Sounds of Blackness: The cast has changed. So, too, have some of the songs. But the spirit and story remain the same in the Grammy-winning Sounds' African-American-oriented "The Night Before Christmas." This will be the 39th annual holiday presentation featuring Rappin' Reindeer, Singin' Sox and Dancin' Chitlins. Santa will be there, too. (8 p.m. Sat. Fitzgerald Theater, St. Paul, $25-$50, etix.com)
Katie McMahon: She came to the Twin Cities from Ireland via a production of "Riverdance." She fell in love with a Twin Cities man, married and stayed. One of the most glorious voices in town, McMahon sings too infrequently in public. She emerges for her annual Celtic Christmas concert, which this year includes 20 Corda Mor Irish Dancers and the Center for Irish Music's Advanced Youth Ensemble. (7:30 p.m. Fri. The O'Shaughnessy, St. Catherine University, St. Paul, $28, oshag.stkate.edu)
Silverteens Christmas: Sort of a class reunion for 7th Street Entry bands of the early-'80s, the annual pre-holiday warmer by fuzzed-out retro-punks the Silverteens will feature the first set in 22 years by music scribe Jim Walsh's old band the Laughing Stock, plus the 99ers and Kelly's Zeros. (8 p.m. Sat., Minneapolis Eagles Club #34, $10.)
The Klituation: Hip-hop DJ extraordinaire Keezy is fittingly ending the year that was 2018 with another of her all-star, all-women dance parties, with guest vocalists including Sarah White, Maria Isa, Lady Midnight and Lexii Alijai and fellow spin masters such as Shannon Blowtorch and Sophia Eris. (9:30 p.m. Sat., First Avenue, $15.)
Benjamin Cartel: Formerly one half of the acclaimed pop/rock duo Kaiser Cartel, the Brooklyn rocker considers Minneapolis home and came here to record part of his new record, "Flickering Light," at Flowers Studio. He's back for his third annual holiday show with some local all-star friends. (11 p.m. Sat., Icehouse, $10-$12.)
Jewbilee 2017: While the gentiles are off doing their own thing on Christmas Eve, the daughters and sons of David get to take over the Entry for a fun-filled night of post-Hanukkah shenanigans, with music this year by Challo, Planet Plookey and Andy Cook and comedians Dan Mogol and Sidney Oxborough. (8 p.m. Sun., 7th Street Entry, $5.)
Run Westy Run: After keeping up appearances since their initial 2013 reunion, the cult-loved, wild-eyed Twin Cities band with many legendary First Ave/Entry shows to its name is returning to the Entry on Christmas Day with a batch of newly recorded tunes to unwrap for the holiday. They're issuing a three-song EP via Bandcamp.com ahead of the show, with brothers Kirk and Kraig Johnson and guitarist Terry Fischer leading the charge through the Stones-y yet acidic new jams, including the freakiest jam "Star Kids Prison Break." The Shiny Lights open. (8 p.m. Mon., 7th Street Entry, 701 1st Av. N., Mpls., $20-$25, eTix.com.)
Curtiss A's Cold Cold Hearts: After his regular stints at the Lennon and Replacements tributes, Curt Almsted is reviving his heartfelt Hank Williams vehicle with an MVP band that includes steel meister Randy Broughten (Gear Daddies), fiddler Dave Boquist (ex-Son Volt) and guitarman Dale Strength. (10 p.m. Tue., Icehouse, $8.)
Rio Nido: Back in the 1970s and early 1980s, Rio Nido entertained at nearly every cool event and hip party in the Twin Cities. Since reuniting in 2015 after a three-decade hiatus, the harmony-loving jazz trio is making the Dakota Jazz Club its regular spot. Prudence Johnson, Tim Sparks and Tom Lieberman still love 1930s and '40s jazz but offer other material, as well. (7 & 9 p.m. Wed. Dakota Jazz Club, Mpls, $25-$35, dakotacooks.com)
Ike Reilly: After raging and rattling through another full-tilt marathon rock show with his band the night before Thanksgiving at First Avenue, the locally beloved Illinois rocker is returning to town on short notice for a rarer solo set. He's promising a little storytelling and some untested songs along with unplugged versions of his provocative rock anthems. Gabriel Douglas of the 4onthefloor opens. (10 p.m. Thu., Icehouse, $25, Icehousempls.com.)
