THE SHOWDOWN: Crawl inside

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THE SHOWDOWN: Crawl inside

POSTED: Monday, December 13, 2010, 6:00 PM

Filed Under: Music The Showdown

Monday: Unsilent Night is less a holiday concert than it is a happening. An interactive night of "caroling," the gathering will feature the electronic composition by Phil Kline that gives the event its name. The piece won't be performed, per se, but played out of countless boom-boxes as the techno-revelers travel through Center City. There is only a handful of jamboxes to go around, so plan on bringing your own. The piece (in four different randomly-distributed fragments) is available for free download, and will come together in a Christmas Zaireeka of sorts. If you've had enough of the traditional wassailing that comes around this time each year, here's your avant-garde performance art alternative. 6:30 p.m., free, Philadelphia Ethical Society, 1906 S. Rittenhouse Sq., 215-735-3456. Tuesday: The funky, twitchy sounds of Cookie Rabinowitz are sneaky. On the one hand, they're groovy enough to make you want to dance. On the other, there's a sparseness about them that makes it a little tricky to lock into a beat. Leader Julius Curcio also has a fascination with making quirky web videos, though his forte remains the production of fragmented electro-pop. Curcio's deadpan delivery makes it a little tough to tell how seriously he takes this project, but his dedication to the music end is unquestionable. w/ Christie Lenee & Andrea Nardello, 8 p.m., $5, The Grape Room, 105 Grape St., 215-930-0321. Wednesday: Now would be a great time to catch Peter Nero and the Philly Pops for their annual Holiday Pops show. Why? Here are a few reasons: It's right in the middle of the show's run (so they've gotten out any opening day jitters); you're probably not sick of holiday music (not yet, anyway); and, as I've been told, 'tis the season! Nero leads the Pops in a presentation of seasonal favorites, making it a night of festive fun for the whole family. Better act quick, though, because after tonight, there are only four more performances (and nine shopping days) remaining. 8 p.m., $29 - $110, Kimmel Center, 260 S. Broad St., 215-893-1999. Thursday: Local phenom duo Reading Rainbow has a lot to share. Aside from being a couple of darn friendly people, Rob and Sarah have turned their propulsive, garage pop into a nationwide sensation. With a full-length, Prism Eyes, already under their belts for this year, Reading Rainbow have assembled a split 7" (remember those?) with Brooklyn buddies Coasting. Both groups will be playing at this show, which is sure to be a blissy, ear-popping kind of night. Be sure to wish Rob and Sarah the best on their upcoming tour with the Dum Dum Girls, too. w/ Moon Women, 8 p.m., $5 - $10, Danger Danger Gallery, 5013 Baltimore Ave. Friday: Did you know that Philadelphia has its very own instrumental prog/krautrock outfit? Did you know that they're named after a Gary Numan song? Do You Need The Service? (that's the name of the band, not another question) have been a live performing band for about three years now. In that time, the quartet has crafted complex-yet-accessible experiments from a range of jazz and rock influences. Since there aren't any lyrics to distract you, you'll have plenty of time to crawl inside the space-sounds that these fallout four construct. w/ Clamfight & Psalmships, 7:30 p.m., $5, Kung Fu Necktie, Saturday: Once a member of Rockapella (you remember 'Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego?,' right?), Sean Altman has reinvented himself as the un-Kosherest of pop singers. Though this year's Hanukkah is now a memory, there's still time to enjoy the music of Altman's Jewmongous while communally cringing at the sight of all that damned Christmas cheer. Be advised, though: Sean might have won your heart with the theme song to a kids' game show, but this project is decidedly not for the kiddies. 7:30 p.m., $15, Tin Angel, 20 S. 2nd St., 215-928-0770. Sunday: Renaissance is a band that's bound to have an unironic comeback one of these days. Luckily, Annie Haslam remains plenty active in that event. The dramatic, woody sounds of her former band influence this new show of holiday music. "In The Spirit Of The Holidays" finds Haslam joined by a band of regular collaborators, sharing the festivities of Yule, Solstice and all those other under-represented winter celebrations. Even if your humbug reflex is getting itchy lately, Haslam's tremendous voice will melt even the iciest heart. w/ Jann Klose, 7:30 p.m., $35, Sellersville Theater, 24 West Temple Ave., 215-257-5808.

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Featuring everything from event roundups to concert reviews and sex talk, City Paper's Critical Mass is a space for off-the-wall coverage of Philly's A&E scene.

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