamie

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Singer Sarah Brightman will be accompanied by an orchestra and choir as she shares renditions of Christmas classics Friday, Dec. 10, at Chicago's Auditorium Theatre. Courtesy of Sarah Brightman

The season is shining a little brighter this year as the warm glow of stage lights illuminate the musical artists celebrating the holidays at Chicago and suburban venues again after last year's shutdowns.

With tributes, a cappella and symphonic acts, rock and pop concerts and spectacles like Mannheim Steamroller and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra on the lineups - all with their own spins on holiday favorites - music fans can salute the festivities and bring their holiday traditions a little closer to normal.

Keep in mind masks are required and COVID-19 entry protocols are in place at most venues, so check in advance about proof of vaccination or negative tests.

Top of the World - A Carpenters Christmas: 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 28, at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles, (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.

“Lindsey Stirling - Home for the Holidays” theatrical release: Showtimes Sunday and Monday, Nov. 28-29, at AMC Streets of Woodfield 20, AMC Rosemont 18, AMC Randhurst 12, AMC Northbrook Court, Marcus Addison Cinemas, AMC Hawthorn 12, AMC Yorktown 18 and River East 21. Visit lindseystirlingintheaters.com.

Merry Little Soiree featuring the Nova Soul Quartet: 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1, at Rialto Square Theatre, 102 N. Chicago St., Joliet, (815) 726-6600 or rialtosquare.com.

Big Bad VooDoo Daddy's Wild & Swingin' Holiday Party: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2, at Rialto Square Theatre, 102 N. Chicago St., Joliet, (815) 726-6600 or rialtosquare.com.

The St. Charles Singers Candlelight Carols Christmas: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, at Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, 307 Cedar Ave., St. Charles; 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut St., Chicago; and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5, at Baker Church in St. Charles; stcharlessingers.com.

Tall Grass Artists Holiday Jazz Concert: 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, at North Central College's Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville, (630) 637-7469 or finearts.northcentralcollege.edu.

The Nick Moss Holiday Party will feature Oscar Wilson, Kate Moss and Bia Marchese Friday, Dec. 3, at The Venue in Aurora. Courtesy of Chris Monaghan

Nick Moss Holiday Party featuring Oscar Wilson, Kate Moss and Bia Marchese: 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, at The Venue, 21 S. Broadway Ave., Aurora, (331) 212-8490 or themusicvenue.org.

Chicago a cappella's “Holidays a cappella”: 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, at St. Josaphat Church, 2311 N. Southport Ave., Chicago; 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, at Highland Park Community House, 1991 Sheridan Road, Highland Park; 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5, at Community UMC, 20 Center St., Naperville; 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10, at Buchanan Chapel at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 115 E. Delaware Place, Chicago; 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston; 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12, at Pilgrim Congregational Church, 460 Lake St., Oak Park; 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 20, livestreaming event; chicagoacappella.org.

Luminare Rock Christmas Concert: 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, at the Des Plaines Theatre, 1476 Miner St., Des Plaines, (630) 962-7000 or desplainestheatre.com.

Chris White Trio and the music of “A Charlie Brown Christmas”: 7 and 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, and 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5, at Hey Nonny, 10 S. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights, (224) 202-0750 or heynonny.com.

Angela Ingersoll and the “12 Dames of Christmas”: 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5; 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 6; 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7; 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 13; and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 14, at Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, (847) 634-0200 or artistsloungelive.com.

Cirque Musica Holiday Spectacular: 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5, at Rialto Square Theatre, 102 N. Chicago St., Joliet, (815) 726-6600 or rialtosquare.com.

101-WKQX's The Nights We Stole Christmas: 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, Dec. 6-10, at the Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom, 1106 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago. The Lumineers with Michigander on Monday, Dec. 6; The Killers with Girl in Red and The Backseat Lovers on Tuesday, Dec. 7; Kings of Leon with Dayglow and Almost Monday on Wednesday, Dec. 8; Evanescence with Badflower and Cleopatrick on Thursday, Dec. 9; and Rise Against with Chevelle and Des Rocs on Friday, Dec. 10. 101wkqx.com/stole/.

The Chicago Theatre hosts The She & Him "Christmas Party Tour" Tuesday, Dec. 7. Courtesy of Elliot Lee Haze

She & Him “Christmas Party Tour”: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7, at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago. (312) 462-6300 or msg.com.

iHeartRadio 103.5 KISS-FM Jingle Ball Tour: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7, at Allstate Arena, 6920 Mannheim Road, Rosemont. West Coast rapper Doja Cat headlines the holiday affair with a lineup featuring Lil Nas X, Black Eyed Peas, Saweetie, AJR, Tate McRae, Bazzi and Dixie D'Amelio. iHeartRadio will livestream New York's Z100 Jingle Ball on The CW app and CWTV.com at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10. It will also be broadcast on The CW television network nationwide at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 15, and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 25, (847) 635-6601 or rosemont.com.

Chris Isaak's holiday tour stops Tuesday, Dec. 7, at the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles and Saturday, Dec. 11, at the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan. Associated Press file photo

Chris Isaak Holiday Tour: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7, at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles, (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.

Heritage Jazz Orchestra Holiday Special: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 8, at Hey Nonny, 10 S. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights, (224) 202-0750 or heynonny.com.

Ho Ho Hoey with Gary Hoey: 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9, at the Des Plaines Theatre, 1476 Miner St., Des Plaines, (630) 962-7000 or desplainestheatre.com.

The Lawrence Arms' War on X-Mas VII: 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 9-11, at Chop Shop, 2033 W. North Ave., Chicago; Thursday The Lawrence Arms headline with Direct Hit! and Evil Empire, Friday they play with Broadway Calls and Catbite; and on Saturday Elway and The Muslims join them on stage. (773) 537-4440 or chopshopchi.com.

Li'l Ed and the Blues Imperials' “Blue Christmas”: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9, at Hey Nonny, 10 S. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights, (224) 202-0750 or heynonny.com.

Ron's Very Special Christmas Special: 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9, at FitzGerald's, 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn, (708) 788-2118 or fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.

The Dennis O'Brien Band - A Ho Ho Holiday Show: 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 10-11, at The Venue, 21 S. Broadway Ave., Aurora, (331) 212-8490 or themusicvenue.org.

A Celtic Christmas featuring Gavin Coyle: 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10, at the Belushi Performance Hall at the McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn, (630) 942-4000 or atthemac.org.

Singer Sarah Brightman will be accompanied by an orchestra and choir as she shares renditions of Christmas classics Friday, Dec. 10, at Chicago's Auditorium Theatre. Courtesy of Sarah Brightman

Sarah Brightman “A Christmas Symphony”: 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10, at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive, Chicago, (312) 443-2300 or auditoriumtheatre.org.

Million Dollar Quartet Christmas: 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10, at Rialto Square Theatre, 102 N. Chicago St., Joliet, (815) 726-6600 or rialtosquare.com.

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas: 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10, at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont, (847) 671-5100 or rosemont.com.

Shoe Fest Holiday Jam with Old Shoe, Family Groove Company, Strange Arrangement, Terrapin Flyer, Miles Over Mountains and more: 9:30 p.m. Friday, Dec 10, at Golden Dagger, 2447 N. Halsted St., Chicago, (773) 857-0166 or goldendagger.com.

56 Yule Fix: Noon to midnight Saturday, Dec. 11, at Moose Lodge 660, 601 N. Main St., Mount Prospect. Free, but donations of items for teens or funds for Mooseheart School are encouraged. Schedule of bands and Santa visits at 56musicfix.org.

“Duke It Out!”: The Music Institute of Chicago's meshing of Tchaikovsky's classical and Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn's jazz versions of “The Nutcracker” takes the stage at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston, Nichols-Concert-Hall.ticketleap.com.

A cappella showstoppers Straight No Chaser bring holiday favorites to the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago for two shows Saturday, Dec. 11. Courtesy of Straight No Chaser

Straight No Chaser: 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive, Chicago, (312) 341-2300 or sncmusic.com.

Chris Isaak Holiday Tour: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, at the Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan, (847) 263-6300 or geneseetheatre.com.

Black Ensemble Holiday Spectacular: 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11 and 18, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12 and 19, at the Black Ensemble Theater, 4450 N. Clark St., Chicago, (773) 769-4451 or blackensembletheater.org.

Johnny Mathis Christmas Show: 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont, (847) 671-5100 or rosemont.com.

Trans Infinity Orchestra - The Trans Siberian Holiday Show Salute starring Infinity: 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12, at the Des Plaines Theatre, 1476 Miner St., Des Plaines, (630) 962-7000 or desplainestheatre.com.

“Merry Christmas, Darling - Heidi Kettenring Sings Karen Carpenter”: 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 13, and 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 14, at Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, (847) 634-0200 or artistsloungelive.com.

Rob Parton Big Band Christmas Show: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 14, at FitzGerald's, 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn, (708) 788-2118 or fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.

Home for the Holidays with Alyssa Allgood: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 14, at Hey Nonny, 10 S. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights, (224) 202-0750 or heynonny.com.

Merry Little Soiree featuring The Nova Soul Quartet: 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 15, at Rialto Square Theatre, 102 N. Chicago St., Joliet, (815) 726-6600 or rialtosquare.com.

Girls Like Us - Holiday Cheer cabaret: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 15, at Hey Nonny, 10 S. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights, (224) 202-0750 or heynonny.com.

Pentatonix brings "The Evergreen Christmas Tour 2021" to Rosemont's Allstate Arena Wednesday, Dec. 15. Courtesy of Pentatonix

Pentatonix “The Evergreen Christmas Tour 2021”: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 15, at the Allstate Arena, 6920 Mannheim Road, Rosemont, (847) 635-6601 or rosemont.com.

The Empty Pockets - An Americana Holiday: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 15, at City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph St., Chicago, (312) 733-9463 or citywinery.com. The Empty Pockets also offer a livestream option this year, available at citywinery.com.

Squirrel Nut Zippers Holiday Caravan Tour 2021: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 16, at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles, (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.

Café Carly Holidays: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 16, at Hey Nonny, 10 S. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights, (224) 202-0750 or heynonny.com.

Martina McBride: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 16, at Rialto Square Theatre, 102 N. Chicago St., Joliet, (815) 726-6600 or rialtosquare.com.

The Pete Ellman Big Band's Twelve Grooves of Christmas: 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 16, at The Venue, 21 S. Broadway Ave., Aurora, (331) 212-8490 or themusicvenue.org.

Fluorescents headlines the Pop-Punk X-Mas show with Rematch, Wolf Rd and Four Stars at Subterranean Friday, Dec. 17. Courtesy of Alex Zarek

Pop-Punk X-Mas with Fluorescents, Rematch, Wolf Rd and Four Stars: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17, at Subterranean, 2011 W. North Ave., Chicago, (773) 278-6600 or subt.net.

Anthony Bruno Christmas Spectacular: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17, at Hey Nonny, 10 S. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights, (224) 202-0750 or heynonny.com.

A Bing Crosby Christmas with Jared Bradshaw: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17, and 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 20, at Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, (847) 634-0200 or artistsloungelive.com.

Bret Michaels Christmas Party: 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17, at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles, (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.

The Lovehouse Holiday Show: 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17, at FitzGerald's, 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn, (708) 788-2118 or fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.

Ides of March Christmas Show: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, at Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles, (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.

How Mungion Stole Christmas: 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, at Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine, (847) 358-9150 or nelliespalatine.com.

The Redmonds Holiday Show: 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, at FitzGerald's, 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn, (708) 788-2118 or fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.

Have a Merry Mambo! with Angel Rodriguez, the Humboldt Park Big Band, FENIX Dance Group and more: 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19, at Joe's Live, 5441 Park Place, Rosemont, (847) 261-0392 or joesliverosemont.com.

Trans Infinity Orchestra - The Trans Siberian Holiday Show Salute starring Infinity: 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19, at the Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles, (630) 962-7000 or arcadalive.com.

Gaudete Brass Quintet Holiday Tunes: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 21, at Hey Nonny, 10 S. Vail Ave., Arlington Heights, (224) 202-0750 or heynonny.com.

Anderson Family Holiday Jamboree: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 22, at FitzGerald's, 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn, (708) 788-2118 or fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra “Christmas Eve and Other Stories”: 3 and 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 23, at Allstate Arena, 6920 Mannheim Road, Rosemont, (847) 635-6601 or rosemont.com.

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