Even if you’ve fa’d your last la, it would be a travesty not to indulge in some type of musical holiday cheer.
Atlanta is a magnet for artists hitting the road for the season, and this year’s crop spans Broadway, rock operas, smooth jazz, country and some straight-ahead pop.
Here are some highlights of the holiday season. And we can almost guarantee you won’t hear any Chipmunks singing or dogs barking out “Jingle Bells.”
Tickets to all shows can be purchased at the venue box office, Ticketmaster outlets, by calling 1-800-745-3000 or at www.ticketmaster.com.
Dave Koz and Friends
8 p.m. Nov. 25. $35-$76. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta.
The smooth jazz heartthrob returned to Atlanta last year for the first time since 2007 and apparently it went so well, he’s bringing back pals Rick Braun, Jonathan Butler and Candy Dulfer for another round. Koz typically likes to mix about 60 percent Christmas songs with non-holiday hits from the gang and promises that the show is ideal for families.
Neil Berg’s Broadway Holiday
7 p.m. Nov. 27. $37.50-$53. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta.
If you’re known for singing along to “Defying Gravity” or “All That Jazz” while cruising I-85, hoping that no one notices your fervent crooning, this might be your ideal show. This trip through Broadway history – direct from The Great White Way – will scan the musical troves of Kander & Ebb, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Stephen Sondheim, Cole Porter and more. Oh, yes, and holiday tunes are included.
The Story Tour with Steven Curtis Chapman, Newsboys, Francesca Battistelli, Natalie Grant, Selah, Anthem Lights, Max Lucado and Randy Frazee
7 p.m. Dec. 8. $35-$74. Philips Arena. 1 Philips Drive, Atlanta.
As a reminder that Christmas is supposed to be a religious celebration and not necessarily about who received the ugliest sweater as a gift, “The Story” tour takes attendees on a musical journey from the books of Genesis to Revelation. Atlanta-based Christian artist Francesca Battistelli stars, along with Steven Curtis Chapman, the Newsboys and others.
Star 94's Jingle Jam with Daughtry, The Script, Big Time Rush, Matt Nathanson and Parachute
7 p.m. Dec. 13. $27-$57. Gwinnett Arena, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth.
While it might not be as buzz-worthy a lineup as years past (remember the Justin Bieber and Maroon 5 shindigs?), there shouldn’t be any complaints about a headliner with a string of hits (“It’s Not Over,” “What About Now” to name a couple from Daughtry) and a secondary band that has proven to be Ireland’s most radio-friendly export since U2 (that would be The Script).
Jim Brickman’s Christmas Celebration
8 p.m. Dec. 17. $35-$75. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta.
The affable piano man/ace collaborator is embarking on a five-week tour featuring Anne Cochran, Ben Utecht and Tracy Silverman. Utecht can also be heard on Brickman’s recently released “All is Calm,” a collection of Christmas hymns which just hit No. 2 on Billboard’s New Age chart.
Sean Hannity’s Holiday Concert Salute To the Troops with Michael W. Smith, Oliver North and Five for Fighting
7 p.m. Dec. 18. $44-$150. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta.
The Fox News Channel personality enlisted his singing and writing buddies to hit a handful of cities and pay tribute to the men and women of the Armed Forces. Smith just released his 17th album, the all-instrumental “Glory,” while Five for Fighting’s John Ondrasik has been a public supporter of the troops for years, often partnering with the USO. A portion of proceeds from the show will benefit the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund, part of the foundation founded by North that provides scholarships to children of service members killed or permanently disabled in action.
Atlanta’s Holiday Hootenanny
7:30 p.m. Dec. 18. $20. Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave. N.E., Atlanta.
This is the first gathering of acts such as Wet Willie and Cowboy, members of the Derek Trucks Band, Col. Bruce Hampton, Blackberry Smoke and others, but organizers are hoping to make it an annual event. Three different sets will feature combinations of artists, culminating in what is expected to be a spirited jam. Attendees are asked to bring two cans of food for the Atlanta Community Food Bank.
12 Days of Christmas with Amy Grant and Vince Gill
7:30 p.m. Dec. 19. $25-$175. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. $25-$175.
This is the sixth time the husband and wife team are hitting the road for the holidays, and if you’ve never experienced their heartwarming renditions of Christmas standards (and some newer tunes), well, why not? Considering both Gill and Grant each have three Christmas albums in their repertoire (four for Grant if you count her 2008 compilation, “The Christmas Collection”), there is no shortage of seasonal singalongs and introspective ballads.
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