By Gregg Shapiro

Contributing writer

Dec. 12

The Massacres play Reggie’s Rock Club, 2109 S. State St., with The Scarred, The Infected and The Rotten Fruits, at 6 p.m. Call (312) 949-0120.

The world premiere of “Good Boys and True,” by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, directed by Pam MacKinnon and featuring ensemble member Martha Lavey with Stephen Louis Grush, Nick Horst, Mark Minton, Kelly O’Sullivan, John Procaccino, Tim Rock and Kelli Simpkins, opens tonight and runs through Feb. 16 in the Steppenwolf Downstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted.

Violinist Sergey Ostrovsky and pianist Dror Biran perform works by Prokofiev and Szymanowski at 12:15 p.m. in Preston Bradley Hall at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington. Call (312) 744-6630.

Davenport’s, 1383 N. Milwaukee, welcomes Trista Smith and Jason Grimm at 8 p.m.  Call (773) 278-1830.

Lemonheads and Racoon perform at the Double Door, 1572 N. Milwaukee. Call (773) 489-3160.

The Damwell Betters, Soraia, The Lie of a Pipe Dream, and The Real Jane Martin play the Elbo Room, 2871 N. Lincoln, at 9 p.m. Call (773) 549-5549.

Empty Bottle, 1045 N. Western, presents David Daniell, Bruce Lamont and Jon Mueller at 9 p.m. Call (773) 276-3600.

360 Smile is at Republic, 1520 N. Fremont, with Mindsight and LAZ, at 9 p.m. Call (312) 787-1130.

Schuba’s, 3159 N. Southport, hosts the Two Thumbs Down Records Holiday Showcase featuring Mt. St. Helens, Ozark Cousins, Driftless Pony Club, May Or May Not, Sleep Out, Kris Racer and Post Honeymoon, at 7:30 p.m. Call (773) 525-2508.

Dec. 13

Double Door, 1572 N. Milwaukee, presents These Arms Are Snakes, with Russian Circles at 9 p.m. Call (773) 489-3160.

At 8 p.m. Mike Manione Band plays Davenport’s, 1383 N. Milwaukee. Call (773) 278-1830.

The Irish-American Heritage Center, 4626 N. Knox, welcomes Jimmy Crowley at 8 p.m. Call (773) 282-7035.

Elbo Room, 2871 N. Lincoln, welcomes Sequoia, Woodward, Sleep Comes Down and About Nothin’ at 9 p.m. Call (773) 549-5549.

Empty Bottle, 1045 N. Western, presents Cristal, Wrnlrd and  Haptic. Call (773) 276-3600.

The Sword, Valient Thorr and Black Cobra are at Reggie’s Rock Club, 2109 S. State St., at 9 p.m. Call (773) 949-0120.

FitzGerald’s, 6615 W. Roosevelt in Berwyn, hosts the Naomi Ashley CD release party, with Lena Rush, at 8:30 p.m. Call  (708) 788-2118.

Chicago native, jazz vocalist Ann Hampton Callaway sings “The Blues in the Night” accompanied by the Chicago Jazz Orchestra at 8 p.m. in the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Chicago’s Millennium Park, 205 E. Randolph Dr. Call (312) 334-7777.

Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, hosts an evening with Shellac, plus guests The Bitter Tears at 9 p.m. Call (773) 227-4433.

The Lavellas, New Ghosts and Little Red and The Hoods play The Note, 1565 N. Milwaukee, at 9 p.m. Call (773) 489-0011.

Schuba’s, 3159 N. Southport, hosts Swede Home Chicago featuring The Bon Mots at 8 p.m. Call (773) 525-2508.

Ronny’s Bar, 2103 N. California, presents Lord Mantis and Cleric at 9 p.m. Call (773) 278-7170.

Les Getrex and Creole Cookin’ play B.L.U.E.S., 2519 N. Halsted St., at 9:30 p.m. Call (773) 528-1012.

Dec. 14

Johnny and the Leisure Suits, featuring Jonathan Brandmeier, play the Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Road in Rosemont, at 8 p.m. Call (847) 671-5100.

The Roches play the Nathan Manilow Theatre in Freedom Hall, 410 Lakewood Boulevard in Park Forest, at 8 p.m. Call (708) 747-0580.

Kenned & Carl perform “A Sacred Christmas” at 8 p.m. at Unity Of Oak Park, 405 N. Euclid in Oak Park. Call (708) 848-0960.

The Green Mill, 4802 N. Broadway, presents The Jackie Allen Quintet at 9 p.m. tonight and 8 p.m. tomorrow. Call (773) 878-5552.

Josh Kalmus is at The California Clipper, 1002 N. California, at 10 p.m. Call (773) 384-2547.

Titmice, Days Off and Jesus and the Devil rock Cal’s Liquors, 400 S. Wells St., at 10 p.m. Call (312) 922-6392.

St. Peter’s Cultivators present a dramatic reading of “For the Time Being: A Christmas Oratorio,” by W. H. Auden, at 7 p.m. at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 621 W. Belmont. Call (773) 525-0844.

The lineup for the first of two Thrill Jockey 15th anniversary concerts at the Logan Square Auditorium, 2539 N. Kedzie, includes Arbouretum, Archer Prewitt, Bobby Conn, Brokeback, Fiery Furnaces, School of Language, The Sea & Cake, out musician Thalia Zedek and special surprise guests. Call (773) 252-6179.

Duran Duran, Pat Monahan and Sara Bareilles play the Chicago Theater, 175 N. State, at 7:30 p.m. Call (312) 462-6300.

Colleen McHugh & Miriam Plotkin present “There’s Noel in Chanukah” tonight and tomorrow night at 8 p.m. at Davenport’s, 1383 N. Milwaukee. Call (773) 278-1830.

Victoria Vox plays the Two Way Street Coffee House, 1047 Curtiss in Downers Grove, at 8:15 p.m. Call (630) 969-9720.

T. Money Quartet featuring Neal Alger performs tonight and tomorrow night, beginning at 9 p.m., at Pops For Champagne, 601 N. State. Call (312) 266-7677.

Emerson Drive pulls into Joe’s Bar, 940 W. Weed, at 8:30 p.m. Call (312) 337-8588.

Knights of Crisis and The Tender Trio perform at 10 p.m. at the Heartland Café, 7000 N. Glenwood. Call (773) 465 8005.

Elbo Room, 2871 N. Lincoln, welcomes A Modern Bison, GreenSugar, Paragon, Mean Unseen Menace and Rebecca Rego at 9 p.m. Call (773) 549-5549.

At 10 p.m. Sybris, Headlights and Reds & Blue play the Empty Bottle, 1045 N. Western. Call (773) 276-3600.

FitzGerald’s, 6615 W. Roosevelt in Berwyn, presents Braam and DiveBar at 9:30 p.m. Call  (708) 788-2118.

Jon Faddis leads the Chicago Jazz Ensemble, a full concert choir and special guest vocalists in an evening featuring jazz legend Duke Ellington’s most introspective music, “Sacred Concerts,” at 8 p.m. in the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Chicago’s Millennium Park, 205 E. Randolph Dr. Call (312) 334-7777.

Uncommon Ground, 3800 N. Clark, presents Adam Ezra, Dain Estes and Jayme Dawicki, at 9 p.m.

Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, hosts an evening with Shellac, plus guests Tight Phantomz at 9 p.m. Call (773) 227-4433.

Bitchy, The Pullers, Gunrunner and Almost Rosario play The Note, 1565 N. Milwaukee, at 9 p.m. Call (773) 489-0011.

Schuba’s, 3159 N. Southport, presents The New Amsterdams with Canasta at 10 p.m. Call (773) 525-2508.

Dec. 15

Windy City Gay Chorus and Aria: Windy City Women’s Ensemble ring in the holidays with their 2007 holiday concert, “Home for the Holidays!,” under the baton of newly-appointed music director, Alan Wellman, at 5 and 8 p.m. this evening, and tomorrow at 2 p.m., in the Hoover-Leppen Theatre at the Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted. Go to windycitysings.org or call (773) 404-9242.

Wu-Tang Clan plays Metro, 3730 N. Clark St., at 10 p.m., with Decay and Astonish. Call (773) 549-0203.

The Verve Pipe is at the Double Door, 1572 N. Milwaukee, with Michael McDermott and Ryan Powers, at 9 p.m. Call (773) 489-3160.

Reggie’s Rock Club, 2109 S. State St., presents E-Zel, Spare Parts and Eli Jones at 9 p.m. Call (312) 949-0120.

Scotland Yard Gospel Choir plays The Note, 1565 N. Milwaukee, at 9 p.m. Call (773) 489-0011.

The lineup for the second of two Thrill Jockey 15th anniversary concerts at the Logan Square Auditorium, 2539 N. Kedzie, includes Adult, Califone, Eleventh Dream Day, Fred Anderson, Frequency, Pit er Pat, Trans Am, The Zincs and special surprise guests. Call (773) 252-6179.

Abbey Pub, 3420 W. Grace, presents Gabba Gabba Hey, Uncle Crusty, One Light Out and Full at 9 p.m. Call (773) 478-4408.

Sam Stryke’s Christmas Memories Concert begins at 8 p.m. (EST) at the Acorn Theater, 107 Generations Dr. in nearby Three Oaks, MI. Call (269) 756-3879.

American Legion Music Hall, 1030 Central in Evanston, presents David Davis & The Warrior River Boys at 8 p.m. Call (847) 573-0443.

My My My plays a CD release show with It Is What It Is, Last Place You Look, Project Ultra and LAPUSH at 9 p.m. at the Elbo Room, 2871 N. Lincoln. Call (773) 549-5549.

Empty Bottle, 1045 N. Western, welcomes Giant’s Chair, Singer and The Singleman Affair at 10 p.m. Call (773) 276-3600.

FitzGerald’s, 6615 W. Roosevelt in Berwyn, hosts the Off Broadway Christmas Show, with Green 13, at 9 p.m. Call  (708) 788-2118.

Mojoe’s Coffeehouse, 15447 S. 94th in Orland Park, presents St. Louis-based rock band Ludo with Edison Glass, Treaty of Paris and Deas Vail at 6:30 p.m. Call (708) 403-5323.

Subterranean, 2011 W. North, welcomes Kyle Mann Combo, Dick Prall and Calvin Marty, at 9 p.m. Call (773) 278-6600.

The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, presents Shellac playing two shows, with Allroh at noon and with Bearclaw at 9 p.m. Call (773) 227-4433.

Cologne-based composer Marcus Schmickler presents the U.S. premiere of his new composition, “Altars of Science” at 9 p.m. at Lampo, 216 W. Chicago, 2nd floor.

Indigenous performs at 10 p.m. at Martyrs’, 3855 N. Lincoln. Call (773) 404-9494.

The Red Line Tap, 7006 N. Glenwood, welcomes EverSoJake and B5 at 9 p.m. Call (773) 274-5463.

40 Oz. Sidekicks, Death On Two Wheels, The Grenadiers and Andrew Pelletier play Ronny’s Bar, 2103 N. California, at 9 p.m. Call (773) 278-7170.

The California Clipper, 1002 N. California, hosts the Dan Whitaker Country Band at 10 p.m. Call (773) 384-2547.

Uncommon Ground, 3800 N. Clark, presents Catsplash!, Eric Chial and Mark Balletto, at 9 p.m.

Austin’s Saloon, 481 Peterson in Libertyville, presents Cinder Road.

Dec. 16

The one and only Ozzy Osbourne rocks the Allstate Arena, 6920 Mannheim Road in Rosemont, at 7:30 p.m., with Rob Zombie. Call (847) 635-6601.

Country music legend Charlie Louvin plays Schubas Tavern, 3159 N. Southport, at 6 p.m. Call (773) 525-2508.

Catch Gunther & the Sunshine Girls, of the “Ding Dong Song (You Touch My Tra-La-La)” fame, are live in concert at 9 p.m. at the Abbey Pub, 3420 W. Grace. Call (773) 478-4408.

The Lyric Opera of Chicago presents Deborah Voigt in Strauss’ Die Frau ohne Schatten, tonight at the Civic Opera House, 20 N. Wacker. Call (312) 332-2244.

Jason Seed Elixir performs two sets, while Maybe August goes acoustic at 9 p.m. at the Elbo Room, 2871 N. Lincoln. Call (773) 549-5549.

Empty Bottle, 1045 N. Western, presents Scalpels, wzt hearts and Killer Whales at 9 p.m. Call (773) 276-3600.

Under the direction of Music Director Stephen Alltop, the 140-voice Apollo Chorus of Chicago performs Handel’s complete “Messiah” at 3 p.m. in the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Chicago’s Millennium Park, 205 E. Randolph Dr. Call (312) 334-7777.

The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, presents Shellac playing two shows—with Helen Money at noon and with Quatre Tete at 9 p.m. Call (773) 227-4433.

The Protégé Philharmonic, featuring young performers from across Chicago, performs a holiday program, with conductor Joseph Glymph, that includes Offenbach’s “Orpheus in the Underworld,” Strauss’ “Death and Transfiguration, Op. 24,” Anderson’s “Christmas Festival” and “Sleigh Ride,” Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake Suite, Op. 20” and a special Christmas Carol Sing-A-Long, at 3 p.m. in Preston Bradley Hall at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington. Call (312) 744-6630. 

Dec. 17

The Chicago cast of the hit musical “Altar Boyz” hosts “An Altar Boyz Christmas,” a one-night-only holiday concert at 200 East on Chestnut in the Seneca Hotel, 200 E. Chestnut, at 7 p.m.

Bailiwick Repertory, 1229 W. Belmont, presents “bare,” a dramatic musical set in a Catholic boarding school which explores the impact of family and the church on American youth, opening tonight and running through Jan. 27. Call (773) 883-1090.

Velvet Lounge, 37 E. Cermak, presents a rare/can’t miss club performance by the Art Ensemble of Chicago founder Don Moye’s Rites, Rhythm & Revival featuring Herb Walker, Joe Thomas, Koko Brunson, Enoch Williamson, Clifton Robinson and Attiba at 9 p.m. Call (312) 791-9050.

Z02, Evick, and The Anna play the Elbo Room, 2871 N. Lincoln, at 9 p.m. Call (773) 549-5549.

The Note, 1565 N. Milwaukee, presents Awesome Color, Velcro Lewis & His 100 Proof Band, Vee Dee and Lee Marvin Computer Arm at 9 p.m. Call (773) 489-0011.

Orion Ensemble, described as “one of Chicago’s most vibrant, versatile and distinctive ensembles,” offers a program of miniatures by composers such as Max Bruch, Joseph Haydn, Victor Babin and Dmitri Shostakovich at 12:15 p.m. in Preston Bradley Hall at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington. Call (312) 744-6630.

Netherfriends plays the Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western Ave., at 9 p.m. Call (773) 276-3600.

Dec. 18

Homolatte: Queer Words & Music, hosted by Scott Free, presents Byron Flitsch and Ben Lerman at 7:30 p.m. at Big Chicks/Tweet, 5024 N. Sheridan. Call (773) 728-5511.

The Double Door, 1572 N. Milwaukee, welcomes Athens, Color Radio, Carrie Ball and Arwin at 9 p.m. Call (773) 489-3160.

Unearthed plays Subterranean, 2011 W. North Ave., at 9 p.m., with Mr. Pitiful, The True Cubicles, Josh Solomon and the Empty Pockets. Call (773) 278-6600. 

Notary, The Cold War Direction, Hostage Juliet and Alain de Courtenay play the Elbo Room, 2871 N. Lincoln, at 9 p.m. Call (773) 549-5549.

Under the direction of artistic director Andrew Lewis, Chicago’s premier chamber choir Bella Voce performs holiday choral music, including Einojuhani Rautavaara’s “Magnificat” and Arvo Pärt’s “O Antiphons” at 7:30 p.m. in the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Chicago’s Millennium Park, 205 E. Randolph Dr. Call (312) 334-7777.