12/24: Free CTB Xmas Mix

Hey, are you having people over tonight or tomorrow? Throw some of these tunes on for some background.

I can't remember where I found all of these tunes. The best holiday mash-ups are from DJBC and his Santastic crew... The Phoenix has given free mixes the past two years... A slew of holiday music posts can be found on Can You See the Sunset and AM Then FM.

The zip file [SendSpace or Mediafire] includes the songs, and I've titled them with my sequence:

1 - "Xmas Party, Part 1" -- Bob & Ray
2 - "Everybody Christmastime" -- Tralalas
3 - "Frosty The Snowman" -- Kay Hanley
4 - "Just Like Christmas" -- Aberdeen City
5 - "James Brown Died on Christmas Day" -- Hands and Knees
6 - "Xmasploitation (Santa's Baddass Revenge)" -- mojochronic
7 - "Happy Christmas" --The Toasters
8 - "Snow Day" -- Bleu
9 - "Christmas Wrapping" -- The Waitresses
10- "Xmas Party, Part 6" -- Bob & Ray
11- "Christmas Is The Time To Say I Love You" -- Billy Squier
12- "Feliz Navidad" -- El Vez
13- "Jingle Bells" -- Reverend Horton Heat
14- "This Christmas" -- The Organ Beats & Friends
15- "O Holy Night" -- South Park
16- "Last Christmas" -- The xx
17- "Xmas Message" -- Barry White
18- "Rocknroll Christmas" -- Quichenight
19- "Everything's Gonna Be Cool This Christmas" -- Eels
20- "Christmas Comes But Once a Year" -- Amos Milburn
21- "Chiron Beta Prime" -- Jonathan Coulton
22- "Hanukkah" -- The Beatlesandlers
23- "Santa Claus" -- The Sonics
24- "A Wicked Hardcore Christmas" -- Big D and the Kids Table
25- "This Time Of Year" -- Mighty Mighty Bosstones
26- Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" -- The Jackson 5
27- "Santa Claus And His Old Lady" -- Cheech & Chong
28- "A Very Whiskey New Year" -- Three Day Threshold & Summer Villains
29- "Christmas Time is Here" -- Vince Guaraldi Trio
30- "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" -- Los Straitjackets

There's a lot of Boston-centric artists, because Boston is awesome.

It sucks to blog from the West Coast, but I will try to update the CTB calendar soon.

SUN 12/25: Sunday Night Off-Topic Video

Ho-ho-ho... Get drunk and recite "Twas the Night Before Christmas" along with the video.

Drunk History Christmas with Ryan Gosling, Jim Carrey and Eva Mendes from Ryan Gosling

SAT 12/25: More Schmaltzy Xmas

Yeah, it's a bit of a cheat to list the same stuff again, but it's still valid...

The Boston Common Frog Pond ($4 / $8 skate rental) is open from 4pm to 9pm.

I think of this as a 'going to the movies' day in general. "Edward Scissorhands" is playing at the Brattle ($9.75) at 9:30pm -- and it does have a Xmas scene in Southern California. (Wow, it's been 20 years since it was released.)

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SAT 12/25 (thru SUN 1/2)

10am to 9pm
The Enchanted Village
at Jordan's Furniture, 100 Stockwell Dr, Avon
FREE

Hours of Operation:

Monday thru Saturday -- 10am to 9pm
Sunday -- 11am to 6pm

Maybe because this chunk of Boston history is part of my childhood memories, but I think the barely-animated displays of winter scenes look really friggin' creepy!

The semi-realistic mannequins that usually have one slowly-moving element reminds me of an old "Twilight Zone" episode. Maybe chug a bottle of cough syrup, have a blueberry muffin, and brave the long lines...

I drove by Jordan's in Avon last weekend, and it was only about a 20-minute drive after we were south of the O'Neill Tunnel.

SAT 12/25 (thru ???)

After Dark
Illuminations: Self Tour
around Somerville (Winter Hill, Union Sq, East Somerville)
$5 to $3 to FREE

The trolley tours occurred last Saturday, however the lights should be on for a couple more days. It wouldn't be too hard to drive around at your own pace and enjoy the glowing gaudiness. Any can walk it, of course, depending on how far or long one wants to go.

Update: Did you get your booklet/map yesterday? You probably have to wait until tomorrow or plan a route with the Google map.

There are a couple ways to go:

The "City of Lights" booklet has profiles of many decorators with street addresses in the back. It's sells for $5 at various Somerville & Cambridge stores. It's nice little book on the Illumination tradition. Ad the proceeds go to the Somerville Arts Council, which does a lot of cool stuff throughout the year.

It's possible/probable that some of those listed in that booklet don't still go full-bore, so you can pick up this year's route map for $3 at Blue Cloud (Ball Sq) and Magpie (Davis Sq). Proceeds also go to the Somerville Arts Council, and they should also have the "City of Lights".

Some people rode their bicycles along the route last week, and they made a Google map. It ain't as pretty, but it gives you an idea where to go...

SUN 12/19: Sunday Night Off-Topic Video

If this doesn't get you in the Xmas mood, then...

...that's cool.

It's a *NSFW* and occasionally crude Christmas story from Patton Oswalt that makes me laugh and laugh.

Seriously, it's twisted. Enjoy...

Patton Oswalt - Christmas Shoes - watch more funny videos

SAT 12/18: Xmas Lights of Somerville

Hey, it's not too late to make something for Saturday's pan-holiday gift swap...

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4:30pm to 9:15pm
Annual Illuminations Tour
at Somerville City Hall, 93 Highland Ave, Somerville (Spring Hill)
Tickets: $10 / $5 -- for 12 and under & 60 and over

Tickets are sold at Blue Cloud Gallery (713 Broadway, Ball Sq).

Bus/trolleys depart at:
4:30pm, 5pm, 5:45pm, 6:15pm, 7pm, 7:30pm, 8:15pm, 8:45pm, 9:15pm

Let speak in praise of the my neighbor's excessive Xmas lights.

Last year, the City of Boston decorated their big tree from Nova Scotia with energy-efficient bulbs. Even the Citgo Sign was switched to LED's. They're both still beautiful sights, but neither is as brilliant as before.

It may be a waste of energy, but I think it's okay to conserve throughout the year to splurge on kitcshy holiday fun.

My 2009 ride was 45 minutes of old-timey holiday fun. Tom Champion regaled us with Somerville history and factoids while Jimmy DelPonte led the group in seasonal tunes like "Rudolph...", "Jingle Bells", etc.

So kudos to the citizens who let their power meters spin like a 45 record.

I asked around, and most of the tours were sold out as of Wednesday with a few more tix available for 9:15pm. If you can't get 'em on Friday, you could always show up and hope for stand-by while you have a hot cocoa.

A few hearty souls will meet at City Hall around 6:50pm and do the rather hilly route on bicycles (no charge).

* * * * *

People who want to go around at their own pace can buy a $3 tour map on Saturday night at City Hall or -- starting on MON 12/20 -- at Blue Cloud and Magpie (Davis Sq).

All the proceeds go to the Somerville Arts Council, which does a lot of cool stuff all year round like ArtBeat and wacky summer activities in Union Square.

It was difficult to get clear photos due to the plastic covering that's protecting you from the wind, but...

SAT 12/4: Record-Breaking, Holiday Style

Gaahhh! More Saturday cheapness coming.

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SAT 12/4

Noon
Guinness World Record: Largest Group of Holiday Carolers
at Boylston Plaza, front of Prudential Center, about 800 Boylston St, Boston (Back Bay)
FREE

If you think about it now, you could make it to part of a record-breaking event!

Have you ever thought about writing "Guinness World Record-holder" on a resume???

Members of the Boston Pops, the Tanglewood Festival Chorus, thousands like you (at least 7,515) will try to take the record from South Carolinians.

You don't have to be good -- just sing. They say:

For every person who participates in caroling, the Boston Pops will contribute $1 toward purchasing Holiday Pops tickets for children in underserved communities.

And there will be FREE hot chocolate!

The record attempt will start at 12:30pm sharp, so get there earlier.

Besides, nothing says "Holiday Season" like taking something from another group of people...

Xmas Music Mix 2009

Well... I rushed it and didn't do it as well as I'd like, but you can enjoy the music anyway. I gotta go do some last-minute holiday crap, so the zip file includes the songs and a list with my preferred song sequence.

Enjoy! [YouSendIt or Sendspace]

1) "Santa Claus" - The Sonics
2) "Fairytale of New York" - Yoni Gordon & The Goods
3) "I Wish It Was Christmas Today" - Julian Casablancas
4) "Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want To Fight Tonight)" - Asobi Seksu
5) "Rock and Roll Xmas" - Brett Rosenberg
6) "Little Drummer Boy" - The Dandy Warhols
7) "Christmas In Hollis" - Run DMC
8) "Santa Claus Is Comin" - Jenny Dee & The Deelinquents
9) "Hanukkah, O Hanukkah" - The Yule Logs
10) "Christmas" - Forest Fires
11) "Everything Is One Big Christmas Tree" - The Magnetic Fields
12) "Frosty The Red-Nosed Snowman" - Aqua Teen Hunger Force
13) "Do They Know It's Christmas" - Pete Yorn
14) "Christmas (Pon Da Island)" - Mon Talk
15) "2000 Miles" - Merrie Amsterburg
16) "If You Hear A Knock" - Sean Bones
17) "Last Christmas" - Left Hand Does
18) "Tannenbombs" - Those Transatlantics
19) "Il Est Né" - Tom Tom Club
20) "Jingle Jingle" - Three Day Threshold & Summer Villains
21) "This Holidád (Feed Them Holidád)" - Jason Halogen, Brendan Boogie and the Holidád All-Stars
22) "Miss Christmas" - Zach Curd & Annie Moss

Thanks to the places where I picked up the songs (and I did pay or donate where requested), in no particular order: Boston Band Crush, Yoni Gordon, Brett Rosenberg, Three Day Threshold & Summer Villains, Street Kiss, For the 'records', The Indie Music Database, silence is a rhythm too, and The Days of Lore.

Thru 12/27: "Tru Grace: Holiday Memoirs"

Believe it or not, I get a little "bah-humbug" around this time of the year. As a recovering Catholic schoolboy, I opt for the cafeteria approach to the holidays:

Breathe in the pine scent (tree, wreath, etc), admire colorful light displays, enjoy the seasonal sweets, have a few cups of egg nog...

Be friendlier to people, be more charitable, spend time with loved ones, give some presents (from local and independent sources)...

Of course, there must be feats of strength and airing of grievances; but most of the other stuff doesn't really mean much to me.

I'm not at "war against Christmas". The music can put me in a happy mood (more Ramones, less Killers). I usually watch some of holiday movies too.

I know some people like to see song and/or dance performances. Maybe this program will become an annual tradition. These are the kind of stories that could warm my curmudgeonly heart.

(There's also shows like "The Slutcracker" to warm other parts of your body...)

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FRI 12/11 thru SUN 12/27 (Schedule Below)

Various Times
"Tru Grace: Holiday Memoirs"
at Central Square Theater, 450 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10 * with Discount Code (see below) *

The ostensibly misspelled title is derived from the two authors' names that the plays are based upon: Truman Capote's "A Christmas Memory" and Grace Paley's "The Loudest Voice".

I was not familiar with "The Loudest Voice" before this production, but the setting of a Jewish school putting on a nativity play has plenty of potential.

I remember reading "A Christmas Memory" in school and loving it. What I've admired about Capote's writing has been his beautiful style that imparts the characters' humanity. This is a beautiful story of the author as a little boy and his bond with a special cousin. I often squeeze someone's hand three times whether or not they have read "Christmas Memory".

Someone wrote a good, detailed review; but I have a few more thoughts: I like that they have preserved much of the original stories in the manner they've been adapted.

I also like that both plays take place during the '30s as it magnifies the message that we can find joy and be thankful even with meager resources. You also find that good theater doesn't need a gigantic production. This is not overly sentimental pap either, and people will leave in a better mood.

I'm honored to present a really big discount for the show. One of the marketing people over there is one of my 'virtual' friends, so this is the code to purchase $10 tickets to any of the remaining performances:
General admission is $35, so this is a really good deal!

I'd bet that most people don't even know there's a brand-spanking-new theatre in Central Square. Walk down a few doors from the Middle East, and you'll see it way before you hit the fire station.

Showtimes:

FRI 12/11, 12/18

8pm

SAT 12/12, 12/19, 12/26

2pm and 8pm

SUN 12/13, 12/20

2pm

SUN 12/27

2pm and 7pm

WED 12/23

7:30pm

Happy ChristmaChanuKwaanzakah!

Xmas Music Mix 2008

I enjoy making mix CD's (and I think all of this would fit onto a CD), so here's a holiday music compilation. Some of my favorites of the season... Some new ones...

I also made a quick CD cover, if you want to make a gift for someone -- or whatever. (It's a photo I took at my office.) The songs and cover are in a zip file with mp3's [RapidShare or MegaUpload].

Links below go to blogs where you can find each of the songs. Some songs are in the same post.

1 - "Fairytale of New York" -- The Pogues
2 - "This Time Of Year" -- Mighty Mighty Bosstones
3 - "The Christmas Song" -- The Raveonettes
4 - "Chiron Beta Prime" -- Jonathan Coulton
5 - "Christmas Vacation" -- Descendents
6 - "This Christmastime" -- Gramercy Arms & Mascott
7 - "Everything's Gonna Be Cool This Christmas" -- Eels
8 - "Feliz Navidad" -- El Vez
9 - "The Chanukah Song" -- Adam Sandler
10- "Winter Wonderland" -- Liz Phair
11- "Christmas in Prison" -- John Prine
12- "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" -- Chris Isaak
13- "Just Like Christmas" -- Low
14- "A Christmas Duel" -- The Hives & Cyndi Lauper
15- "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" -- U2
16- "Santa Looked a Lot Like Daddy" -- Reverend Horton Heat
17- "Little Drummer Boy Medley" -- Jimi Hendrix / Band Of Gypsys
18- "Christmas Wrapping" -- The Waitresses
19- "Here It Is Christmas" -- Old 97's
20- "Din Don" -- Denise
21- "Santa God" -- Pearl Jam
22- "Santa Claus Got Stuck In My Chimney" -- Ella Fitzgerald
23- "Sleigh Bells and Wine" -- Jason Gleason
24- "Xmasploitation (Santa's Baddass Revenge)" -- mojochronic
25- "Father Christmas" -- The Figgs
26- "Christmas Time is Here" -- Vince Guaraldi Trio

Happy Holidays!