Local singer-songwriter Chris Allen holds a house party around this time every year with his favorite musicians, who play and record original Christmas songs and favorite seasonal covers. Last year, he made the private party a public one, performing at clubs and even hosting a night of caroling to celebrate the release of Love and Hope, a family-friendly collection of yuletide tunes produced by local luminary Don Dixon (R.E.M., the Smithereens). The album features songs like the rambunctious “Real Good Christmas Time” and the rowdy album-closing “Holiday Hop.” The tunes are now staples of the Ohio City Singers’ sets, so expect to hear them when the group kicks off its Christmas concert series at 4 p.m. at Around the Corner (18616 Detroit Ave., 216.521.4413). Tickets: $8, $3 for kids. — Jeff Niesel
This article appears in Dec 2-8, 2009.
