Time of the Season 

Page 3 of 3

Dmitri Matheny Group

Flugelhornist Dmirti Matheny plays the sounds of the season with Clairdee on vocals and a jazz ensemble accompanying. Includes a farm-to-table dinner with wine. Dec. 2 at 3:30 pm. Longmeadow Ranch Winery, 738 Main St., St. Helena. $20. 707.963-4555.

Straight No Chaser

A hilarious take on the holiday season by the male a cappella group Straight No Chaser is sure to put the season in perspective. The YouTube sensation has jumped from the internet to the real world, and has made numerous television appearances in addition to touring. Dec. 2 at 7:30pm. Wells Fargo Center for the Arts, 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa. $39–$49. 707.546.3600.

Dick Dale

Legendary surf guitarist returns to Petaluma, this time with the Pyronauts. Dec. 6 at 8pm. 23 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma. $24–$26. 707.765.2121.

Chris-Mix

It's the seventh annual Chris-Mix, featuring American Idol's Casey Abrams and Def Jam recording artist Ryan Star performing an acoustic set. Fundraiser for Children's Village with the Pat Jordan Band opening. Dec. 6 at 8pm. Wells Fargo Center for the Arts, 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa. $12. 707.546.3600.

Raise the Youth

Benefiting Marin Youth Performers, this third annual Raise the Youth fundraiser will feature performance highlights from this past year's musical theater productions and advanced teen musical ensembles. Dec. 7 at 7pm. $15–$60. 142 Throckmorton Theater, 142 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley. 415.383.9600.

Remarkable & Refined

World-renowned pianist Anton Nel is lauded for his delicate touch and virtoustic finesse. Dec. 7 at 7:30pm. Newman Auditorium, SRJC, 1501 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa. 415.392.4400.

Craicmore Celtic Yuletide Celebration

Joyful and heartfelt seasonal songs like "I Saw Three Ships," "The Wassail Song" and "Sleigh Ride," along with traditional Scottish and Irish music, trace the roots of some of America's Christmas traditions to their Celtic origins. Dec. 8 at 8pm. $10–$22. Dance Palace, 503 B St., Point Reyes Station. 707.663.1075.

'Amahl & the Night Visitors'

Gian Carlo Menotti's beloved operetta about a poor boy and his mother's magical encounter with the three traveling wise men comes to life. Dec. 8–9. Saturday at 8pm; Sunday at 3pm. Glaser Center, 547 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa. $10–$15. 707.874.1124.

Posada Mexicana

This celebration features 30 folkórico dancers and 10 mariachis Ballet Folklórico Costa de Oro in a "south-of-the-border" celebration laden with seasonal accents, including a traditional Christmas processional (posada), Mexican holiday songs (villancicos) and many more acts. Dec. 9 at 2:30pm. Napa Valley Opera House, 1030 Main St., Napa. $20–$30. 707.226.7372.

Dave Koz

Jam on fresh lively seasonal favorites with smooth-jazz saxophonist extraordinaire and his magical combination of musicians, including David Benoit, Sheila E, Javier Colon and Margo Ray. Dec. 14 at 8pm. Wells Fargo Center, 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa. $39–$69. 707.546.3600.

The English Beat

Nothing says "holidays" like second-wave ska, and nothing says second-wave ska quite like the English Beat. Dec. 15 at 8:30pm. 23 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma. $31. 707.765.2121.

Snoop Dogg

No one says "merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah, happy Kwanzaa and a blazin' New Year" quite like Snoop Dogg. Or is that Snoop Lion? Either way, a chance to see Snoop, who is rumored to be related to Peanuts character Snoopy (they're both dogs, after all), is good any time of year. Dec. 15 at 9pm. $70. Phoenix Theatre, 501 Washington St., Petaluma. 707.762.3565.

Dwight Yoakam

His new album features collaborations with Beck and Kid Rock. But will he sing "Feliz Navidad"? Find out on Dec. 15 at 8pm. Wells Fargo Center for the Arts, 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa. $50–$90. 707.546.3600.

SingersMarin

Join Jan Pedersen Schiff and the seven youth and adult choral ensembles of SingersMarin for a performance of 'Tis the Season: A Winter Fantasy. Caroling kids lead the audience in a sing-along throughout the show for a magical holiday concert. Featured guest artist this year is Golden Gate Brass. Dec. 16 at 4pm. Marin Center, 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. $20–$30; students and children are half-price. 415.499.6800.

Eileen Ivers: An Irish Christmas

"The future of Irish fiddle" and "the Jimi Hendrix of the violin." She plays contemporary music with the Santa Rosa Symphony under the baton of Michael Berkowitz. Dec. 16 at 3pm. 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa. $37–$80. 707.546.3600.

A Chanticleer Christmas

Spiritual sounds of the season sung by the male chorus known around the world as "the orchestra of voices." Dec. 16 at 4pm and 6:30pm. St. Vincent Church, 35 Liberty St., Petaluma. $35–$65. 415.252.8589.

click to enlarge

• CUTTIN' IT DOWN Chris Isaak serenades the Uptown Theatre on Dec. 16.

Chris Isaak

Bay Area native Chris Isaak's voice was made for Christmas carols, and it's a probable 12-to-7 they'll be in abundant supply for this concert. Dec. 16 at 8pm. Uptown Theatre, 1350 Main St., Napa. $75–$90. 707.259.0123.

Willie K

Hawaiian guitarist, singer and storyteller brings his Christmas show to the Opera House. Hawaiian food will be served in the Cafe Theatre before the show. Dec. 19 at 8pm. Napa Valley Opera House, 1030 Main St., Napa. $20–$30. 707.226.7372.

Windham Hill Winter Solstice

An annual holiday tradition, Windham Hill's Winter Solstice presents some of the label's most celebrated New Age and pop recording artists. Dec. 20 at 8pm. Napa Valley Opera House, 1030 Main St., Napa. $12–$20. 707.226.7372.

Narada Michael Walden

Grammy award-winning producer, drummer, performer and hit songwriter Narada Michael Walden is the real Santa Claus, and he'll look the part in this "annual holiday jam beach party freak out" benefit for his music education foundation. Dec. 21 at 8pm. $75. 142 Throckmorton Theater, 142 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley. 415.383.9600.

click to enlarge

• CALLIN' OUT Bootsy Collins summons the spirit at the Uptown Theatre on Dec. 21

Bootsy Collins & the Funk Unity Band

The Parliament-Funkadelic bassist brings peace, love and funky grooves to the world. No doubt the holiday spirit runs deep in this man's veins—he released a Christmas album in 2006, called Christmas is 4 Ever. Dec. 21 at 7pm. Uptown Theatre, 1350 Main St., Napa. $45–$55. 707.259.0123.

The Christmas Jug Band

They've been called the "kings of folk-skiffle-swing holiday hijinks," and the Christmas Jug Band is just that. Their jugabilly mystique is intriguing, and it sucks in even the most skeptical ears. Dec. 21–22. Friday at 8pm ($17–$24); Saturday at 9pm ($24). Sweetwater Music Hall, 19 Corte Madera Ave., Mill Valley. 415.388.3850.

Sing-Along Messiah

Sing along with a hundred voices and a full orchestra to Handel's Messiah while benefiting the music-education programs of the Santa Rosa Symphony in this 32nd installment of a Redwood Empire holiday tradition, conducted, as ever, by Dan Earl. Dec. 22 at 7:30pm. Spreckels Performing Arts Center, 5409 Snyder Lane, Rohnert Park. $20–$25. 707.522.8786.

Nostalgia fest 2012

Victims Family, Punch the Clown, Coffee & Donuts, the Louies, Edaline, Headboard, Jr. Anti-Sex League, Seven Year Winter—remember these bands? What a holiday treat that they'd all reunite for one special night. It's a Christmas miracle! Dec. 22 at 5pm. $10–$25. Phoenix Theatre, 501 Washington St., Petaluma. 707.762.3565.