A Musical Weekend: Where to Go...What to Hear

This weekend's music landscape is pretty darn sweet.  Here are my three "Picks o' the Week" followed by a more complete schedule of what's going down.

Pick o' the Week #1: XPN Welcomes Music Friday to Downtown Lancaster - Tomorrow night (12/19). The city goes music crazy with all types of music at local venues, stores and galleries. Literally something for every musical taste from jazz to classical to indie rock. This is a monthly event that ought to be on your calendar as a regular stop. Check out the Faux Minx at Building Character, Share the Bread at the Annex 24 Gallery, Maryjo Mattea at Veleska Jewelry, Mike Butera at the Infantree, and many more. Music music everywhere!

Pick o' the Week #2: Love >>> Begotten Concert at Wheatland Presbyterian Church in Lancaster - Saturday, 12/20. Hiram Ring, Matt Monticchio, David Green, and others perform music from this year's Christmas CD release of Love >>> Begotten. A great way to usher in the Christmas holiday.

Pick o' the Week #3: XPN Welcomes Hoots & Hellmouth with Slimfit & Perkasie to the Chameleon. Two of Lancaster's hottest bands open up for Philly sensation Hoots & Hellmouth.

Now here's the rest of what's happening around Central PA:

Thursday, 12/18

Alt-rockers Red are playing upstairs at the Chameleon in Lancaster, while York native Adam Kowalczyk (of the band Live) will be performing downstairs in the Lizard Lounge.

Friday, 12/19

If you're in Lancaster for Music Friday, check out Vinegar Creek Constituency at Lancaster Dispensing Co., and the Sketties, along with Daniel Herr, at Isaac's on Queen Street. 

If you're more of a "classical" kinda person, check out the Susquehanna Chorale's Candlelight Christmas at Whitaker Center, featuring a performance of Handel's Messiah.

Saturday, 12/20

If you miss the Sketties on Friday night you can catch them Saturday at Sparky & Clarke's in York. Meanwhile, three great local bands, The Mint, Kheris, and The April Skies will be up in Harrisburg at the Abbey Bar. 

And again on the more classical side, Whitaker Center offers The Harrisburg Choral Society's Fresh & Evergreen.

Sunday, 12/21

The highlight this night is Love Came Down at Christmas, a Christmas pageant at Whitaker Center featuring Jars of Clay, Leeland, Sixpence None the Richer, and Sara Groves.

Monday, 12/22

For a more intimate and quiet evening, check out Matt Brown & friends at the Prince Street Cafe in Lancaster.

If you know of any other cool music events in Central PA over the next few days, feel free to throw them in the comments section here. Share the love!