Family-friendly holiday music with Charles Lazarus and Katie McMahon

Thursday & Sunday: Minnesota Orchestra trumpeter Charles Lazarus creates his own big band for two shows this week. Lazarus will bring vocalists Bruce Henry and Tonia Hughes, keyboard wizard Tommy Barbarella, bass player Jeff Bailey, percussionist David Schmalenberger and the Lazarus Brass. Lazarus did one show last year and oversold Wayzata Community Church, so the ensemble has added a second concert at St. Joan of Arc in Minneapolis. The music ranges from Latin to gospel, with lots of brassy, jazz stylings. (7 p.m. Thu. at Wayzata Community Church, 125 Wayzata Blvd. E., Wayzata; 7 p.m. Sun. at St. Joan's, 4537 3rd Av. S., Mpls. $15-$20, under 6 free. charleslazarus.com)Graydon Royce

Friday: Irish singer Katie McMahon was on tour with "Riverdance" in 2000 when she met her future husband backstage at the Orpheum in Minneapolis. Now she annually puts on a family-friendly show of traditional Celtic carols, stories and dance. McMahon will be joined by the Minnesota Boychoir, the Orange Mighty Trio (led by fiddler Zack Kline) and the Corda Mor Irish Dancers. McMahon has a sweet soprano lilt in her voice that is utterly charming. (7:30 p.m. Fri., the O'Shaughnessy, 2004 Randolph Av., St. Paul. $10-$27. 651-690-6700 or www.oshag.stkate.edu)G.R.