The Big Gigs for the week of 12/23

POP/ROCK

One of the local bands whose star was a shoo-in to get repainted on First Ave's walls this past summer -- even if today's average Current listener doesn't know 'em from Jesus Jones -- Arcwelder will again blow back into the Turf Club for its annual reunion show. The bombastic power trio recorded for Chicago's revered noise-punk label Touch & Go in the mid-'90s (alongside the era's far better messianic band, the Jesus Lizard). But it was sidelined during the '00s and only returns sporadically, including an '08 tour with Steve Albini's band Shellac. Keep your earplugs in all night for this one: Red Pens and Safewords open. (10 p.m. Fri., Turf Club. $8.) Chris Riemenschneider

The Twin Cities' hottest new tribute band, Kinda Kinky is pulling out all the stops for this week's "A Very Kinky Kristmas and Happy HanuKKah and Kinky Kwanzaa" extravaganza. They've invited special guests galore, including Curtiss A, Dave Russ, David Beckey, Julian West, Gini Dodds, Kiki Lane, Stephanie Winter and Rebecca Scott-West -- everybody but Chrissie Hynde and Paul Weller, though they'll be represented via the Kinks klassics that they kovered. Father Christmas requests you bring a canned good for the Second Harvest food shelf folks -- you'll get $2 off the cover charge. (8 p.m. Fri., Minneapolis Eagles Club, $5.) Tom Surowicz

Not that 7th Street Entry is bulging with steadfast Christians every other night of the year, but the sixth annual Jewbilee! celebration takes advantage of it being the one night Jewish clubgoers might have the place to themselves. The true mixer features music by the Honeydogs' Adam Levy, turntablist Mike 2600, hip-hop duo Kids Like Us, Rabbi Jon Davis' Klezmer Orchestra and Kin, a band with Revolution-era Prince drummer Bobby Z. Comedians, including TV vet David Harris, also perform. Speaking of goodwill to men, it all benefits the Northside Community Reinvestment Coalition and other nonprofits. (9:30 p.m. Sat., 7th Street Entry. $3. 18 & older.) Riemenschneider

For as long as anyone can remember (not too far back in this case), the Triple Rock's answer to the Christmas blues has been to get Pink Mink co-leader Arzu Gokcen to host Staraoke, her hip and intoxicating spin on karaoke. Her deep and guilty-pleasure-filled arsenal of tracks ranges from holiday tunes to cheesy pop to (best of all) metal and punk songs good for screaming off holiday stress. We wouldn't normally plug a karaoke show, but this one is more of a true rock 'n' roll show. Or at least it out-rocks your other entertainment options on Christmas night. (9 p.m. Sun., Triple Rock. 21 & older. Free.) Riemenschneider

A Michael Johnson post-Christmas show has been a Twin Cities tradition since he lived here back in the 1970s. The "Bluer Than Blue" hitmaker won't give you "Blue Christmas," but he will serve up warm vocals, nifty classical-informed guitar and a lite-FM catalog that includes "Almost Like Being in Love," "This Night Won't Last Forever" and the country chart-topper "The Moon Is Still Over Her Shoulder." (7 p.m. Wed., Dakota Jazz Club, $25.) Jon Bream

Two classic punk bands that played more road shows this year than 90 percent of the acts in town, Dear Landlord and Banner Pilot are wrapping up '11 together at home. Each group's lineage can be traced back to early-'00s favorite Rivethead, and Dear Landlord's main dude Zack Gontard has also played guitar in Off With Their Heads. Banner Pilot just issued its third album, "Heart Beats Pacific," on Fat Wreck Chords, a mighty blast of snarly guitars with sharp, Descendents-like hooks. Also performing are the Slow Death, led by Jesse "Pretty Boy" Thorson, and the Dirty Hits. (9 p.m. Wed., Triple Rock. $10.) Riemenschneider

Rain and wind derailed Daughtry's show in July at the new Mystic Lake amphitheater. The payback is that "American Idol" alum Chris Daughtry's band is not only playing indoors at a more intimate venue but they've since released a new album. Last month's "Break the Spell," the group's third disc, bristles with radio rockers like the roaring first single "Renegade." But this album, which has its share of overcooked mid-tempo tunes and ballads, arrives at a time when radio is less receptive to rock. At least "Spell" gives Daughtry more material for the stage, so they no longer will have to pad the set with covers of Phil Collins and Billy Idol. (7:30 p.m. Thu., Mystic Lake Casino, $59-$79.) Bream

JAZZ

A former Twin Cities child prodigy, jazz pianist Paris Strother earned a scholarship to the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, and has gone on to work for the Monterey Jazz Festival and the Thelonious Monk Institute. A versatile player who's also comfortable in R&B, pop and hip-hop settings, she has done studio work for Jill Scott, Linda Ronstadt, the late Phoebe Snow and DJ Khalil, and she was a hit accompanying Patti LaBelle at the funky diva's 66th birthday bash. Strother lives in California and tours the globe, but there's no place like home for the holidays, right? (7 p.m. Tue., Dakota, $12.) Surowicz