TUE 11/29 Egyptian-born Muslim/comedian Ahmed Ahmed and rabbi/ entertainer Bob Alper are diplomats on a mission from their respective gods: to bring down the house, but not with bombs — with laughs. The two established comedians — Ahmed is a regular at LA's renowned Comedy Store and has appeared in films and on TV, while Alper has also been on TV, has a couple comedy CDs out and yet still attends to congregations in Buffalo and Philadelphia — have decided to join forces as a stand-up team to bring together audiences of all faiths. Billed as "hilarious, healing and hopeful," the comedy duo's smash show, "One Muslim. One Jew. One Stage," hits the stage at the Ethical Society of St. Louis (9001 Clayton Road, Ladue) at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for "One Muslim. One Jew. One Stage" are $30 and can be purchased by calling 314-534-1111 or visiting www.metrotix.com. Special VIP tickets that include an after-show reception with the comedians are available for $50. For more information visit www.ethicalstl.org. — Mark Fischer
Trumpet His Return
In October, the RFT wondered if St. Louis could be poised to become the new New Orleans. Now there is convincing evidence that certain properties of New Orleans-ness (the river, the French name and, more important, jazz) may actually be intrinsic to St. Louis. Take Jeremy Davenport, for example. One of the brightest stars on the New Orleans jazz scene, trumpeter, vocalist, pal of Emeril and leader of the French Quarter Ritz-Carlton's house band, Davenport is a University City native. Though musically adopted by the Marsalis clan and Harry Connick Jr., Davenport developed his chops studying right here at home. If there is an argument to be made that the Crescent City is just borrowing from the Gateway City, Davenport is the proof. He performs his annual Thanksgiving homecoming series at Jazz at the Bistro (3536 Washington Avenue; 314-531-1012 or www.jatb.org) Friday through Sunday night (November 25 to 27) at 8:30 and 10:15 p.m. Tickets are $35. For more on Davenport, see B-Sides on page 58. — Anna Teekell
SLSO at SLAM
A Well-Seasoned Sound
FRI 11/25 Whether you're a fan of Blue Christmas, White Christmas or multi-cultural winter solstice, the crisp post-Thanksgiving days and nights may cause a tingle in your tender places. And the best way to scratch that Yuletide itch is with a little holiday music. Should the radio fodder fail to deck your halls, you can always count on the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra. Members of the SLSO perform a selection of holiday favorites from the chamber repertoire at 2 and 7 p.m. at the Saint Louis Art Museum auditorium in Forest Park (314-721-0072 or www.slam.org). Avoid the mall crowds and digest the leftovers in peace. Both shows are $5 to $10. — Jedidiah Ayres
