Holiday music events

Live music and more - including a rundown of New Year's Eve and other holiday happenings - tonight through Thursday, compiled by Tom Di Nardo, Shaun Brady, Sara Sherr, Damon C. Williams and Laurie T. Conrad.

2nd Annual Non-Denominational, Completely Secular, Philebrity Christmas Pageant: The city's cash-strapped public libraries are the beneficiary of Philebrity's annual event: "Dust off the weird family dynamics of the holidays and come have some fun." Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 8 tonight, $10 (goes toward the Friends of the Free Library challenge asking every Philadelphia to donate $10 to keep our libraries open), 215-739-9684, johnnybrendas.com.

Silverghost: Marcie Bolen from the Von Bondies and her new band head up this Christmas covers show with Kitty Rotten, the Future Unwritten and the Headies. Khyber, 56 S. 2nd St., 8 p.m. Sunday, $8, 215-238-5888, www.thekhyber.com.

Anders Manly: Local indie-rockers host a pre-New Year's Eve costume party with Univox, the Nite Lights and Steve Goldberg & the Arch Enemies. M Room, 15 W. Girard Ave., 9 p.m. Tuesday, $8, 215-739-5577, www.themanhattanroom.com.

Dr. K's Motown Revue: Seasoned musicians join Paul Korman (aka Dr. K) to read the Motown songbook the way it oughta be read, with singers, horns and a lotta soul. Ain't nothin' like the real thing, baby! Sellersville Theater 1894, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville, 7 ($39.50) and 10:30 ($47.50) p.m. Wednesday, 215-257-5808, www.st94.com.

R5/Making Time New Year's Eve Celebration: Sparks may be gone, but the cocaine sex jams and party train anthems continue with Dave P, Dave Pak, Mike Z, the Rock T-ts DJs, Pink Skull, Adam Sparkles and the Broadzilla DJs. Very important plus: six-hour open bar! Transit, 600 Spring Garden St., 9 p.m. Wednesday, $30-40, 267-765-5210, www.r5productions.com.

Johnny Brenda's New Year's Eve: Includes Pattern Is Movement, Mural and the Mint, DJ Brian Sokel and a goodbye bash for Philly Weekly writer Doug Wallen, who is moving to Australia. Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9 p.m. Wednesday, $5, 215-739-9684, www.johnnybrendas.com.

New Year's Eve with Alô Brasil: A dozen Philly musicians spanning three generations, with costumed dancers and enough energy to ring 2009 in right - on the dance floor. The band's repertoire is rooted in African-influenced and Brazilian rhythms. They'll be releasing their new CD, too. Includes Brazilian-flavored buffet. World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., doors and dinner at 6 p.m., show 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, $65 and $80, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.

Hoppin' John Orchestra: Philadelphia 10-piece rings in the new year with a blend of New Orleans brass band music, classic jazz, Dixieland, and old-fashioned R&B. Chris' Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom St., 9 p.m. Wednesday, $25, 215-568-3131, www.chrisjazzcafe.com.

Philadelphia Orchestra: Rossen Milanov conducts the annual New Year's Eve bash, with soprano Heidi Stober and baritone Hugh Russell as guest artists. The program includes 11 familiar Viennese arias and orchestral gems by Franz Lehar and Johann Strauss Jr., including selections from "Die Fledermaus" and "The Merry Widow," and concluding with the 2009-heralding "On the Beautiful Blue Danube." Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Broad and Spruce streets, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, $$43.50-$153, 215-893-1999, www.philorch.org.

2nd Annual Mistletoe Jam: WMMR/Jaxon's Local Shots Live welcomes rising Philly rock collective IKE, Jealousy Curve, the Caulfields and Matt Duke. World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 7:30 tonight, $15 and $20, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.

The Brakes: Here's one Philly band that's probably looking forward to 2008's end, given drummer/founding member Josh Sack's death this year from leukemia at age 22. Insightful lyrics and a melding of Americana folk and jazz to a solid rock-'n'-roll base characterize a band the Village Voice called "a monument to calmly neurotic pop excellence." It's an all-locals bill shared with Slo-Mo featuring Mic Wrecka. Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9:30 p.m. tomorrow, $12, 215-739-9684, www.johnnybrendas.com.

Pat McGee: "Save Me," his fourth album, brings the guitar-slinger and singer back to his indy roots. Consistent touring has earned McGee a loyal following for solidly crafted tunes and stellar live performances over the past decade. With Ernie Halter and Luke Mulholland. World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 7:30 tomorrow, $25 and $35, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.

Robert Randolph & the Family Band: Do the jerk until it hurts with this R&B-mashing outfit. More funky rhythms on the bill from Soulive and Danielia Cotton. Electric Factory, 7th and Willow streets, 8:30 p.m. tomorrow, $25, $30 and $79 four-pack, 215-336-2000, www.livenation.com.

Mary Fahl: Her distinctive voice sees to rise out of some vast sacred space. Fahl's instrument is well-served by rich arrangements in recordings, but having seen her as a member of October Project in the '90s, we can say her live sound is every bit as lush. Maybe she'll share something from her not-yet-released "re-imagining" of Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon." She's well-paired here with Byron Isaacs & Glenn Patscha (Ollabelle). Tin Angel, 20 S. 2nd St., 7 p.m. tomorrow, $22, 215-928-0770, www.tinangel.com.

Assembly Of Dust: Walking in the giant steps of Little Feat, the Dead and Paul Simon, AOD owns its sound with shining guitar hooks and textured grooves supporting co-founder Reid Genauer's strong vocals. Sellersville Theater, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville, 7:30 p.m. Monday, $19.50, 215-257-5808, www.st94.com.

Motown Dance Party: Legendary WDAS DJ Butterball's perpetual party has landed. Line dance those Christmas cookies off to Butter's insightful selections from the well-worn genre. North by Northwest, 7165 Germantown Ave., 6 p.m. Tuesday, $5 before 8, $7 after, 215-248-1000, www.nxnwphl.com.

Gandalf Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams: Disturbing the neighbors in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., this band's won Hudson Valley Magazine's band of the year award three years running with its atmospheric blend of traditional folk instruments, electric guitar and singer Joziah Longo's scratchy-soothing vocals. They've got a new Christmas disc, "A Very Slambovian Christmas," to go with their other '08 release, "The Great Unravel." World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, $25 and $35, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.

Gregg Allman: Sometimes we feel like a whipping post. How 'bout you? Let Gregg and pals country-rock you into 2009. Keswick Theatre, Easton Road and Keswick Avenue, Glenside, 8 p.m. Wednesday, $49.50 and $59.50, 215-572-7650, www.keswicktheatre.com.

Christmas Show & Party: Nevermind that it occurs the day after Christmas; anytime is a good time to witness the live chops of emcees T-DOT, Lyrical Lye and Illogik. DJs PCutta, Empire and Wreck each take a set at this low-stress event. The Balcony, 1003 Arch St., 8 tonight, $10, 21+, 215-922-live, www.thetroc.com.

Wu-Tang Clan: So you missed them in Philly? Head west to catch Ghostface, RZA, GZA, U-God, Inspectah Deck, Masta Killa and Raekwon before the year's out. (Method Man is on a separate tour with Redman.) Locals 46 Acorns and High Life will open. Chameleon Club, 223 N. Water St., Lancaster, 8:30 p.m. tomorrow, $40, 717-393-7133, www.chameleonclub.com.

Body Rock: The last edition of the year promises to be a doozy, as the Illvibe collective of DJs - Statik, Panek, Phillee Blunt, Lil Dave and Skipmode - spin their unique blends and display their refined beat-juggling skills. Manhattan Room, 15 W. Girard Ave., 10 p.m. tomorrow, $6, 21+, 215-739-5577, www.themanhattanroom.com.

The Roots: Who could want more than a pre-NYE show by high-energy band the Roots? Though not given enough credit in hip-hop circles for their longevity and consistency, they are rightly hailed as one of music's hardest-working bands. House of Blues at Showboat, 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, 8 p.m. Tuesday, $41 and $39, 18+, 609-236-blue, www.hob.com/atlanticcity.

McRad: Chuck Treece's punk band headlines an early all-ages show with Chewing Pics, the Ray Gradys and Bednarik. The Fire, 412 W. Girard Ave., 6 tonight, $7, www.iourecords.com.

Weston: Beloved Philadelphia punk-pop band takes a hiatus after this show, with Latex Generation, the Horrible Truth About Me and Fang Fang. Khyber, 56 S. 2nd St., 9 p.m. tomorrow, $10, 215-238-5888, www.thekhyber.com.

Pow Wow! Music blog Bag of Songs debuts this New York band to watch that recently played with punk legends Suicide. Also: Broken Trees and DeJesus. M Room, 15 W. Girard Ave., 9 p.m. Sunday, $8, 215-739-5577, www.themanhattanroom.com.

Paul Green School of Rock All-Stars: The cream of the crop of junior rockers and documentary subjects do two shows. World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 7 and 9:30 p.m. Monday, $19, 215-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.

Smooth Sailing: An evening of "yacht rock" ('70s soft stuff a la Hall and Oates, Kenny Loggins and other men with big mustaches) with DJs Joey Maserati and Kenny Blogins. Barbary, Frankford and Delaware avenues, 9 p.m. Tuesday, free, www.myspace.com/thenewbarbary.

Turnaround Vs. Immediate Vs. Ten Commandments: An excellent night of reggae, soul and everything in between. Barbary, Frankford and Delaware Avenues, 9 p.m. Wednesday, $10, www.thenewbarbary.com.

Steven Bloodbath & Special Guests: The last hurrah for the popular Philly DJ who is L.A.-bound. M Room, 15 W. Girard Ave., 10 p.m. Wednesday, $10, 215-739-5577, www.themanhattanroom.com.

Ari Hoenig: The drummer returns home after another impossibly busy year, one that included the release of his latest CD, "Bert's Playground." But this time he'll lead a new project, an electric fusion group called the Oscillations Quartet, culled from some of Philly's finest: trumpeter John Swana playing the EWI, bassist Anthony Tidd, and guitarist Tim Motzer. Chris' Jazz Café, 1421 Sansom St., 8, 10 p.m. and midnight tonight, $20, $15 for midnight show, 215-568-3131, www.chrisjazzcafe.com.

Jeff Bradshaw feat. Brass Heaven: "Mr. Trombone" leads a funky, R&B-meets-NOLA ensemble through an always-energetic repertoire. For this weekend, he'll pay tribute to James Brown on the second anniversary of his death. Warmdaddy's, 1400 Columbus Blvd., 8 & 10 p.m. tonight and tomorrow, $15, 215-462-2000, www.warmdaddys.com.