It’s time to rock that gloriously ugly Christmas sweater you scored at Savers last summer, y’all. The second annual Ugly Xmas Sweater Party happens at Low Spirits (2823 Second Street NW) on Friday, Dec. 13. This 21-and-over rockabilly fête gets a live soundtrack courtesy of Mr. Right and the Leftovers, The Shadow Men and Shit Outta Luck. Plus La Loca Magazine will release its 2014 pin-up calendar and collect toys for tots. This hot mess revs up at 9pm, and $7 gets you in. And Sister (407 Central NW) hosts the Funky Sweater Get Down! on Friday evening, too. That party features Felonious Groove, Zack Freeman, DJ Flo Fader and Peanut Butter Johnson. Get up with the 21-plus get-down starting at 9pm. Admission is 10 bucks.
Four Up Milk Of The Machine
Milch de la Máquina
Courtesy of artist
Female performance art crew Milch de la Máquina will be 20 members strong when it conjures up a truly one-of-a-kind event on Saturday, Dec. 14, at The Kosmos (1715 Fifth Street NW). Milch was founded in early 2009, and the group’s 2013 membership includes four former Alibi editors: Amy Dalness, Marisa Demarco, Laura Marrich and Margaret Wright. Other than time and place, Milch isn’t releasing many details about their annual set. By attending, you become part of a select group of individuals who will experience a unique cultural phenomenon. Steeped in puppetry, vocal noise, electronics, string instruments and movement, whatever Milch has up their collective sleeve is bound to challenge and inspire. ABQ supergroup Fando and jazz-punk outfit The Happiness of Lovemaking open this all-ages happening. The doors swing wide at 7pm, and tickets are $5.
Four Up Surrealist Melancholia
Matthew Rohde
Courtesy of artist
In you’re hankering for a guitar and vox-centric classical concert, you’re in luck. Chatter presents Homage to Benjamin Britten on Sunday, Dec. 15. Soprano Ingela Onstad and guitarist Matthew Rohde perform Joaquin Turina’s "Fandanguillo," John Dowland’s "Four Songs" and Benjamin Britten’s "Song Cycle for High Voice and Guitar, Opus 58" and "Nocturnal after John Dowland, Opus 70." The finale, “Nocturnal after John Dowland, Opus 70,” came to Britten in dreams, and this inspired work transmutes melancholy into forward-thinking avant-garde composition. Award-winning Nuevo Mexicano author Demetria Martinez contributes literary goodness. Revel in the beauty of melancholia starting at 10:30am, but get there early for gratis espresso. General admission is $15, but students and those under 30 get in for $9. Add children to your entourage for five bucks per kid.
Four Up Crushworthy Noise-Punk
Perfect Pussy vocalist Meredith Graves
Samantha Marble
When I hear about a band named “Perfect Pussy,” I either expect the group to utterly rock or to confirm my misanthropic musings about humanity. Fronted by loudmouthed pixie Meredith Graves, this Syracuse-based fivesome delivers pop and rock-tinged noise-punk. Just last week, wunderkind label Captured Tracks signed Perfect Pussy, and that vote of confidence bodes well for the upstart quintet. The band self-released their demo EP, I Have Lost All Desire for Feeling, in April 2013, and its four tracks reveal an intensity and drama that’s absent from many a punk or noise band. See and hear Perfect Pussy at Launchpad (618 Central SW) on Monday, Dec. 16. Punk rockers aged 13 and over can commence swooning at 8pm. Presale tickets are $8.
