Credit: Courtesy of Minor Mishap

Holiday Extravaganza

Thursday 19, Hotel Vegas & Volstead Lounge

Hotel Vegas and Volstead fill hearts with cheer year-round, and the Yuletide season serves as no exception. Celebrate at the East Sixth staple with Minor Mishap Marching Band’s festive horn line, resident drag ensemble Vixens of Volstead’s Holiday Revue performance, and DJ sets from King Louie and ulovei. After snacking on pop-up bites from Crumpet Bottom and El Borracho Tacos, peruse an ATX Thrift-curated market, say cheese in a photo booth with drunk Santa, or shine bright at Christmas karaoke.   – Genevieve Wood


Elias Haslanger Credit: Photo by Collin Shook

Elias Haslanger and Andre Hayward: Tribute to JJ Johnson

Friday 20, Monks Jazz

JJ Johnson proved the slide trombone did belong in fast-paced, choppy bebop with his buttery dexterity and valve-like trickery. By the tail end of his career, the Charlie Parker-like innovator nodded to Austin’s own trumpeter Kenny Dorham by playing “Blue Bossa” at the Fujitsu-Concord Jazz Festival in Japan in 1991. Fitting, then, for local brass comrades Andre Hayward (trombone) and Elias Haslanger (tenor sax) to return the favor. Two live tapings at 8pm and 10pm will also feature pianist Ross Margitza, bassist Ryan Hagler, and Daniel Dufour on drums. Whisper policy is enforced, but you won’t want to talk.   – Amber Williams


William Beckmann

Friday 20, Paramount Theatre

William Beckmann croons like a man out of time, showcased with his classic country-tuned 2022 breakout Faded Memories. But last year’s Here’s to You. Here’s to Me. proved the South Texan’s suave vocals just as versatile as they are arresting, unloading across more contemporary production without relinquishing his roots. Beckmann’s annual Las Posadas tour mixes it all into a holiday cocktail, an intimate evening of Spanish ballads, Christmas tunes, and originals that celebrate his border upbringing and rising Nashville status. Dallas native Harper O’Neill provides set up behind her soulful, dusky debut Dark Bar Daisy.   – Doug Freeman


Touch of Trey

Friday 20, 3ten ACL Live

Touch of Trey is the most brilliantly efficient tribute act of all time, an answer to the musical question, “What if a cover band engaged the material of both Jerry Garcia and Trey Anastasio, truly blurring the line between the Grateful Dead and Phish, adding in covers from neither act to ensure that fans will get a healthy dose of both jam bands while engaging in non-tribute jam behavior by expanding on classics both new and old?” Austin guitarist Josh Pearson and his band of bros first took flight in 2020 and have only just begun wigging out.   – Joe Gross


Minor Mishap’s Winter Solstice Lantern Parade

Saturday 21, Pease Park

It’s the longest night of the year, so why not tell the night to take a break with copious lights and a 25-piece brass band. Get the kids, bring a non-flame lantern (this is a flame-free event), and gather at the treehouse for a parade of lights and sounds at 6pm. Minor Mishap will offer its usual brand of unusual performance while attendees light the way and maybe make a new friend to celebrate longer days ahead. Parking at Pease is limited so explore transportation alternatives before heading out.   – James Renovitch


The Toasters

Saturday 21, Flamingo Cantina

Caribbean Island in a hurricane of shot bars, Flamingo Cantina remains an oasis of reggae on the straits of Sixth Street. Hosting genre architects from Burning Spear and Lee “Scratch” Perry to the Skatalites, the micro amphitheatre moves ’n’ grooves local idren (Rastafarian for “peer”) since 1991. A decade early, the Toasters picked up the chanka-chanka-chank of Jamaica’s Skatalites and led the third wave of ska out of New York. Turning 70 next year, English band founder Robert Hingley still fronts the skanking septet with a full-brass contingent in slippery, loping, sweaty Studio One tributes for domestic heads.   – Raoul Hernandez


13th Annual Festivus Celebration Texas

Saturday 21, Captain Quack’s

If the word “festivus” raises your heart rate through the mere suggestion of Jerry Stiller screaming about a “FESTIVUS FOR THE REST OF US,” don’t panic. While there will be an airing of grievances, the main feat of strength in Captain Quack’s Festivus celebration will be the strength to hold back your joy from music and celebration with a great crowd. Paul Klemperer & The Festivians (plus special guests) are running the show, filling the air with visions of Latin/jazz/soul sounds aplenty. This year’s event tagline, “Fighting the ennui within,” promises respite from any holiday woes. Forget the stress of gifts and fancy parties. Settle in for treats and tunes at Quack’s. Happy Festivus, one and all.   – Cat McCarrey


Credit: Photo by John Anderson

Norman BA$E

Sunday 22, Empire Control Room

“You only get one shot/ I guess I got nine lives,” Norman BA$E concludes on “Pull Up,” the first track on his 2023 LP 2425. That explains the rapper’s unhurried flow. Born Jahmale Johnson, the MC channels the Nineties greats of his native New York throughout the melodic project, a collab with Bronx producer !YADNUS. Boom bap rhythms and twinkling keys soundtrack BA$E’s gangsta diaries, which unfurl, as a 2024 single signals, in “Slow Motion.” He knows he has your attention. This “BA$E and Friends” gig also features Frederick Boom, SpaceGoonz, Southside Hippie, Sweet Limb, Vintage Jay, and TMC.   – Carys Anderson


Credit: Courtesy of Alexa Torres

Alexa Torres Quartet

Sunday 22, Monks Jazz

The first violinist to graduate from University of North Texas’ Jazz Strings program with a Master of Music in Jazz Performance, Alexa Torres is part of an improvising string tradition that stretches back to Stéphane Grappelli. Joined by partner in crime Mario Wellmann on luminous guitar, Torres released the superb, swinging In Situ this past summer, giving tunes by Wayne Shorter, Benny Golson, and Thelonious Monk her own distinctive spin. Torres – who splits her time between Austin and New York – and Wellmann will be joined for this rare local show by superstar rhythm team Daniel Dufour (drums) and Dr. James Suter (bass).   – Michael Toland


Dale Watson

Wednesday 25, Continental Club

Hardcore honky-tonkist Dale Watson greets the season as he does best: with a twang-filled evening of heartfelt country tunes and unrelenting charisma. Known for tirelessly preserving classic country’s soul, Watson transforms the Continental Club into a yuletide honky-tonk haven each Christmas. Expect rebel outlaw anthems, impassioned ballads, and perhaps a few festive surprises from his extensive catalog. This annual tradition blends holiday warmth with Watson’s larger-than-life stage presence, making it a gift to fans and newcomers alike. With his Lone Star-brewed authenticity, Watson proves why he’s one of Austin’s most treasured icons.   – Tim Stegall


Will Automagic

Thursday 26, Cheer Up Charlies

With only one track on Spotify, a certain shroud of mystery surrounds Will Automagic, but those tapped into the house music milieu recognize the prolific producer’s name. As one half of DJ duo the Carry Nation, the Austin-raised performer frequently spins at New York’s most crucial queer shindigs. His hip-shaking combo of disco and dance has found a home in both basements and fashion houses across the city. Recently, poppers pushers Double Scorpio tapped the heavyweight for a sweaty, bathhouse-inspired mix. Resident pop princess p1nkstar joins, while Henry Chow, Javiii, and Brett Johnson provide extra party-starter padding.   – Genevieve Wood


Uncle Lucius Credit: Photo by Mark Abernathy

Uncle Lucius, Sir Woman

Thursday 26, ACL Live at the Moody Theater

No one quite expected the return of Uncle Lucius after the locals’ 2018 breakup, but the Yellowstone spotlight on their 2012 song “Keep the Wolves Away” allowed Kevin Galloway to re-spark the band behind the kind of attention that their raucous and soulful roots music should have garnered a decade earlier. The sextet’s new material rocks and sways with the familiar looseness of country jams and poignant ballads. Sir Woman gets the party started with a preview of their two planned album releases next year, If It All Works Out and If It Doesn’t.   – Doug Freeman


Aboubacar “Abou” Sylla


Music Notes

by Derek Udensi

Talib Kweli

Friday 20, Empire Garage

Kweli, one-half of renowned Brooklyn rap duo Black Star alongside Yasiin Bey (formerly Mos Def), frequently performed DJ sets in 2022 and 2023 for DAWA’s monthly residency held at permanently shuttered venues Native Hostel and Superstition. He’s on the mic for this show, with local MC and 2024 ACL Fest performer SHXWNFRESH as an opener.

Big Freedia

Friday 20, Mohawk

The “Queen of Bounce” fulfills a date originally scheduled for the end of August as she prepares to release a new gospel album in 2025. New Orleans singer Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph joins Caleb De Casper as a supporting act.

Austin to Africa Benefit

Sunday 22, Sahara Lounge

A staple of the Sahara Lounge – most commonly known for its Africa Night residency on Saturdays – percussionist Aboubacar “Abou” Sylla looks to use this benefit as a means to aid families in his hometown of Bouramayah, Guinea. Acts set to perform include Atash, Sylla with the rest of his Bramaya drum ensemble, and Mafaro Marimba. Organizers suggest a $20 donation upon entry.

Want to see all of our listings broken down by day? Go to austinchronicle.com/calendar and see what’s happening now or in the coming week.

This article appears in December 20 • 2024.

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.

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Carys Anderson moved from Nowhere, DFW to Austin in 2017 to study journalism at the University of Texas. She began writing for The Austin Chronicle in 2021 and joined its full-time staff in 2023, where she covers music and culture.

James graduated from Columbia University in 2000 and moved to Austin a year later. Ever since, he has followed the arts and video game scene in ATX, editing and writing stories for the Chronicle along the way. Over his more than 20 years with the paper he has climbed the "corporate" ladder from lowly intern to managing editor.

Doug Freeman has been writing for the Austin Chronicle since 2007, covering the arts and music scene in the city. He is originally from Virginia and earned his Masters Degree from the University of Texas. He is also co-editor of The Austin Chronicle Music Anthology, published by UT Press.

San Francisco native Raoul Hernandez crossed the border into Texas on July 2, 1992, and began writing about music for the Chronicle that fall, debuting with an album review of Keith Richards’ Main Offender. By virtue of local show previews – first “Recommendeds,” now calendar picks – his writing’s appeared in almost every issue since 1993.

Cat McCarrey is a writer, editor, educator and Dracula enthusiast. A good sandwich will always win her heart. She began writing about the arts regularly for the Chronicle in 2023.

Michael Toland started writing about music in 1988 on the Gulf Coast, moved to Austin in early 1991, and has inflicted bylines upon the corporeal and digital pages of Pop Culture Press, The Big Takeover, Blurt, Amplifier, Austin.citysearch, the Austin American Statesman, Goldmine, Sleazegrinder, Rock & Roll Globe, High Bias, FHT Music Notes, and, since 2011, The Austin Chronicle.

Tim Stegall contributed to The Austin Chronicle 1991-1995, and was a staff writer 1995-1997. He returned as a contributor in 2013. He has also freelanced for publications ranging from Flipside to Alternative Press to Guitar World. He plays punk rock guitar and sings in the Hormones.