Music critics' picks

The Crystals' house-rocking treatment of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" proved the most lasting smash on "A Christmas Gift for You," the Phil Spector-produced holiday music landmark of the 1960s, newly reissued this season. Also getting lots of love were those naughty but nice treatments of "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus," "Sleigh Ride" and "Frosty the Snowman" as done up by the Ronettes, the pioneering, tough-as-nails female trio fronted by Veronica "Ronnie" Bennett. Ronnie would go on to marry, divorce and famously write about her dangerously disturbed producer. Almost every December, the singer gives her all for the Claus cause in a Ronnie Spector Christmas Party.

World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, $35, 216-222-1400, www.worldcafelive.com.

- Jonathan Takiff

Superdope, a weekly hip-hop party that debuted earlier in the year, has been a breath of fresh air for the city's creative crowd. Held Tuesdays at the Raven Lounge, a big part of the party's appeal (aside from no cover and tons of cheap alcohol), comes from the immensely talented founding trio that keeps things moving. Sharing hosting duties are Vanache, a local producer/rapper and F.A.M.E. One, one of the best b-boys in the city. Philly's own DJ Phsh rounds out the regulars.

Raven Lounge, 1718 Sansom St., 10 p.m. Tuesday, free, 21-plus, 215-840-3577, www.ravenlounge.com.

- James Johnson

On the strength of a single, one of the most buzzed-about indie bands to come out of Philadelphia right now is Cold Cave, started by Wesley Eisold, who traded the guitars from his hard core and noise past in American Nightmare and Some Girls for synthesizers. He joined forces with Xiu Xiu's Caralee McElroy and Dominick Fernow of noise group Prurient and New York record store and label Hospital Productions. Matador records has signed them and reissued "Love Comes Close."

Voyeur, 1221 St. James St., 9 tonight, $2, 215-735-5772, www.igetrvng.com.

- Sara Sherr

Numbering only six members, the Jazz Prophets aren't a big band, but when they muster their forces they certainly manage to sound like one. Credit leader Derrick Gardner, whose trumpet and arranging skills have been wielded in many a large ensemble. The Prophets are anchored by soulful playing and a forceful rhythm section. WRTI DJ Jeff Duperon hosts this performance.

Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz, 736 S. Broad St., 8 and 10:30 p.m. tomorrow, $25, 215-893-9912, www.clefclub.org.

- Shaun Brady

The Philadelphia Orchestra, led by Eugene Ormandy, recorded "The Glorious Sound of Christmas" back in 1962. It remains one of the best-selling seasonal discs after nearly four decades. Seven of those classics, and lots more, will resound in this year's holiday program, led by Assistant Conductor Danail Rachev. The accompanying artists are the choral voices of the Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia, soprano Erin Wall and baritone Matthew Worth. The program also includes gems by Mendelssohn, Mozart, Reger and many carols, plus Humperdinck's heartfelt "Children's Prayer" and the "Dream Pantomime" from "Hansel and Gretel."

Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Broad and Spruce streets, 7 tonight and tomorrow, $34-$105, 215-893-1999, www.philorch.org.

- Tom Di Nardo