Where To Hear: Holiday Music

Where To Hear: Holiday Music from Ronnie Spector, Darlene Love and Judy Collins to Handel’s Messiah, The Brandenburg Concertos and the Vienna Boys Choir. Plus, Winter Pops with the Westchester Philharmonic, Holiday Sing Along with the Chappaqua Orchestra and a jazz tribute to Charley Brown from David Benoit.

Where To Hear: Holiday Music

A Darlene Love Christmas: This Rock and Roll Hall of Famer is best known for her signature tune “Christmas, Baby Please Come Home” and other chart-toppers with Phil Spector’s “wall of sound” hit factory: “He’s A Rebel,” “Da Doo Ron Ron,” and “He’s Sure The Boy I’m Gonna Marry.” Love also sang backup for Sam Cooke, Elvis Presley, Dionne Warwick, Cher and Aretha Franklin, and played Danny Glover’s wife in Lethal Weapon. Sun, 11/22: 7pm. (Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 E. Ridge, Ridgefield; www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org)

The Brian Seltzer Orchestra – 12^th Annual Christmas Rocks Tour: Three-time Grammy winner Brian Seltzer and his 18 piece orchestra put their own spin on popular holiday tunes. Plus, Brian and his three-piece band take a set to perform their own rockabilly favorites. Tues, 11/24: 8pm. (Palace Theatre, 61 Atlantic St., Stamford; www.palacestamford.org)

David Benoit’s Christmas Tribute to Charlie Brown: Contemporary jazz piano legend, David Benoit pays tribute to the Peanuts animated television special A Charlie Brown Christmas. The program features the classic music of Vince Guaraldi along with Charlie Brown Christmas originals from David Benoit, who took over the helm as music composer for the new Charlie Brown Christmas TV Specials more than a decade ago. The Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist Jane Monheit, who has collaborated with Michael Buble and John Pizzarelli, joins David this year. Thurs, 12/3: 7pm. (Paramount Hudson Valley, 1008 Brown St., Peekskill; www.paramounthudsonvalley.com)

Local! Holiday Tea Musicales, Caramoor: Take a docent-led tour of the Rosen House decorated for the season, followed by a concert of holiday music in the Rosen House Music Room. An Afternoon Tea of finger sandwiches, scones, holiday treats (hot chocolate for the kids), and a variety of teas, are served in the summer dining room. Thurs-Fri: 12/3-4, Sat, 12/6, Wed-Sat, 12/19-12 & Wed-Thurs, 12/16-17: 1pm. (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah; www.caramoor.org)

Vienna Boys Choir, Tarrytown Music Hall: Founded by Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I in 1498, the Vienna Boys’ Choir is the longest running holiday act in the world ­– by half a millennium. Their program of classical and popular holiday music offers an eclectic repertoire from Carl Orff’s “O Fortuna” to Jose Feliciano’s “Feliz Navidad” and “Oh Happy Day” by the Edwin Hawkins Singers. And “Jingle Bells” – of course. Fri, 12/4: 8pm. (Tarrytown Music Hall, 13 Main St., Tarrytown; www.tarrytownmusichall.org)

Cyndi Lauper & Friends: Home for the Holidays: For the past four years, this concert has played to sold out audiences and welcomed performers like P!nk, Sarah McLachlan, Josh Groban, Jason Mraz, 50 Cent, Natalie Maines, Nelly Furtado, Rosie O’Donnell, Adam Lambert, Norah Jones, Whoopi Goldberg, Susan Sarandon, Lou Reed, Alan Cumming, Wanda Sykes, and many more. Cyndi’s still working out her guest list for this year but you know it’s gonna be good. Sat, 12/5: 8pm. (Beacon Theatre, 2124 Broadway, NYC; www.beacontheatre.com)

New Choral Society, Messiah, Part I: The Christmas portion of Handel’s Messiah has become the traditional season-opener for the New Choral Society. Filled with familiar and uplifting choruses and solos, it is a festive way to begin the holiday season with family and friends. As always, it will conclude with the famous “Hallelujah Chorus.” Fri, 12/4: 8pm, Sun 12/6: 3pm. Hitchcock Presbyterian Church, 6 Greenacres Avenue, Scarsdale; www.newchoralsodciety.com)

Local! Chappaqua Orchestra, Holiday Sing Along: The New Castle Orchestra’s Holiday Sing Along is a longstanding annual event that features traditional holiday favorites for the sing-a-long. The town tree lighting at 4:30pm follows the event. Sat, 12/5: 3:30 pm. Followed by Tree lighting at 4:30pm. (Bell Middle School, 50 Senter St., Chappaqua; www.chappaquaorchestra.com)

Newpoli: A Traditional Italian Christmas – SUNY Smart Arts: In Music di Natale, the traditional Italian Christmas is presented through the folk music of Southern Italy, from shepherd songs of the Apennine Mountains to music from the courts and piazzas of Naples. Two singers and eight instrumentalists bring an Italian Christmas celebration to life using original dialects and traditional instruments. Christmas readings will enhance and complement the music. English translations will be provided. Sat, 12/5: 8pm. (Westchester Community College, Academic Arts Building, 75 Grasslands Rd., Valhalla; www.sunywcc.edu)

A Chanticleer Christmas – Performing Arts Center, Purchase: Twelve guys in tuxes celebrate the season. This orchestra of voices is named for the “clear-singing” rooster in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales and will be celebrating its 37th season with concerts throughout the country and Europe. The voices range from soprano (yes, adult male soprano) to bass, and their vocal interpretation of holiday music, from Renaissance to traditional to contemporary pop has earned them the title of “the world’s leading male chorus” from The New Yorker. Sat, 12/5: 4 & 8pm. (Recital Hall, Performing Arts Center, Purchase College, 735 Anderson Hill Rd., Purchase; www.artscenter.org)

The Irish Rovers Holiday Show – Ridgefield Playhouse: Join The Irish Rovers for a Christmas celebration in honor of their 50 Years of Music! Fans will relive their early hits like “The Unicorn”, “Whisky on a Sunday”, and “Wasn’t That A Party” and well-known holiday favorites like “Christmas in Killarney”, “Oh, Holy Night”, “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” and “Must Be Santa!” Sat, 12/5: 8pm. (Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 E. Ridge, Ridgefield, CT: www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org) 

Taghkanic Chorale: Russian Christmas: Music Director Steven Fox leads The Taghkanic Chorale of Yorktown in a program of chorale works for the holidays from Russian composers such as Stravinsky, Rachmaninoff, Part and others. In addition to his work with the Taghkanic Chorale Mr. Fox also serves as the director of Musica Antiqua in St. Petersburg, Russia. Sat., 12/6: 8pm. (United Methodist Church, 200 Columbus Ave., Valhalla) Sat-Sun, 12/5-g: time and place TBA. (Taghkanic Chorale, 1243 White Hill Rd., Yorktown Heights; www.taghkanicchorale.org)

KLove Christmas Tour: The contemporary Christian radio network KLove and Feed The Children present a night of Christmas favorites and other popular songs from KLove artists Tenth Avenue North, Natalie Grant, Sidewalk Prophets and special guest Danny Gokey from American Idol. Sun, 12/6: 2 & 7pm. (Palace Theatre, 61 Atlantic St., Stamford; www.palacestamford.org) 

Local! The Brandenburg Concerto – Bedford Chamber Concerts: Music Director Dr. Anthony Newman conducts the Bedford Chamber Ensemble in a performance of the complete Brandenburg Concertos. Described by Wynton Marsalis as ”the high priest of Bach” and by Time magazine as “the high priest of the harpsichord, ”Mr. Newman may be America’s foremost Baroque interpreter – and a local treasure. Wed, 12/9: 8pm. (St. Matthews Church, 382 Cantitoe St., Bedford: www.bedfordchamberconcerts.com)

The New York Tenors: The Magic of Christmas: The “singing policeman” Daniel Rodriguez, famed Irish tenor Andy Cooney and Christopher Maccio perform timeless Christmas classics from the days of Irving Berlin to the new millennium. Wed, 12/9: 7:30pm. (Palace Theatre, 61 Atlantic St., Stamford; www.palacestamford.org 

Wizards of Winter: A Trans Siberian Orchestra Experience: The Wizards of Winter, featuring original members of the Tran Siberian Orchestra, perform music from their new album and TSO’s greatest hits such as “Christmas Eve in Sarajevo”, “Mad Russian”, “Christmas in the Air“, Old City Bar”, “Queen of the Winter Night” and music from The Wizards’ rock opera Tales Beneath a Northern Star. Wed, 12/9: 8pm. (Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 E. Ridge, Ridgefield; www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org)

Christmas With The Celts: CWTC’s shows blend ancient Irish and Scottish Christmas Carols with American Christmas favorites, dance, humor and holiday theatrics. Their recent television special, Christmas With The Celts has aired on over ninety PBS stations and associated regional networks. Thurs, 12/10: 7pm. (Paramount Hudson Valley, 1008 Brown St., Peekskill; www.paramounthudsonvalley.com)

Ronnie Spector’s Best Christmas Party Ever! Ronnie Spector and the Ronettes (“Baby I Love You”, “Be My Baby”, “The Best Part of Breaking Up”) were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in March 2007. The Ronettes sang three songs on the classic rock and roll holiday album A Christmas Gift For You from Phil Spector including, “Sleigh Ride”, “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clause” and “Frosty the Snowman”. Thurs, 12/10: 8pm. (Tarrytown Music Hall, 13 main St., Tarrytown; www.tarrytownmusichall.org)

Kenny Rogers: Once again it’s Christmas – County Center: Grammy Award winning country music singer Kenny Rogers (you know the guy singing at the card game on the Geico commercial) takes on Christmas at the Westchester County Center. Fri, 12/11: 8pm. (County Center, 198 Central Ave., White Plains; www.countycenter.biz)

The Brandenburg Concertos – Alice Tully Hall: The Brandenburg Concertos by Johann Sebastian Bach are considered among the finest musical compositions of the Baroque era. The NYTs called The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center’s annual performances at Alice Tully Hall a “New York holiday staple.” If you miss Dr. Anthony Newman’s performance of the Brandenburgs in Bedford – this is where you can get your holiday Bach fix. Fri, 12/11: 7:30pm, Sun, 12/13: 5pm & Tues, 12/15: 7:30pm. (10 Lincoln Center Plaza, NY; www.lincolncenter.org)

Stamford Symphony presents Handel’s Messiah: The Stamford Symphony takes on Parts I & and the Hallelujah Chorus from Part II of Handel’s classic oratorio at The Basilica of St. John The Evangelist in Stamford. “Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill made low, the crooked straight and the rough places plain.” Sat, 12/12: 8pm. (Basilica of St. John The Evangelist, 279 Atlantic St., Stamford; www.palacestamford.org)

Home for the Holidays: Clayton Bryant & Friends: Special guest Melba Moore joins Clayton Bryant in a special holiday show. Mr. Bryant has performed at Radio City Music Hall, Lincoln Center and Madison Square Garden and has recorded with Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, Sting, Queen Latifah, Whitney Houston, Kathleen Battle, Patti Labelle, John Mayer and many more. Sun, 12/13: 7pm. (Paramount Hudson Valley, 1008 Brown St., Peekskill; www.paramounthudsonvalley.com)

Ted Vigil’s Holiday Tribute to John Denver: He looks like John Denver, sounds like John Denver, and he has made a career out of being John Denver on stage. Whoa! His John Denver Christmas show celebrates the holidays with the songs of the Rocky Mountain troubadour, such as “Rocky Mountain High,” “Annie’s Song,” “Sunshine on My Shoulder” as well as some of the holiday season’s best-loved songs. Sat, 12/15: 8pm. (Paramount Hudson Valley, 1008 Brown St., Peekskill; www.paramounthudsonvalley.com)

Tiempo Libre’s Holiday Show: Three-time Grammy-nominee, Timepo Libre takes on the holidays with their Afro-Caribbean beat and jazz harmonies. Thurs, 12/17: 7:30pm. (Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 E. Ridge, Ridgefield; www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org)

Handel’s Messiah – New York Philharmonic, Gary Thor Wedow, conductor, Camilla Tilling, soprano, Iestyn Davies, counter-tenor, Connor Tsui, boy-soprano, Michael Slattery, tenor, James Westman, baritone, and the Westminster Symphonic Choir take on Part I and Part II of the most famous and beloved chorale works of all time. Tues-Thurs, 12/16-18: 7:30pm, Fri, 12/19: 2pm & Sat, 12/20: 7:30pm. (Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center; www.newyorkphilharmonic.com) 

Cherish The Ladies: A Celtic Christmas: Five Irish ladies perform classic Christmas carols in their signature arrangements highlighting Celtic instrumentation with a full band and traditional Irish step dancers. Fri, 12/18: 8pm. (13 Main St., Tarrytown; www.tarrytownmusichall.org)

The Rob Mathes Holiday Concert – Performing Arts Center: “This holiday production puts a new spin on Christmas classics” – The New York Times. Rob Mathes and his band of New York City All-Stars, have been entertaining PAC audiences for over two decades with original tunes, holiday classics, and Mathes favorites. Rob has worked with virtually every big name in the music industry, arranging, producing, directing, recording, and performing with the likes of Bono, Tony Bennett, Sting, and Bruce Springsteen. Fri-Sat, 12/18-19: 8pm.  (PepsiCo Theatre, Performing Arts Center, Purchase College, 735 Anderson Hill Rd., Purchase; www.artscenter.org)

Winter Pops/Rhapsody In Blue: Westchester Philharmonic: Tony Award-winner Ted Sperling conducts vocalist Ashley Brown in an evening of American songbook and holiday classics. Ms. Brown originated the Broadway role of Mary Poppins. 
 Then Sperling conducts the Westchester Philharmonic and Juilliard piano prodigy Joe Mohan in a performance of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. Plus, an after-Party with the stars. Sun, 12/20: 3pm. (Performing Arts Center, Purchase College, 735 Anderson Hill Rd, Purchase; www.westchesterphil.org)

Judy Collins: Holiday & Hits: Her stunning rendition of Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now” was entered into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Her take on Stephen Sondheim’s “Send In the Clowns” was the Grammy Song of the Year in 1975. And remember “From a Distance”? Someday you’re going to be playing Mah Jong in a retirement village in “Boca” with someone from Westchester County – think how you’re going to feel if you have to admit that you never saw Judy Collins at The Tarrytown Music Hall. (Just saying…) Sun, 12/20: 7pm. (13 Main St., Tarrytown; www.tarrytownmusichall.org)

Sons of Serendip Christmas: Lauded for their unique fusion of R&B, gospel and neo-soul with considerable classical expertise, SOS will perform selections from quartet’s newly released recording Christmas: Beyond The Lights. The CD features orchestral and acoustic interpretations of modern and traditional holiday classics, arranged with vocals, cello, harp and piano. Including their original composition “Miss You Most” and holiday favorites “Little Drummer Boy”, “O Come Emmanuel”, “Let it Snow” and “The Christmas Song”. Tues, 12/22: 8pm. (Palace Theatre, 61 Atlantic St., Stamford; www.palacestamford.org) 

Where To Hear: New Year’s Music

New Year’s Eve – Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue: Their 2013 album Say That To Say This hit #1 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz List. They won 7 Offbeat Magazine’s Best of the Beat Awards including Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year for “Fire and Brimstone.” And they played with an All Star Cast saluting Carol King at the 2014 Grammy Awards. Wed-Thurs: 12/30-31: 8pm. (Capitol Theatre, 149 Westchester Ave., Port Chester; www.capitoltheatre.com)

Sponsored! Tramps Like Us – MTK Tavern: Rock in the new year with Bruce Springsteen tribute band, Tramps Like Us, featuring frontman Mark Salore – a Chappaqua resident. Sirius Radio’s E Street Radio called Tramps Like Us the best of all the Springsteen tribute bands. So did Music and Musicians magazine and Mike Appel, a former Springsteen producer and manager. They have appeared on Fox 5’s Good Day NY and at Super Bowl XLIII’s Media Day. Thurs, 12/31: 9pm. (MK Tavern, 30 E. Main St., Mt. Kisco; www.mtktavern.com)

New Year’s Dead – Joe Russo’s Almost Dead: JRAD plays some of the most complex songs from The Grateful Dead’s repertoire with a rawness and energy that is reminiscent of the Dead from the “Live Dead” era. And that can’t be bad. They are so highly regarded that Dead bassist Phil Lesh sat in with them for two shows this past winter. Get it? They’re so good they’re Almost (the) Dead. Fri-Sat, 1/1-2: 8pm. (Capitol Theatre, 149 Westchester Ave., Port Chester; www.capitoltheatre.com)

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