The groups scheduled to perform include Twilight Jump, the Tenth Street Trio, the Soulard Blues Band, Park Avenue Jazz, Monica Casey, Swing Set, One Fell Swoop and the Tom Andes Trio. Debra Brown joins the Mighty Big Band for their version of "Blue Christmas," Jobim Dreams performs "Jolly Old St. Nicholas," New Age Drivel does "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," Ron Richard sings a Hawaiian holiday favorite and Dizzy Atmosphere trump Tchaikovsky with their take on "Dance of the Sugarplum Fairies."
This is Noelathon's eighth year, and, in addition to great music, it has at least two other swell things going for it. The first is that you can either pay $5 to get in or, for $10, you'll also get an audiocassette of all the performers doing their holiday numbers. This year's tape has been christened the Swingin' Shepherd Blues. The second is that no matter how much you pay to get in, you'll receive a platter of hot wings with admission.
Between acts, promises event organizer and BB's employee Margaret Bianchetta, there'll be a raffle for sweatshirts, CDs and other paraphernalia. Merchandise from each of the groups and tapes from past shows will be sold at at a souvenir stand. Bianchetta, who also performs as a singer and flutist in the Mighty Big Band and Jobim Dreams, notes that the sets will be short to accommodate so many groups and that the fun will last late into the night.
B.Y.O.M. (bring your own mistletoe).
