Holiday Hours

By Scott Smith in Arts & Entertainment on Dec 23, 2004 6:07PM

Did anyone else catch Dennis DeYoung and Billy Corgan singing Christmas carols on WGN this morning? Wow. It was…a little awkward. While both are talented in their own right, they’re not exactly born to duet with each other as DeYoung’s vibrato drowned out the less robust vocal stylings of Corgan. But if two of the biggest egos in Chicago rock are able to peacefully coexist in the same studio then yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.

Since Christmas falls on a weekend this year, there are going to be many uncharacteristically quiet Saturday nights at most venues around town. So this might be the perfect time to cozy up to the old guy at the end of the bar who’s always reading Nelson Algren at your favorite tap room. Or you could do something less depressing. Like:

Bang your head: You can mock cover bands and hair metal all you want but there is a universality to Bon Jovi’s Slippery When Wet and Def Leppard’s Hysteria that cannot be denied. Booking local band Hairbanger’s Ball to play Joe’s on Weed St. on Christmas walks that fine line between stupid and clever but there’s bound to be a certain cathartic thrill to hoisting a PBR to the sounds of G n’R after dealing with your family’s BS all day. 10 PM/21+/$10

Boogie down: More local music as Roy Davis Jr. and Derrick Carter will be among the many hometown DJs spinning at the annual Boogie Down Christmas 6. The upstairs show at Metro is 18+ while it’s 21+ downstairs at SmartBar. Tickets are $21 in advance or $26 at the door and give you access to both events though you can get into SmartBar alone for $10 before midnight and $15 after.

Chill out: Since we’re broke, Empty Bottle’s no-cover Everything ISN’T Closed On Christmas party has quite the allure. Plus, it’s a much more relaxed atmosphere for escaping the din of the holiday. Last year’s event had about fifty people so it’s also a good place to meet the person you’ll be kissing on New Year’s. Kick back and enjoy DJs, short films and surprise musical guests starting at 9 PM.