Mistletoe and beach umbrellas? Chestnuts roasting by the oceanside? Johnny Memphis’s popular annual Flo Ho Ho holiday show will have a bit of an island theme this year, inspired by his recent family trip to Hawaii. Celebrate Christmas and good cheer at Flo Ho Ho Aloha, in the upstairs ballroom at Veterans Friends Family Formerly VFW in Florence on Saturday at 6 p.m. All ages are welcome. Memphis and friends ask that you bring along a can of food for the Survival Center.
The holiday party features a plentiful lineup of live bands. The fun Boston-based guitar combo Pete Weiss & the Weisstronauts will light up the room with their surf-spy-twang-rock. Steve Westfield’s Beige will play ska/dub with a sense of humor and an appreciation for chaos. The Johnny Memphis Band will offer up some good-time rock ’n’ roll by the chimney, with care. The Ukulele Scramble, featuring Robin Hoffman and David Perlmutter, will perform rare and obscure songs from the past 500 years. And here’s a great gift: Jerks on the Loose — aka the harmonious Roches tribute band featuring Christine Geisler Andrews, Kay McKinstry and Katy Schneider — will make a welcome return to the stage after wowing the crowd at Transperformance back in August.
All this, plus Christmas Karaoke, visual art projections by Bell & Howl, and a personal appearance by the legendary Santa Claus before he jumps in his sleigh and catches a wave, surfing the tinsel off into the night.
Memphis’s time in Hawaii with his kids this past summer planted the seed for this year’s show, he said. “It was my first time there, and on a superficial level, I came back wondering what I might do with some souvenir grass skirts and leis we brought back … and on a deeper level, I was taken by the easy, natural, confident vibe of the islands. The relaxed aloha spirit, where people are not in a big rush, seemed like a cool way to do the holidays. The basic idea of Flo Ho Ho is to have a fabulous, inexpensive holiday party that you can stop by on your way to another party — or stay all night for all the fun.”
Galvanizer, led by guitarist John Caban, plays two sets of funky music, perfect for any season, at Brew Practitioners in Florence on Friday starting at 7:30 p.m. No cover charge.
The Nields and Ben Demerath bring their annual Christmas Caroling show back to The Parlor Room in Northampton on Saturday at 2 p.m. The event is also a release party for their long-awaited Christmas album “Joy To the World.” Delectable pie (from the Florence Pie Bar) will be served, and lyrics for the carols will be provided.
Ray Mason, the Valley’s own King of Pop, returns for another solo show at the Saturday Night Rise music series at Bread Euphoria & Cafe in Haydenville on Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. No cover charge.
Vocalist Bebel Gilberto (daughter of legendary João ) brings her mix of bossa nova, jazz and pop to The Iron Horse in Northampton on Saturday at 7 p.m. DJ Baird Soules spins music before the show.
The Stone Coyotes (the Valley’s longtime heavy-rocking family band), Janel Munoa (who just completed her debut album “Howls From Deep In the Woods” with a who’s who of area players, all joining her for the show) and Dez Roy (local country vocalist/guitarist) appear at The Root Cellar in Greenfield on Saturday at 8 p.m.
The close-knit local multigenerational supergroup Muswell Hillbillies got their start covering Kinks songs, but they’ve expanded their repertoire to include other bands they love. This time out they’ll perform an entire night of songs by The Police at The Iron Horse on Sunday at 7 p.m.
Cross Tie Walkers, Wyola, Miranda Brown, Jerry Brookman, Matt Bachand, Jason Simon and Mikey Flynn will play short and sweet sets, with all proceeds to benefit the Easthampton Toy Fund, at the Luthier’s Co-op in Easthampton on Sunday at 7 p.m. $10 minimum donation at the door. 21-plus.
Of Artemis, Mark Schwaber and Brothers Born join forces for a triple bill at the Luthier’s Co-op on Thursday starting at 7 p.m. Free show, but tips are appreciated.