A taste of Austin's live music scene during this holiday season

Not all of these shows have something to do with the holidays. In fact, many of them do not. But all of them are great places to take friends and family who want a taste of Austin's singular live music scene during this holiday season.

— Joe Gross

SATURDAY

Acknowledge Me DIY Fest. This event brings together Austin's crafters, artists, social justice groups and bands. Check out zines, vegan food and bands including the Golden Boys, When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth, Pataphysics and more. This is also a clothing and consumables drive for Austin's homeless population. Cover is $6, $5 with donation. Mohawk, 912 Red River St. 482-8404.

Dec. 11

'101X Indpendent Workforce X-Mas Show.' With Ting Tings, Black Kids, Eagles Of Death Metal, Airborne Toxic Event and the Black and White Years. Benefits Habitat for Humanity. 8 p.m. $25. Emo's. 603 Red River St. 477-3667.

The Kelly Willis and Bruce Robison Holiday Show. The fifth annual Kelly 'n' Bruce holiday show will likely feature all sorts of standards ('Santa Baby,' 'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,' 'Baby, It's Cold Outside') as well as tunes such as 'Santa Looked A Lot Like Daddy' and Robison's 'Oklahoma Christmas.' 6 p.m. $25, $38. Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Ave. 472-5470.

Dec. 12-24

Armadillo Christmas Bazaar. This craft fair features different acts every day and night. Highlights include Del Castillo (9 p.m. Dec. 12), Eliza Gilkyson (8 p.m. Dec. 13), Suzanna Choffel (12:30 p.m. Dec. 15), the Gourds (8 p.m. Dec. 17), Carolyn Wonderland (3:30 p.m. Dec. 20) and the Biscuit Brothers (12:30 p.m. Dec. 22). Austin Convention Center, 500 E. Cesar Chavez St. $6 evenings and weekends, $3 weekdays before 7 p.m. 447-1605, www.armadillobazaar.com.

Dec. 13

Hate Eternal/Job for a Cowboy. Because nothing says 'Bah humbug' like a couple of sets of precisely played, totally vicious death metal. 5 p.m. $13. Red 7. 611 E. Seventh St. 476-8100.

And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead, Glorium. Rumor has it that Trail of Dead is a duo or trio at this show and Glorium will perform their album 'Close Your Eyes' song to song. With Those Peabodys, Ume and more. 9 p.m. $10. Red 7. 611 E. Seventh St. 476-8100.

Dec.15

The Red 7 and Mohawk Xmas Party & Blanket Drive. With Camp X-Ray, Scott Reynolds & the Steaming Beast, ABBA cover band STABBA. $5 or free with blanket donation. Red 7. 611 E. Seventh St. 476-8100.

Dec.17

Christmas with Aaron Neville and His Quintet. Aaron, he of the butter-smooth voice, is joined by his brother Charles acting as musical director. Wouldn't be all that surprised if their brother Cyril shows up as well. 7 p.m. $30-$56. Paramount Theatre. 713 Congress Ave. 472-5470.

Dec. 19

Bob Schneider. This Austin fave will record his live DVD at this show. Expect highlights from all over his career. 7 p.m. $22-$43. Paramount Theatre. 713 Congress Ave. 472-5470.

Dec. 27

Old 97's. After Christmas, get your fill of alternative country rock. With the Drams. 8 p.m. $21 advance, $23 day of show. La Zona Rosa. 612 W. Fourth St. 472-2293.

Gary Clark, Jr./Bavu Blakes. A nice genre mash-up courtesy of Matt Sonzala at AustinSurreal.com. Clark plays the blues, Blakes spits the rhymes (in separate sets, then together) and King Coffey (Butthole Surfers drummer) and Lord Fyre spin soul records in between. 9 p.m. $10. Antone's. 213 W. Fifth St. 320-8424.

Dec. 31

Black Joe Lewis, Hacienda. Funk and blues and rock 'n' roll. Tickets include buffet and champagne toast. 9 p.m. $30 to $35. Stubb's. 801 Red River St. 480-8341.

Erotic City Comes Alive II. All Prince, all the time. With funk band Foot Patrol and DJ Mahealani. $15 advance, $20 door. Benefiting the SIMS Foundation. Scoot Inn. 1308 E. Fourth St. 320-0094.

Flamingo Cantina's Annual Reggae Ball. With Grimy Styles and the Mau Mau Chaplains. 9 p.m. $15 advance, $20 door. Flamingo Cantina. 515 E. Sixth St. 494-9336.

Jon Dee Graham and James McMurtry. Graham at 10:30 p.m. McMurtry at midnight, just like many, many other Wednesday night gigs of theirs. 9 p.m. doors. $20. Continental Club. 1315 S. Congress Ave. 441-2444.

The Eggmen. They play two shows. One show for families at 4 p.m. $8 adults, $5 kids. Later that night, they play for the adults. Doors at 9 p.m. $20 advance, $25 door. Jovita's. 1619 S. First St. 447-7825.