As we approach the point of saturation and consternation of the Christmas excess surrounding and encompassing our lives at this time, perhaps it’s best to succumb to the magic of the moment, if not with glee, then at least with tolerance and acceptance, relying on the fact as stated in a famous holiday song that “Christmas comes but once a year” and be thankful, lean back, and enjoy the whole shebang.

The Deep Hollow can certainly help you with that enjoyment during their second annual Hollowday Show on Thursday, Dec. 14 (that’s tonight, if you’re an on time IT reader), when Liz, Dave and Micah welcome you to Arlington’s for a night of Christmas revelry. The Americana trio’s first set of all-seasonal songs includes a new one, “Santa Don’t Leave,” penned by Micah Walk himself. The song is available on Bandcamp in a pay-what-you-want format with all proceeds going towards the funding of the upcoming TDH album due in 2018. The second set consists of regular Deep Hollow songs, including, I’m guessing, some songs off the new record that is currently in the recording process. You can donate freely at the door (no cover to get in), pre-order the CD ($25 minimum), and bid on a private house concert (no maximum), all in support of a local band working hard to get their music out there.

Also on Thursday, famed flatpicker Eric Lambert is joined by renowned mandolinist Josh Mcpartland at the monthly “Music at the Museum” concert hosted by Illinois singersongwriter-musician Chris Vallillo. Chris has booked all of 2018 with some great acts (just as he did in 2017), so mark the second Thursday of every month as a good day to wander down to your very own Illinois State Museum. Yes, it’s the same museum that was closed for awhile for a reason that just seems even more senseless, stupid and idiotic now then when it happened. But we travel on, and the music helps the whole thing heal, bringing a monthly concert to the Thorne Deuel Auditorium and folks back to visit their museum.

Lambert has a decades-long career of awardwinning, flatpicking guitar-playing in many different combos, including a recent stint with Chicago bluegrass outfit the Henhouse Prowlers, as well as in many different venues around the U.S., plus 10 countries abroad. Mcpartland clocks in as no slouch himself, having studied with world-class mandolinist Don Sternberg and performed some with Punch Brother banjo player Noam Pikelney. The music starts at 7 with a performance by Chris leading into the main act.

For random weekend events, check out the facts on these acts. Jimmy Riemer returns home from his first college semester at Athens, Georgia, for performances at 3Sixteen Wine Bar in Chatham on Friday evening and Sunday afternoon at Hill Prairie Winery. Did you learn any REM songs, Jimmy? Off the Wall needed a bigger venue to accommodate the Wallers Xmas Gift Exchange, so off they went to Casey’s Pub. Bring a $10 gift, wear your ugly Xmas sweater, and come for a good time starting at 7:30 on Saturday night. Mark Gifford and Damien Kaplan do a Dual Piano Christmas triple show on Friday and Saturday evenings plus Sunday afternoon at the Hoogland’s LRS Theatre. You just need to be there to understand and experience the intensity and hilarity of these two accomplished musicians just having at two Steinway grand pianos together on stage. And, don’t forget, next week brings the last of the downtown Holiday Walks on Saturday afternoon and Wednesday evenings.

Other than that, there ain’t nothing going on in this old town. Ha, ha. Ho, ho.

Contact Tom Irwin at [email protected]