Ten shows, concerts and benefits to attend between December 23 and 29

For local clubs, the week after Christmas can be rather dead. Out-of-town touring acts take a break for the holidays, while locals tend to rest up, spend time with family and save their energy for New Year's Eve. (The exception to this rule, as always, is El Monstero.) 2010 is even slower than normal; many clubs simply don't have shows booked that week. Nevertheless, a few events are happening here or there. Here are ten highlights:

Thursday, December 23
The Firebird (2706 Olive Street; 314-535-0353) hosts A Rockin' Christmas for the Kids, whose aim is to raise money so that Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center can buy iPods for its patients. The Hail Marys, the Griddle Kids, the Hooten Hallers, Spark Thugs and 707 – which features Chris Powers, Casey Reid and Irene Allen – are performing. 7:30 p.m. $10.

Affton native Kristeen Young, who's been recording with producer Tony Visconti again as of late, returns for a homecoming show at Off Broadway (3509 Lemp Avenue; 314-773-3363). Expect plenty of piano-based theatrics indebted to PJ Harvey and Björk. Local grrl-rockers Peach open. 9 p.m. 21-plus: $8. Under 21: $11.

The Old Rock House (1200 South Seventh Street; 314-588-0505) kicks out the funk-jams with Reelfoot and Fresh Heir and hip-hop act the ChalkBoyz. 9 p.m. $10. 21-plus only.

Saturday, December 25
Bottle Rockets frontman Brian Henneman performs his annual Christmas night solo concert. This year, the festivities take place at Iron Barley (5510 Virginia Avenue; 314-351-4500) starting at 10 p.m. $10.

Keep the seasonal goodwill flowing on Christmas night, as two venues open their doors for benefits. Fubar (3108 Locust Avenue; 314- 289-9050) hosts A Punk Rock X-Mas: Gimme Your Guts 2: Transplant Benefit for Tommy Moslander. Bands such as Atomic Betty, Opposites Attack and I Stabbed My Landlord (among many others) gather for the gig. Doors at 7 p.m. $7 minimum donation.

The Roberts Orpheum (416 North Ninth Street; 314-588-0388), meanwhile, is the site of a Save Camp Zoe Benefit Show to raise money for the beleaguered Salem, Missouri, campground. The Schwag – which hosts its frequent Schwagstock events at the site – will be doing two sets. According to the benefit's Facebook event, "proceeds will go to the Camp Zoe Trust Account to help pay for legal defense and general bills for Camp Zoe." 9 p.m. $15 in advance, $20 day of show. 18-plus, although minors accompanied by an adult will be allowed.

Bunnygrunt and BUTT take over Mangia Italiano (3145 South Grand Boulevard; 314- 664-8585) for a show full of sloppy pop wonder. 11 p.m. Free.

Former Urge vocalist Steve Ewing is throwing a DVD release party at the Tin Can Tavern (3157 Morganford Road; 314-865-3003) starting at 9:30 p.m. Ticket price TBA.

Monday, December 27
Popular '80s locals the Unconscious reunited in recent years, but the band isn't just coasting on past glories: The reggae-influenced rockers performed a new song, the prog-funk sprawl "Hand Full of Soul," at its Pageant show last year. (The tune is available to hear/view at its ReverbNation page, www.reverbnation.com/theunconscious.) Judging by a few cryptic Facebook hints, expect big things again this year from the Unconscious at the Pageant (6161 Delmar Boulevard; 314-726-6161). Dawn Weber & the Electro Funk Assembly, which released the full-length Now I See earlier this year, is opening. 8 p.m. $15 in advance, $20 day of show. Wednesday, December 29
The veteran old-school local punk band Ultraman gathers at Fubar for one of its rare live shows. Snake Ranch and a reunion of the Scam are also on the docket that night. Doors at 7 p.m. $8.