Big Gigs: The Twin Cities' best concerts Dec. 20-26

For many years, the Steeles put together one of the Twin Cities' most inspiring holiday shows — complete with attractive outfits, nifty choreography and appearances by their not-surprisingly talented children. There will be no fancy production this year; just those sibling harmonies, J.D. Steele's boundless energy, and the magnificent voices of Jevetta, Jearlyn, Fred, J.D. and Billy rejoicing on Christmas night. No one in Minnesota puts the spirit in holiday music like the Steeles. (8 p.m. Wed., Dakota, $30.) Bream

She's got a new job (morning DJ on Cities 97), a new husband (Vikings long snapper-turned-talk-radio host Mike Morris) and a new self-released, seven-song EP ("Softer Place to Land"). So will her fans experience a new Keri Noble at her annual holiday concert? Will the piano popster be happier? Chattier? Eschew those potent breakup songs that have earned her many female fans? How will such joyful new numbers as "This Ring" and "Dancing in the Morning" go over? All we know for sure is that Noble has some sad, longing, missing-you holiday messages on her first-rate 2011 album "More Than Santa." (8 p.m. Fri., Varsity Theater, $25.) Jon Bream

Rose Ensemble reprises its critically acclaimed program "And Glory Shone Around: An Early American Christmas." This celebration of 300 years of American music — some familiar, much of it not — evokes the warmth of hearth and home with a mix of Shaker hymns, Colonial country dances, Kentucky harmonies and joyful seasonal carols from across North America. (8 p.m. Fri., Nativity Catholic Church, 1900 Wellesley Av., St. Paul; 2 p.m. Sat., Colonial Church of Edina, 6200 Colonial Way, Edina; 8 p.m. Sat., Basilica of St. Mary, 88 N. 17th St., Mpls.; 3 p.m. Sun., Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 12650 Johnny Cake Ridge Road, Apple Valley, $10-$39, 651-225-4340, www.roseensemble.org) William Randall Beard

One of Santa's favorite jazz elves, Debbie Duncan, will reprise favorites from her "It Must Be Christmas" album in a benefit concert. Backed by the excellent Jazz Central house trio (Tanner Taylor, piano; Brian Courage, bass; Mac Santiago, drums), the sassy singer will raise dough for We Care Performing Arts, which organizes summer youth programs for African-American kids. Intimate space, hip music, good cause, reservations required. (8 p.m. Sat., Jazz Central Studios, 407 Central Av. SE., Mpls. $25. 612-729-1799.) Tom Surowicz

Minnesota Chorale offers "Holiday Greetings: A Minnesota Chorale Christmas Card," conducted by artistic director Kathy Saltzman Romey, with the Minneapolis Youth Chorus, the Hennepin Chime bell choir and poet Michael Dennis Browne, presenting readings appropriate to the season. (7:30 p.m. Fri., Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church, 511 Groveland Av., Mpls. Free.) Beard

Still ensconced at the Flamingo in Las Vegas, Donny and Marie Osmond are spending this month on tour. Hard to believe Donny has released 59 albums, starred in more than 2,000 performances of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" and won "Dancing With the Stars" in 2009. Hard to believe Marie has a line of dolls, a gig as spokesperson for Nutrisystem and a third-place trophy for "Dancing With the Stars" in 2007. Put them together for Christmas, and it'll be a little bit holiday and a little bit hits — and lots of big smiles, onstage and in the audience. (7:30 p.m. Sat., Target Center, $49.50-$125.) Bream

New York jazz thrush Karrin Allyson, named rising star as a female vocalist in Downbeat's Critics Poll, gets a little melancholy and moody on her first holiday collection, the self-released "Yuletide Hideaway." Her premise is that Christmas is a place in our hearts and mind, not merely a holiday. She chooses cool obscurities in Dave Frishberg's "Snowbound" and Bill Evans' "It's Love, It's Christmas," darkens such standbys as "Winter Wonderland" and "Let It Snow," and sparkles on two originals by her bandmates, "Christmas Bells Are Ringing" and "You're All I Need for Christmas." (7 p.m. Sun.-Mon., Dakota Jazz Club, $35.) Bream

Poison frontman and "Rock My RV" TV host Bret Michaels somehow went from playing South America last week to the Midwest tundra this week on his so-called Life Rocks Tour, featuring his solo band — which mostly plays songs by his other band and other people's bands. The tour shares a name with his new foundation, serving a variety of causes including diabetes services and Wounded Warriors. That's a lot better than naming it after his new brand of cologne, Roses & Thorns. Nope, not making that up. (7:30 p.m. Fri., Myth, all ages, $25.) Riemenschneider

Even after he relocated to Nashville in 1985, Michael Johnson always did a Twin Cities Christmastime show. Last year, the singer/guitarist moved back to the Twin Cities because he signed with St. Paul-based Red House Records, fell for a Minnesota woman and discovered a long-lost daughter here. He recently joined the faculty at McNally Smith College of Music. Thus, he might spin a few yarns about his hits "Bluer Than Blue" and "Give Me Wings," or even the new material on last year's commendable album, "Moonlit Deja Vu." (8 p.m. Sat., Cedar Cultural Center, $22-$25.) Bream

Even when they packed First Ave back in April for the release of their "Spirit of Minneapolis" album, the 4onthefloor proved their live shows would be as rowdy and fun as ever, even though the record offered a darker, muddier brew. The Twin Cities' hardest-kicking rock band returns to the club at year's end with some new songs and planned festivities, including a "Free Fallin' " sing-along with the All Tomorrow's Petty tribute band and more opening sets by Communist Daughter and American Scarecrows. (9 p.m. Sat., First Avenue, $13.) Riemenschneider

It certainly won't be a "Silent Night," but it should be a garage rock/punk hullabaloo of hurricane strength when the Silverteens stage their five-band Christmas extravaganza. Headliners Man Sized Action will perform their 1984 LP "Five Story Garage" in its entirety. Co-stars the Mighty Mofos make an all-too-rare appearance while the Silverteens themselves smartly take the middle set — hey, some old fans gotta get to bed at a reasonable hour. The Grande Machine and Clock Eater complete the loud and lively lineup. (7:30 p.m. Sat., Minneapolis Eagles Club.) Surowicz

While the Gentiles are away, the Jews will play: Jewbilee 2013 once again keeps the Entry bar lights on for Christmas Eve with Prince & the Revolution drummer Bobby Z and his family band the Rivkinz, featuring his three sons and one nephew. This year, they're bringing back Temple Israel Rabbi Sim Glaser and the Sons of Moses, plus comedians Dan Mogol, Dave Harris, Gus Lynch, Laura Thorne and Pat Susmich. Yarmulkes are optional. (9 p.m. Tue., 7th Street Entry, $3.) Riemenschneider

Born in the basement of Java Jack's with a BYOB policy, the Mad Ripple Hootenanny is a weekly gig again with a permanent home where you'd be foolish to bring outside beer even if you could. Harriet Brewing will welcome the round-robin songwriters pull to its cool, Bohemian-garage-like taproom. On the day after Christmas, ringleader Jim Walsh will celebrate the birthday of VIP local music lover Allison Locey with songs from Dan Israel, Ashleigh Still (Fathom Lane), James Loney, Terry Walsh (Belfast Cowboys), Brian Drake (Hard Left), Eliza Blue, Paul Odegaard and more. (5:30-8:30 p.m. Thu., Harriet Brewing, 3036 Minnehaha Av. S., Mpls., free.) Riemenschneider

Going out with a bang, not a whimper, the Artists' Quarter presents a double-headliner weekend with old pals Eric Alexander (tenor sax) and David Hazeltine (piano) joining forces in an ad hoc quartet. Both longtime AQ favorites, they are a couple of the more esteemed, incendiary players in New York City today. Bluesy straight-ahead post-bop doesn't get much better. (9 p.m. Fri.-Sat., Artists' Quarter.) Surowicz

Nova Contemporary Jazz Orchestra, the most ambitious big band in town, once again invades the beautiful and sonically stellar St. James Lutheran Church for a combination holiday show and album-release party. Nova's "An Odd Christmas" still sounds mighty swingin' and fresh every year, and they'll offset the seasonal selections with tracks from the new "Concerto Nova and Other Works of W.A. Mathieu." Bill Mathieu famously wrote amazing arrangements for Stan Kenton's band and the Duke Ellington Orchestra decades ago, and now he's crafted vital, terrific new music for Nova. Bandleader Mike Krikava and his 18-piece ensemble couldn't be prouder, and this free afternoon concert will show you why. (4 p.m. Sun., 460 W. Annapolis St., West St. Paul.) Surowicz

There's a new twist to the Bad Plus' annual late-December residency at the Dakota. Besides playing old favorites, disarming rock covers and songs from the recent electrified "Made Possible" CD, the jazz power trio will tackle and transform Stravinsky's classic "Rite of Spring" at their final night's shows. Gotta love the audacity. (7 & 9 p.m. Thu.-Dec. 29, Dakota Jazz Club, $40.) Surowicz