Lupita Infante, Vince Guaraldi, the Film Company and 7 other great concerts this week


San Diego’s concert schedule this week offers Christmas favorites — whether from a Motown revue, Beatles tribute or an all-star jazz band — but also heavy metal, an up-and-coming local rock act, and a visit from Lupita Infante.
Charlie Brown Jingles & Jazz
One of the holiday season’s most beloved events is the annual screening of the Peanuts “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” with Vince Guaraldi’s beloved soundtrack that has now lived a life far beyond its animation origins. On Dec. 19 and 20 at the Baker Baum Concert Hall, music have a chance to hear those songs live, with an all-star jazz band led by guitarist Peter Sprague and featuring Allison Adams Tucker (vocals), Tripp Sprague (flute and saxophone), Beth Ross Buckley (flute), Mackenzie Leighton (double bass), Danny Green (piano), and Duncan Moore (drums). Tucker’s clear, beautiful voice is particularly outstanding on songs such as “Christmastime Is Here.”
- Friday and Saturday, Dec. 19 and 20 at The Baker Baum Concert Hall at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave. 7:30 p.m. $38 and up.
Faux Fighters
There are plenty of tribute acts out there, but few have a dead ringer as a frontman. Playing at The Holding Company on Dec. 20, Faux Fighters play spot-on versions of Foo Fighters hits such as “Times Like These” and “This Is A Call.” But waht sets them apart is frontman Chelsea Scott, who not only sounds like Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, but looks so much like him he could be his twin brother. If you’re a fan of the Foos, this is truly the next best thing to the real deal.
- Saturday, Dec. 20 at The Holding Company, 5046 Newport Ave, 5:30 p.m. $10.
Smooth Operator – A Tribute to Sade
Fans of soul, jazz and Latin rhythms will find a lot to love during Smooth Operator – A Tribute to Sade at Humphreys Backstage Live on Dec. 21. Sade hasn’t toured in 15 years, but fans will find Smooth Operator a pretty good substitute, with an arsenal of hits in their repertoire including standards such as “Smooth Operator” and “Your Love is King.” The six-piece band itself is top notch and singer Mia Paris does a good job of replicating Sade’s vocals and signature stage moves.
- Sunday, Dec. 21 at Humphreys Backstage Live, 2241 Shelter Island Drive, 6 p.m. $24.
Lupita Infante
Specializing in traditional mariachi and norteño songs with a contemporary perspective, is headed to the House of Blues on Dec. 21. Infante is an incredible singer, bringing heartfelt emotion to her lyrics. On this tour she is spotlighting songs from her latest album, “La Corona Es Mia.” They’re all great showcases for her powerful voice, but the night’s biggest cheers will likely be for a four song medley of iconic Mexican songs, “El Son de la Negra / Cielito Lindo / Volver Volver / Si Nos Dejan.”
- Sunday, Dec. 21, at the House of Blues, 1055 10th Ave. $30 and up.
Abbey Road Christmas with The Beatles
The Beatles remain one of the most iconic bands of all time, with their recent Disney+ airings of “Anthology” still managing to gain them new fans. On Dec. 23, The Belly Up Tavern hosts tribute band Abbey Road’s special “Christmas with The Beatles” show, featuring a selection of the band’s best-known songs complete with wigs, three costume changes, vintage gear, and interactive video. Setting this apart from other Fab Four tributes, the night’s music will include holiday-themed Beatles cuts, including solo years classics such as John Lennon’s “Happy Christmas (War Is Over)” and Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmas Time.”
- Tuesday, Dec. 23 at The Belly Up Tavern, 143 S. Cedros Ave. 8 p.m. $23 and up. bellyup.com.
The Film Company
Anyone questioning the current vitality of rock ‘n’ roll needs to look no further than local trio The Film Company to hear that things are just fine. Playing at the Tower Bar on Dec. 20, the group specializes in short, sharp bursts of adrenaline-charged rock. The Film Company is fronted by guitarist B Reilley and is both hard driving and melodic with instantly catchy gems in a set list that captures a mix of punk frenzy, garage rock attitude, and strong song hooks, like The Who. Playing in advance of their upcoming album, “The Starving Artist and the Holy Ghost,” there is no doubt that The Film Company is one of the strongest rock ‘n’ roll combos to emerge from San Diego in recent years.
- Saturday, Dec. 20 at The Tower Bar, 4757 University Ave., 8 p.m. $13.
The Hollywood Stones
Long-running Rolling Stones tribute band, The Hollywood Stones, does a good job of recreating the Stones’ overall sound, playing a greatest hits set that takes in the best of their namesake group’s songs from the mid-1960s though to the late 1970s, ranging from “Paint It Black” to “Angie.”During the group’s Dec. 20 gig at Tio Leo’s, long-time Stones’ fans will love The Hollywood Stones’ quest for authenticity, using vintage gear to faithfully replicate the music.
- Saturday, Dec. 20 at Tio Leo’s, 6333 Mission Gorge Road. 7 p.m. $20.
El Vez & The Centuries
An El Vez concert is always a great time, mixing elements of Elvis and Las Vegas excess with Mexican cultural touchstones, pop culture, and plenty of humor. On Dec. 21, he’ll take the stage at The Casbah backed by rockabilly trio The Centuries. They’ll run through evergreen songs like the “Little Drummer Boy,” but in recast versions that’ll amuse and delight and maintain their claim to great rock ‘n’ roll. Whatever El Vez includes in the night’s set list, you’ll be sure to leave the show with an experience you’ll be talking about for weeks to come.
- Sunday, Dec. 21 at The Casbah, 2501 Kettner Blvd. 4 p.m. $32.
Motown & Mistletoe
On Dec. 22 and 23, Lou Lou’s will present Motown & Mistletoe, a show featuring a selection of holiday favorites as performed by the likes of Darlene Love, The Supremes, The Ronettes, and other stars of the early 1960s girl-group era. The night’s eight-piece band will feature vocals from five singers, including Kori Gillis, Amanda Portela, Sandi King, Baylea Morgan, and five-time San Diego music award winner Whitney Shay. With a setlist full of vintage tunes such as “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus,” and the concert taking place in the classy confines of the 80-year-old Mississippi Ballroom housing Lou Lou’s, this promises to be a wonderfully nostalgic evening.
- Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 22 and 23 at Lou Lou’s, 2223 El Cajon Blvd. 7 and 10 p.m. $30.
Cattle Decapitation
It’s been 30 years since death metal quintet Cattle Decapitation began its assault on the senses, offering up loud, brutal, in-your-face rock, played with a manic energy. They’ll bring that assault to the Observatory on Dec. 19, touring behind their two-year-old album, “Terrasite.” It’s clear Cattle Decapitation have lost none of their intensity over the decades. While their concerts are not for the faint of heart, if you like your rock ‘n’ roll on the truly heavy side, Cattle Decapitation never fails to give their all in a performance.
- Friday, Dec. 19 at The Observatory, 2871 University Ave. 6 p.m. $37.
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