This week brings holiday cheer in just about every musical form, from a bilingual Latin holiday show with Tres Souls to Stanford Jazz Workshop’s annual tradition of performing “A Charlie Brown Christmas;” from a choral “Christmas Spectacular” to an a cappella Hanukkah show, plus a performance by a favorite Peninsula garage band and local music showcases in Mountain View and Redwood City.
Boleros de Navidad with Tres Souls
Los Angeles-based trio Tres Souls specialize in adding a modern spin to the music of the 1940s-’60s, songs from the golden era of Mexican cinema, and boleros. The ensemble presents a bilingual Latin holiday performance — and a unique last opportunity to catch the group in concert, as they announced via social media this fall that they will be disbanding in summer 2025. The trio performs at Stanford Live.
Dec. 14, 7 p.m., at Bing Studio, Stanford. $15-$45. live.stanford.edu.
Fresh Friday – No Strings Attached
Musicians Lucas Tecson and Esther Young are key players at Roger Bar and Restaurant’s monthly No Strings Attached piano-focused event, offered as part of a rotating lineup of Friday music events at the lounge and restaurant inside the Ameswell Hotel. For this December show, Tecson and Young will play three sets throughout the evening, highlighting classic holiday tunes, their own original music and newer seasonal songs, according to an event listing. During the evening, they’ll be accompanied by guest musicians Imelda Young, Alonzo Maldonado, and Christian Hutton.
Dec. 13, 6:30-9:30 p.m., at Roger Bar and Restaurant, the Ameswell Hotel, 800 Moffett Blvd., Mountain View. Free ( those wishing to dine at Roger should make reservations separately). eventbrite.com.
Stanford Jazz Workshop’s ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’
“A Charlie Brown Christmas,” first broadcast back in 1965, is a holiday favorite for many, no doubt at least partially thanks to Vince Guaraldi’s iconic jazz score. And Stanford Jazz Workshop’s concert celebrating that score has become a cherished annual tradition of its own. Pianist Glen Pearson, bassist Ruth Davies and drummer Lorca Hart bring the beloved music of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” to the local community with four performances on campus this holiday season.
Dec. 13-14 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 14-15 at 2 p.m., Campbell Recital Hall, 541 Lasuen Mall, Stanford; $18-$49; stanfordjazz.org.
Sound Union’s Holiday Showcase
Sound Union is downtown Redwood City’s club for music-making and collaborating. This week, a variety of member-musicians take the Sound Union stage to perform in a range of genres and styles in a festive holiday showcase. The event is open to listeners age 21 and up.
Dec. 13, 8-10:30 p.m., Sound Union, 2625 Broadway St., Redwood City; $28; eventbrite.com.
Bay Choral Guild’s Christmas Spectacular
Bay Choral Guild’s holiday concert includes choir music from the Renaissance; a Magnificat by Antonio Nola; Daniel Pinkham’s “Christmas Cantata;” several movements from Handel’s “Messiah;” contemporary takes on favorite Christmas carols; and compositions and arrangements by Bay Choral Guild Artistic Director Sanford Dole (his 2005 Christmas motet “Hodie, Christus natus est” and his 1988 arrangement of the carol “Angels We Have Heard on High”), with accompaniment from brass quintet Golden Gate Brass and organist Tim Getz. According to the program notes by Dole, the show is a “full-on holiday festival, a programming genre that we have not presented in a few years.” Bay Choral Guild was founded in 1979 and performs choral music from a diverse range of time periods and musical styles.
Dec. 14, 7:30 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 625 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto; $30 general/$25 senior in advance; youth under 18 free with ticketed adult and college students are free with student ID; tickets at the door are $35 general/$30 senior; baychoralguild.org/2024-12-christmas.html.
The Members
Catch longtime Menlo Park garage band The Members playing classic rock and favorites from the last few decades at their holiday concert at The Guild Theatre. In addition to their annual Halloween party, which offers a musical treat for the neighborhood each Oct. 31, the group often lends their talents to good causes. A case in point: this holiday show is a fundraiser for the Peninsula Arts Guild, the nonprofit entity that operates the Guild.
Dec. 14, 8 p.m., at The Guild Theatre, 949 El Camino Real, Menlo Park. $28.97-$63.74. guildtheatre.com.
Six13 Hanukkah Special
New York-based a cappella vocal group Six13 comes to the Oshman Family JCC for two performances in celebration of Hanukkah. The six-person band, known for its intricate arrangements and soulful harmonies, has released eight albums, played at the White House and other notable venues nationwide, been featured on television and is “driven by a mission to connect Jews around the world with their heritage through music,” according to the JCC’s website. Drinks and light refreshments will be available for purchase and patrons can preorder food from Holy Sushi to be delivered to the venue.
Dec. 15, 4:30 and 6:30 p.m.; Albert and Janet Schultz Cultural Arts Hall, Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto; $33.85-$55.20; paloaltojcc.org.
