Hell’s bells

Merry and bright, with a change of soundtrack

The holiday season is in full swing and with it comes countless traditions and plenty of the same music you’ve heard every winter of your life. So this year, before the thousandth refrain of Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime” sends you to the madhouse, attend these events marking some other important late-December days and the following alternative yuletide gatherings.

The longest night of the year calls for stealing away somewhere cozy with a stiff drink and deep grooves. The Solstice Celebration at Duet (12/21, $20) with Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey founder, pianist Brian Haas, percussionist/vibraphonist Mike Dillon, and bassist James Singleton is the perfect nocturnal paean.

In a move we can only hope would bring Frank Costanza a semblance of serenity, The Starlite will host a Festivus Party (12/23) complete with the airing of grievances, feats of strength, and an unadorned aluminum pole.

Certainly a holiday in the annals of Tulsa music history, Soul City will host Steve Pryor’s Birthday Celebration (12/28). The tribute to the late and legendary guitarist will feature Damon Daniel, LD Price, and Dave “Skintight” White, as well as some surprise guests.

As for the tinsel-covered elephant in the room, there’s no need for Christmas traditions to be stale. Try T-Town Drag Queen Story Hour’s Merry Drag-mas at Bound for Glory Books (12/22). There’s also Seasons Readings at Magic City Books (12/23), where Public Radio Tulsa personalities (including TTV contributor Barry Friedman) will perform excerpts of David Sedaris’s “Holidays on Ice.”

If your celebrations must include some Christmas tunes, our picks are Christmas with Brother Rabbit and Kalyn Fay at pH Community House (12/21, $5 suggested donation), go “Looking for the Magic” at Dwight Twilley’s Holiday Party at Soul City (12/21), or Merry Riffmas at Blackbird on Pearl with Girls Club, Bandknife, and Creepozoidz (12/22, $5).