Thurs. Jan. 15Rasputina probably started this whole classical-rock-cello-based fusion back in the '90s. It wasn't a bad idea then or now. Locally, the Cello Chix - cellists Susanna Porte and Becca Thornblade and. well, we understand they're auditioning new drummers to take over from Nancy Delaney - are what you want to hear when you want to hear some of your classic rock tunes done with some elegance, some panache, and some humor. They'll be at the Alchemist Lounge Thursday Jan. 15. They'll do Sunshine of Your Love, Come Together, The Ocean, Light My Fire, Paint It, Black and a whole lot more. New in the repertoire: Led Zep's Kashmir. Now, that's classic rock. These gals, which began in 2002, have solid classical cred, too, so there's always that option, too. Which is to say they might play songs written before Led Zeppelin hatched. Show starts at 10. No cover.435 S. Huntington Ave., 617-477-5741 www.alchemistlounge.com

Thurs. Jan. 8th The biggest band on the Cape - well,they certainly have a lot of players - is back at the Lizard Lounge Thurs. Jan. 8. This wild bunch is known as the Chandler Travis Philharmonic. What gives the CTP its appeal? Says Travis: The Chandler Travis Philharmonic is a band that has grown accustomed to being detained. Their magical mixture of Ray Davies' steadfast provinciality, Charo's gelatinous combustibility and Hopalong Cassidy's swarthy good looks has been drawing the kind of crowd that prefers unpredictability to being set aflame and cast into a pit of angry rodents. Some of this maybe true, some not. Travis continues, The band is concentrating more lately on frolics, rhumbas, and indecipherable mumbling, and that the horn section (the June Trailer Dancers, led as always by maverick saxophonist Mark Chenevert), has been paying a lot more attention to its gardening, despite the nasty weather. The band has just come off the cancellation of a tour to Memphis, in which they almost played in Washington DC, Asheville, NC, and Worcester, MA; as usual, the condition of drummist Rikki Bates is described as stable, with squirrels. Do you need more enticement? Let's just say jazz, pop, lounge music and all kinds of genres get scrambled up in the CTP's hands and the singer can be counted upon to be barefoot and pajama clad. Ready for bed it migh seem, but not really: This is his stage uniform. He's ready to perform. Should get under way around 10 with Kami Lyle. Tickets: $6. For details about this special show, hit read more 1667 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, 617-547-0759 www.lizardloungeclub.com

Thurs. Jan. 22It hasn't exactly been 16 straight years of rock 'n' roll, but the Boston band The In Out first formed in 1992, assembled by singer-guitarist Todd Nudelman. Various players have passed through the portals and the band has been on hiatus a few times, but it's up and running now with the rhythm section of Nick Blakey (bass) and Nick Adkins. (Nick also drummed for The In Out from 1998-2000.) We've heard them as a deliriously cranky, Fall-like outfit, which is to say just off-kilter enough to entice. On their myspace.com page, where you can hear four songs, they file themselves under the Mexican/Rock/Progressive slot. Hmmm. Ask Nudelman today and he describes The In Out's music as post-millenial web surfer minimalism. They're at Great Scott Thursday Jnn. 22 with the Spanish Armada, Contranauts and the Hangman's Alphabet. Doors at 8, tix $8. 1222 Commonwealth Ave., 6717566-9014 www.greatscottboston.com

Thurs. Jan. 8 Don't you love a great genre scramble. P-Funk is one of the best of this ilk and has been for decades, but it's always nice to see newer bands toss a whole pile of ingredients into their stew and pull if off. And with that: We bring you the 11-piece Grammy-nominatd Grupo Fantasma, which - if you want to put a peg on 'em - sounds a lot like early Santana on their new album Sonidos Gold. (Their Grammy nod is for Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album. Huh?) Often, when we write shorthand stuff about a band, we'll say it's led by someone - usually the lead singer, in this case Jose Galeano, who also plays timbales. But this Austin, Texas-based band really is a group effort, propelled very much by the spirited horn section. You'll hear cumbia, funk, hip-hop, salsa and psychedelia. And there's a irreverence here, a carnival atmosphere that we're pretty sure will make itself clear at the Middle East Downstairs Thursday Jan. 8, one of the band's four northeast dates. Todd Lovoie of the San Francisco Bay Guardian calls the live show complete and utter sweat-soaking bliss. Another guy we admire for his work with the wholly irreverent Dead Milkmen back in the '80s, Rodney Anonymous says, You haven't lived until you've seen these guys come out of a Tex-Mex drum solo into Led Zeppelin's 'Moby Dick.' With the Occidental Brothers Dance Band International. Doors at 9, tix $12.472 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, 617-864-3278 www.mideastclub.com

Tues. Jan. 13 If you don't want a wild one/Quit hangin' 'round with me, sings one of the three gals who goes by the surname Darlin. Later, another (the same?) Darlin sings, I'm drivin' nails in my coffin/Every time I drink a bottle of booze/I'm drivin' nails in my coffin/Though I'm drivin' those nails over you. And then there's a song that proclaims proudly, but with some shame, that one of Those Darlins ate a whole damn chicken. Not just the leg/Not just the wing/The whole damn thing! They blame it on the booze. Those Darlins are bassist Kelley Darlin, guitarist Jessi Darlin and Nikki Darlin on, yes, baritone ukulele. You'd probably call 'em an alt-country group, but the Darlins opt for pop/2 step/garage on their myspace page. By picking the same last name, the mini-skirted Darlins, of course, reference the brothers Ramone. A gang. In it together. All equal. As Kelley says, “I think we approach things in a unique way, a very egalitarian way, where there’s not the lead singer and ego and all that.”Or as Nikki puts it, “We perform, the three of us, and we’re straight in a row on the front of the stage. No one’s holding back.” I'd say that punk rock informs their attitude, but this trio from Murfreesboro, Tenn. - which has a drummer of indeterminte gender somewhere in the mix - is a country group in the same way the Knitters is a country group. They're at Toad Tuesday Jan. 13 at 8. It's free. They return to the Paradise March 1, presumably after their album produced in New York by Jeff Curtin comes out. It won't be free.1920 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, 617-497-4950 www.toadcambridge.com

Thursdays in January Guggenheim Grotto - a trio from Ireland, Kevin May, Mike Lynch and newcomer drummer Shane Power - began as what you might call a folk-pop duo. That sound is still at the core of what they do, but on their second disc, Happy the Man - due out Jan. 27 - they explore subtle electronics and sampling techniques as well. They're not Daft Punk or KMFDM, by any means. And they certainly move at a slow-to-mid-tempo pace. But if their debut, ... Waltzing Alone, was noted for its mellowness, this one will be noted for is measured upbeat sound and feel. This despite, well, you know, the sadness all around us. There's a lyrical thread throughout the album, says primary songwriter May, in that many of the songs explore our habit of holding onto things - lovers, a place in time, resisting change - and the sadness that brings us. That hit us is the gut and in the head - 2008 was certainly the kind of year where more than a few of us wanted to hold onto things that were slipping away. But Guggenheim Grotto doesn't wallow in the sadness. They start Happy the Man with a quote from Buddha on perfection, and then move on to detail what isn't. Like dreams dashed. But it's not angry music, it's pretty, softish; there's a gentle uplift that works an effective contrast. We wanted to sing joyfully about sadness in the world, is the way May puts it. With this album, I made a conscious effort of working in ideas, thoughts and musings on self-awareness and enlightenment into the songs. GG has had four US tours and they're in the midst of a residency tour (New York, Philly and Cambridge) that has them at the Lizard Lounge every Thursday in January. They're early (7 p.m.) shows at its only $5. Consider it money well gambled. Reference points: Damien Rice and (from Once ) Glen Hansard. 1667 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge 617-547-9729 www.lizardloungeclub.com

Mon. Jan. 19 One of our favorite programming devices or hooks is the Cooldige Corner Theatre's longrunning series, Science on Screen. Generally speaking, they show a film with science (or science fiction) at its core and bring in an expert to discuss the science, or lack thereof, going on up on screen. Something different is happening in the series Monday Jan. 19 at 7. The movie is Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey. Boston rock fans may be aware of several bands that have employed this ancient, sometimes eerie and unpredictable instrument in their songs. Over the years, the ethereal, otherworldly sounds of the theremin became the backdrop to scores of science fiction and horror films (particularly in the ‘50s), and have inspired numerous musicians, from the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson to synthesizer pioneer Moog. Director Steven Martin's documentary,deftly explores the remarkable story of Theremin the man, and traces the lasting influence of his work. Leon Theremin pioneered the idea of the artist as scientist, Martin said of his film in a Billboard magazine interview. I just want to see the creative journey of a great man come full circle.

ongoing When I first heard about the plot of Slumdog Millionaire - a young poor man goes on India's version of Who Wants to Be a Millioniare? and wins it all - I thought: Look, I didn't like the damn show much when it was on every night all week (or close to it) and what would make me want to revisit a story keyed around the show - Indian, America - whatever? Well, turns out a lot. First hint: It was directed by ace Brit Danny Boyle ( Trainspotting, 28 Days ) and the man is a master of shuffling time frames as well as comedy and drama. (Was there nothing funnier than Trainspotting fishing-the-drugs-out-of-toilet scene and nothing more awful than the results of heroin addiction?) Boyle has those kind of abilities, to pull you into another world (in this case the realm of richness, poverty and crime in India) and mix humor, love, violence and narrative in a way that makes you feel for everyone involved.

Saturdays, Jan. 10 - April 25 A while ago, we were channel surfing late at night and caught one of those condensed Saturday Night Live re-runs. This one featured the skit where four diners were enjoying - mild word - a tasty chocolate treat at a restaurant. As the skit progressed, the diners kept topping each other regarding just how damn delicious it was. It moved from orgasmic to plate-smashing ecstasy and was both a poke at chocoholics and an ode to the love of the dessert. We can relate. If you can, you'll be heartened to know that the One Only Boston Chocolate Tour returns to satisfy New England's collective sweet tooth every Saturday through April 25. You'll hit Top of the Hub, the Omni-Parker House, the Langham - and new this year - Beacon Hill Chocolates. The bus leaves at 11 a.m. and 12:15 (all right, they're two separate buses), with the cost being $80/person.Boylston and S. Charles streets, 617-269-7010. www.historictours.com (http://www.historictours.com/)

Fri. Jan. 9 The Huntington Theatre has major success with a one-day/deep discount sale last year, and the American Repertory Theatre (A.R.T.) is doing so this year, Friday Jan. 9. They will offer $25 tickets during for early performances of each production of the current season. “Given the challenging economic climate, we want to give the opportunity for price conscious patrons to be able to attend the A.R.T. at a lower price. We don want them to miss our exciting upcoming offerings – a world premiere, two classic masterpieces, and a no-holds-barred comedy,” says Ruth Davidson, A.R.T.’s Director of Marketing and Communications. The remaining productions of the Season are Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull, directed by János Szász; Samuel Beckett’s Endgame, directed by Marcus Stern; the world premiere of Trojan Barbie by Christine Evans, directed by Carmel O’Reilly; and David Mamet’s Romance, directed by Scott Zigler. Hit the read more button for details on the plays and which shows are available on the cheap.

Tues. Jan. 6 Hallie Ephron went to a yard sale. Actually, the Milton mystery writer goes to more than a few yard sales. One day she went to a home her daughter used to go and play … and she had a thought: “What if this woman gets invited in and never comes out?” Sounds like the start of a Stephen King tale, doesn’t it. The normal … suddenly not normal. That was the kernal of “Never Tell a Lie,” the first novel Ephron has written without longtime collaborator Donald Davidoff. (They wrote a series about a forensic psychologist as G.H. Ephron.) That’s what kicks off the new book, as the pregnant Ivy and her husband David, decide to get rid of the junk that’s been accumulating around the house, junk that was in the attic before they even moved in. Mmmm. And then there’s Melinda – a pretty girl they went to high school with (when she was not pretty and shunned). She shows up and they don’t recognize her at first. But she’s the one who David allows to go in the house in suburban Brush Hills. And she’s the one who becomes the center of a murder investigation that centers, increasingly, on David. The clues, you see, all point that way?“It’s a suburban middle class couple,” Ephron says, in a recent chat. “They have, on the surface, the American Dream, the completely innocuous, content life. … I call it a psychological suspence novel. It’s not reaaly a ‘thrilller.’ People spies and bombs and politics.” Ephron has a series of readings in and around Boston this month, the first Tuesday Jan 6 at 5:30 at Redbones with Kate’s Mystery Store. Asking Ephron to explain what the book involves could mean revealing ey plot details – trust me, these are juicy details – and things Ephron wants to avoid so that she doesn’t spoil her own story. She will say Brush Hills is really Milton, and the house the story is mostly set in exists. Ephron and her husband and looked at it to buy back in 1975. They underbid at $45,000. A lot of other stuff factors in from Ephron’s real life: there’s a wicker basket that figures prominently, a bowling alley. But the key thing Ephron’s addressing is how much a role does your past play in your present?

not Sun. Jan. 4 Well, damn. Just got word from the band's publicist: A member of the Damned contracted a severe illness during the group's recent UK tour, and they're being forced to scrap the East Coast leg of the tour which was to start in Boston Jan. 4. They will make it up, and we'll repost at JSInk. As for now, if you care to read about them anyway - and, really, kids, this is a fun read ... She wouldn't say who took ill, but it is not the subject of our interview, Captain Sensible, who is in New York.The Damned, forever led by singer Dave Vanian and guitarist Captain Sensible, were the first English punk band to make it to record: In 1976 they released the double-A side “Neat Neat Neat” / “New Rose.” A volatile group – they used to scam opening gigs at shows by telling promoters they played folk, or heavy rock, anything but punk – they’ve gone through numerous players over the years. Styles, too: Goth, Pyschedelic, garage rock, even pseudo-cabaret. They return to Boston to play the Paradise Sunday Jan. 4 and we talked to Captain Sensible for a Boston Phoenix Back Talk story that will go up on line New Year’s Eve. Please go to www.thephoenix.com (http://www.thephoenix.com/) for the best of Sensible at that point. But also there was a lot to our talk that couldn’t fit the Phoenix space so JSInk thought we'd give you the out-takes. Sensible, 54, is talking about the evolution of the band and their current album, “So, Who’s Paranoid?,” their first CD in seven years. “It’s more garage-punk than punk rock,” he says. “It’s more ‘Nuggets’ and Seeds and Electric Prunes all the bands we like. The Byrds even, there’s a bit of 12-string on there. And we can sing harmonies these days. Mr. Vanian and myself agree that this is our favorite form of music and we still listen to it all the time. When we were in Los Angeles six weeks ago, we jammed with the Seeds [singer] Sky Saxon. The guy is as psychedelic as anything I’ve ever experienced before! Just talking to him backstage was one of the most bizarre experiences. He talks in ‘60s gobbledygook, but he has such charisma and such a pleasure to meet him; we did a ten-minute ‘Pushin’ Too Hard’ [on stage].”I’d talked to Sensible several times over the years. Once, at the Channel, after

Wed. Dec. 31 We've got on a bit in this space about the burlesque revival that's taken hold in these parts, and we reckon we'll continue to give a shout-out to the the scene. The hot South End restaurant/club the Beehive, is calling its New Year's Eve party The End is Near. There's a pun in this. See, it's featuring Pinchbottom Burlesque. What, you say, is Pinchbottom Burlesque? The trusty Beehive spokesman JP Faeilla tells us it is where burlesque meets theater, buys it a drink, and takes it to bed. 'Pinchbottom Burlesque' is both the name of a production company that produces themed scripted burlesque shows in New York City, and the title under which its two creators -- Nasty Canasta (in photo) and Jonny Porkpie -- perform as a duet. Each show has a theme, so you can pretty much guess what this'll be from the title. Also on the bill: soul music from Reality, with the triple-threat singers Shea Rose, Tania Jones and Nadine Ford. Throughout the night, there will be passed plates of gypsy fare and desserts and as for champagne, the 'hive says its got 60 kinds ready to pop. Admission: $95/person which includes the food or $75 which doesn't. Cash bar. Starts at 9 and runs through to 2:30. JSInk recommendation: As always on New Year's Eve. Take a cab. 541 Tremont St, 617-423-0069 www.beehiveboston.com

Sun. Dec. 28 - Mon. Dec. 29 The bad news: Tickets for the Mighty Mighty Bosstones “Hometown Throwdown” – the revival of a revered Boston Xmas-time tradition – is sold out. Four shows. Gone. The “good” news? Well, you can hope that you can make a friend outside the Middle East Downstairs between Christmas and New Years's and they've secured an extra ticket somehow and well ... At any rate, enjoy this bit, which we wrote last year, when the Bosstones came back to life ... We believe the particulars are still pertinent. Dicky Barrett is on his cell phone from Atlanta. He, Jimmy Kimmel and one of Kimmel’s cousins have flown into the city for a Falcons game and “Monday Night Football” broadcast. (Kimmel is to do a spot in the booth on air.) Suddenly, there’s chatter in the background. It’s Kimmel. Barrett – the announcer on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” - tells him to be quiet; he’s doing an interview. “I thought it was 2007,” replies Kimmel. It’s funny – and Barrett laughs - but, you know, ouch. The implication: Generally, the announcer on a late-night talk show is not interview material, and didn’t that guy, Barrett, leave his post as singer for the Mighty Mighty Bosstones five years ago? This, after the band had played Lollapalooza and umpteen Warped Tours, had a big radio hit (“The Impression That I Get”), won MTV and Boston Music Awards, and cultivated a Phish-like fan base that supported the roving eight-piece ska-punk band everywhere it went. Hadn’t Barrett stepped down from the rock and settled into a quasi-post-fame existence?

ongoing If you, by some chance, were born old and “aged’ backwards to birth, you might consider this a highly unusual occurrence and have it investigated by the greatest minds of the day – whichever day you happened to live in. If you’re Benjamin Button (Brad Pitt) in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” you realize you’re an odd duck – one of a kind - but you go about your life without asking the big questions or getting freaked by the process. It is normal to you. (I once asked ex-Monkee Peter Tork what it was like to be seen as an ex-Monkee your entire life and he answered, quite reasonably, “Compared to what?”) So, if you accept that premise – and I did as the movie gently unfolded – you’ll be able to slip into this epic story and apply that old “suspension of disbelief” theory.There are many charms to this movie, based loosely on an F. Scott Fitzgerald short story and directed by David Fincher. One is how Fincher – “Seven,” “Zodiac” - employs state-of-the-art special effects and makes Pitt’s Button completely credible, as a bent-over “old” man down to a “teenager.” (Much credit to the actor, too, of course. Yes, he should get an Oscar nomination.) Another is that you don’t keep thinking, “God, how did he do that?” Rather, you get absorbed in the story – Button’s birth, abandonment, salvation in an old folks home in New Orleans and then his life (war, love, travel). You relate to this affable Southern gentleman and fully enjoy his early relationship

Tues. Dec. 23 T.T. the Bear's hosts it's 10th Annual Holiday Party Tuesday Dec. 23. Normally, this is a freebie and thank you to the rock community and a celebration of the season with scads of local bands that play T.T.'s giving it up to honor the small, but vital piece of the rock scene. This year a $3 cover will be charged. Can you spare it? (Actually, can you add more to it?) This year, the party - which doubles as booker Randi Millman's birthday bash - is raising money for the Jeanne Connelly Fund, a fund set up to aid T.T.'s beloved bartender, who's entering her second year battling cancer. Personal note: We love Jeanne hear at JSInk; we'd be at the show if we weren't in Maine attending to family business.Every year, local performers drop by to do 15 minute sets. It's a mixture of acoustic and electric, full band and solo, holiday tunes and originals. Says Millman: The party has become the official sendoff before the Christmas break...customers and musicians alike come to raise a glass (or two or three) of holiday cheer, munch on some holiday treats and steel themselves before the captivity of family visits. Doors are at 8 p.m/ and it's 18+.8:30-8:45 Eric Doberman, 8:50-9:05 Jonny Pape, 9:10-9:25 Tom Baker of Dirty Truckers Jim Buni of Buttercup, 9:30-9:45 Corin Ashley Dave Aaronoff. 9:50-10:05 Jenny Dee The Deelinquents (features Jen Rassler of Downbeat 5, Ed Valauskas of The Gentlemen/Gravel Pit, Tony Goddess, Phil Aiken, Eric Anderson of Electric City, Beka Dangora, Aimee Weekly, 10:10-10:25 Francine, 10:30-10:45 AdFrank, 10:50-11:05, Wide Iris, 11:10-11:25, The Luxury. 11:30 Township.10 Brookline St., Cambridge, 617-492-0082 www.ttthebears.com

Sun. Jan. 4 The Damned, forever led by singer Dave Vanian and guitarist Captain Sensible, were the first English punk band to make it to record: In 1976 they released the double-A side “Neat Neat Neat” / “New Rose.” A volatile group – they used to scam opening gigs at shows by telling promoters they played folk, or heavy rock, anything but punk – they’ve gone through numerous players over the years. Styles, too: Goth, Pyschedelic, garage rock, even pseudo-cabaret. They return to Boston to play the Paradise Sunday Jan. 4 and we talked to Captain Sensible for a Boston Phoenix Back Talk story that will go up on line New Year’s Eve. Please go to www.thephoenix.com (http://www.thephoenix.com/) for the best of Sensible at that point. But also there was a lot to our talk that couldn’t fit the Phoenix space so JSInk thought we'd give you the out-takes. Sensible, 54, is talking about the evolution of the band and their current album, “So, Who’s Paranoid?,” their first CD in seven years. “It’s more garage-punk than punk rock,” he says. “It’s more ‘Nuggets’ and Seeds and Electric Prunes all the bands we like. The Byrds even, there’s a bit of 12-string on there. And we can sing harmonies these days. Mr. Vanian and myself agree that this is our favorite form of music and we still listen to it all the time. When we were in Los Angeles six weeks ago, we jammed with the Seeds [singer] Sky Saxon. The guy is as psychedelic as anything I’ve ever experienced before! Just talking to him backstage was one of the most bizarre experiences. He talks in ‘60s gobbledygook, but he has such charisma and such a pleasure to meet him; we did a ten-minute ‘Pushin’ Too Hard’ [on stage].”I’d talked to Sensible several times over the years. Once, at the Channel, after

Sat. Dec. 27 Singer-guitarist Sean Altman sometimes goes by an alter-ego, Jewmongous, and writes humorous pop songs, most of them based on his experiences as a member of the Tribe - caustic, venomous or nasty things that make some people think, “Oh my gosh, is he kidding?” Yes and no. Altman, who says “at any given moment I have five musical rojects going on,” is usually busy in December. Something to do with Chanukah and Christmas. He’s at Club Passim Saturday Dec. 27, promoting the first album, “Taller Than Jesus” and playing songs like “They Tried To Kill Us (We Survived, Let’s Eat),” “Jews for Jesus,” “My Pact With Satan” and “Christian Baby Blood.”Let’s deal with the album title first. It is obviously a play on John Lennon’s flip comment in 1966 about the Beatles being more popular than Jesus. The Beatles were one of Altman’s favorite groups and he – he’s quite sure – taller than Jesus. The singer-guitarist stands 6’3” and notes that most Jewish men of the time were no taller than 5’6”. Now, the songs … like “Christian Baby Blood.” “It’s meant to dispel the myth of blood libel,” says Altman. “ To some people merely the mention of it, is the equivalent of making a joke and using the word Hitler. But I’d like to think most people think the way that I do -that these subjects that have been taboo, should be made fun of.” He notes that by calling his act Jewmongous, “No one’s going to show up thinking it’s a reverent Jewish act.”

Sat. Jan. 24 Ok, there's not the amazing, wonderful shock of Oh my god! Mission of Burma is playing live again! That was the story back in 2002 the improbable reunion when the original trio, guitarist Roger Miller, bassist Clint Conley and drummer Peter Prescott (plus Shellac's Bob Weston filling Martin Swope's slot on looping the sound in concert). Mission of Burma has found a reason to exist - at least on a semi-permanent basis - and they've got a date at the Somerville Theatre Saturday Jan. 24 at 7 p.m. It's with the Neighborhoods - old cohorts from the late '70s punk rock days. And it's a benefit for the new Centewr for the Arts at the Armory. Tickets are $26. (There's an opening act TBA.Mission of Burma had two full-length studio LPs on Ace of Hearts Records and they have been remastered by original producer Rick Harte and re-isuued (with bonus tracks) on Matador. Doesn't mean Burma's wallowing in history.

Sat. Dec. 20 Sun. Dec. 21 A Christmas Celtic Sojourn is back for its sixth year, with the most genial host you'll ever encounter Brian O’Donovan. This year, he has lined up some of the greats: Irish super group Solas, Navan, singers Cara Dillon and Sean Keane as well as dancers Kieran Jordan and Kevin Doyle (as well as Walpole’s Harney Academy of Dance) and much more. As with last year, it's at the Cutler Majestic Theatre. It's up two weekends; the final two shows are Saturday Dec. 20 and Sunday Dec. 21. We talked with O’Donovan, host of WGBH’s “A Celtic Sojourn,” who put on his first Christmas show at the Somerville Theater in 2003 on, he says, “a whim.” I had been broadcasting national versions of ‘A Christmas Sojourn’ for a number of years,” he says. “I love doing radio in the context of a holiday and Christmas gives you a license to be sentimental, whereas another time someone might say “Come on!’ So, I said ‘Let’s try this at The Somerville Theatre, sketch it out and make it like the Christmas radio program with poetry, dancing, some Christmas songs. Make it a seamless blend.” The over-riding idea: “How do we create a Christmas party?”