Newsflash: If you’re reading this on Thursday, Dec. 15, you have exactly 10 days before Christmas.
That’s 240 fast-as-lightening hours.
In shopping terms: roughly 130 hours, give or take.
Not in the mood yet, you last-minute feet-draggers?
Here are five concerts that will put the ho-ho-ho in your step:
- Run Boy Run, 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, The Rialto Theatre, 318 E. Congress St. Tucson’s own bluegrass/acoustic band is celebrating the release of its newest EP “I Would Fly” with a few of its favorite Christmas sing-a-longs. And they’ve invited a few friends to join in the fun: Ryanhood, Katie Haverly, Sweet Ghosts, Woven Oak Trio and others. $16 in advance at ticketfly.com, $23 day of show. All seats are reserved.
- “A Bach Christmas” with the Helios Ensemble, 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, at St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church, 3809 E. Third St. The choir accompanied by trumpets and timpani is showcasing Johann Sebastian in all his Christmas glory, from his magnificent Christmas Oratorios to his cantata “Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben!” Tickets are $8 for students, $18 for adults at heliosensemble.org
- The Arroyo Cafe Christmas Radio Show, featuring Dave Fitzsimmons and friends, 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at the Rialto Theatre. If Fitzsimmons is leading the charge, you can be assured of three things: You will laugh — a lot; you will be immensely entertained; and you will be reminded of how much dang talent is hiding out in our humble berg. The show, a presentation of The Old Pueblo Radio Show, is a throwback to those old-fashioned radio variety shows featuring music, comedy and a Secret Santa Mystery Guest. Also on the lineup: Crystal Stark, Marty Bishop, Grandsons of the Pioneers Bill and Mindy Ronstadt, The Arroyo Cafe Players, Jay Taylor, Nancy Stanley, Mike Sterner, KXCI’s Bridgette Thum, Elliott Glicksman, Nick Seivert and Lindsey McHugh. Tickets are $10 in advance at ticketfly.com or $15 at the door, with proceeds benefiting Tu Nidito.
- Blind Boys of Alabama Christmas show, featuring Tucson blues player Roman Barten-Sherman, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 22, at the Rialto Theatre. The famous blues gospel group brings to life its latest album, “Talkin’ Christmas!,” a collection of original and innovative interpretations of standards including a hand-clapping kick on “Do You Hear What I Hear?” and an acoustic version of “Silent Night.” Tickets are $29 in advance at ticketfly.com or $39 day of show.
- Dave Koz Christmas Tour 2016, featuring Jonathan Butler, Kenny Lattimore and Valerie Simpson of Ashford and Simpson fame, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15 at Fox Tucson Theatre, 17 W. Congress St. Koz will surround himself with some world-class vocalists on this, the 19th anniversary of his holiday tour. And if you’ve ever seen Koz live, including when he opened for Barry Manilow at Tucson Arena earlier this year, you know that the most dominant voice on the stage will come from his saxophone. $47 to $104 through foxtucsontheatre.ticketforce.com
