Photograph by Kevin A. Roberts
The River Kittens.
Christmas in Space | December 22
Every year—at least for the past four years—The Ready Room's thrown a Christmas party featuring a locally made film as the centerpiece. That's happening again this year, with a screening of 2016: A Space Odyssey, starring Ben Nordstrom as HAL 9000 and featuring a cameo by Mars One finalist Maggie Duckworth. The screening starts at 8 p.m., and is followed by stargazing with the St. Louis Astronomical Society at 9 p.m. The attire? As silver, spacey, and UFO B-movie as possible. Free or $5 donation to participate in Secret Santa exchange. 8 p.m. The Ready Room, 4195 Manchester, thereadyroom.com.
Muletide Kitten Carols: A Holiday Celebration Featuring Grass Fed Mule & River Kittens at The Stage at KDHX | December 23
St. Louis band Grass Fed Mule takes its inspiration from a fellow local musician: Miles Davis. But as the moniker suggests, the group plays bluegrass and indie folk, inspired by (and flavored with) jazz and old-timey music. Though Grass Fed Mule has only been around for a year, the band has already opened for such veterans as Yonder Mountain String Band. The other half of the ticket features The River Kittens, whom music writer Thomas Crone profiled earlier this year, writing of their bewitching three-part harmonies and unique brand of roots music. $15 includes a CD. 9 p.m. The Stage at KDHX, 3524 Washington, kdhx.org.
Kim Massie: A Motown Christmas | December 23
Massie launched her career at Beale on Broadway, where she still performs regularly. Though there's no list of whom she'll cover for this special concert (the Facebook invite just promises she's "dusting off the ole songbook"), Massie could sing binary code and it would be gorgeous and powerful. But with Motown in the offing, it'll be a truly powerhouse way to ring in Christmas Eve-Eve. Stick around till 10 p.m., and you can catch blues wunderkind Marquise Knox, too. $15. 7 & 9 p.m. Beale on Broadway, 701 S. Broadway, bealeonbroadway.com.
Midnight Mass at the Cathedral Basilica | December 25
Christmas Eve Mass can deliver a healthy dose of mystery, wonder, and community connection—something we often need at the close of the year—for both those who are religious and those who are solidly secular the other 364 days on the calendar. The Basilica, with its expansive mosaic ceilings, is the perfect place to contemplate the mysteries of the universe. Free. Midnight–1:30 a.m., Cathedral Basilica, 4431 Lindell, cathedralstl.org.
Christmas Day Jam Session with The Voodoo Blues | December 25
After the shrieking is over, the giant wads of wrapping paper stuffed into Hefty bags, and your cookie-induced dyspepsia tamed with Tums, you might find you have a bit of cabin fever. Maybe it's so bad you'd even go to the grocery store and wander the aisles to get out of the house—though lucky you, you won't have to. Hammerstone's will be open, slinging beers and Bloody Marys, with blues on the menu, too. Free. 4–8 p.m. Hammerstone's, 2028 S. Ninth, hammerstones.net.
And don't miss these other great events happening around the St. Louis area this weekend:
Top 5 Family Events this Weekend
WinterFest at the Gateway Arch
6 Outdoor Skating Rinks to Visit this Winter
St. Louis Symphony: Disney In Concert—Tale as Old As Time
Hannukah Celebration at The Chase Park Plaza
The Nutcracker at Touhill Performing Arts Center
Bach Society Christmas Candlelight Concert
El Monstero at The Pageant
Smino at Old Rock House
50 Years of Blood, Sweat and Cheers—A Tribute to the St. Louis Blues and their Fans at Central Library
Winter Solstice and Ugly Sweater Camp ArtScope
Ugly Sweater Party at Howl at the Moon
