Sound check: Pentatonix, Mannheim Steamroller and other holiday faves in town this week
Feeling festive?
If you're feeling that festive spirit ramping up, maybe it's because three big holiday traditions are touring to the Northwest suburbs this week. First, Mannheim Steamroller blends rock and classical with a high-energy edge at the Rosemont Theatre Friday. Sunday, The Trans-Siberian Orchestra brings its arena-style salute to the holidays to the Des Plaines Theatre with the "Trans Infinity Orchestra," featuring rock band Infinity. Then Wednesday, the Grammy Award-winning a cappella group Pentatonix takes over the Allstate Arena to put its own spin on "Evergreen" faves.
• Mannheim Steamroller at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10, at the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road, Rosemont. Tickets start at $39 at (847) 671-5100 or rosemont.com.
• "Trans Infinity Orchestra" - The Trans Siberian Holiday Salute starring Infinity at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12, at the Des Plaines Theatre, 1476 Miner St., Des Plaines. $25 at (630) 962-7000 or desplainestheatre.com.
• The Pentatonix "Evergreen Christmas Tour 2021" at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 15, at the Allstate Arena, 6920 Mannheim Road, Rosemont. Tickets start at $40 at (847) 635-6601 or rosemont.com.
Get your Yule Fix
The 56 Yule Fix, the holiday spinoff of Mount Prospect's successful annual 56 Music Fix, returns to Moose Lodge 660 this weekend for a full day of music from - as the tagline "Your Neighbors Rock" indicates - musicians from across the local scene, many from the Mount Prospect area. The lineup features Collision, Third Step on the Moon, yung leo, the Hoot Carolers, Meteor, Ice House Mary and more, along with performances by the Prospect High School Chamber Orchestra and Madrigal choir. Topping it all off like a candy cane in your hot chocolate will be two visits from Santa. (Also, food, drinks and presumably hot chocolate will be available for purchase.) The event is free, but donations of funds or items for teens at the Mooseheart School are requested.
Noon to midnight Saturday, Dec. 11, at Moose Lodge 660, 601 N. Main St., Mount Prospect. Free, but donations are encouraged. Schedule of bands and Santa visits at 56musicfix.org.
Bringing back Boy Bands
If you want to forget about the holidays for a bit, Boy Band Review is bringing its time-warp spectacle to Nellie's this weekend. With frosted tips and high-energy moves, Boy Band Review's fun set list digs up favorites from New Kids on the Block, Boyz II Men, Backstreet Boys and N'Sync all the way through modern-era hits ... along with a few unexpected treats.
10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10, at Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine. $10 at (847) 358-9150 or nelliespalatine.com.
• Brian Shamie is a Daily Herald multiplatform editor and local music junkie. Email him at bshamie@dailyherald.com, find him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter (@thatshamieguy) or Instagram (@chicagosoundcheck). Brian also keeps tabs on the local music scene at chicagosoundcheck.com.