RADIO GA-GA: Kick off the season with a soiree of seasonal sounds from all over the map -- a little Dar Williams here, a little Felice Brothers there, and some Bruce Hornsby for good measure, plus much more -- at the Holiday Cheer gala to benefit indie radio station WFUV at the New York Society for Ethical Culture's swellegant concert hall. 8PM.
WHOA, NELLIE: After much record-label drama, sweet-souled ivories-tinkler Nellie McKay is back with a new album (Obligatory Villagers) on her own label, and she'll be sharing some jazzy, melodic highlights with you at (Le) Poisson Rouge. 7:30PM.
THE JOY OF SAX: Sax god, erstwhile Joni Mitchell backer, and (most famously) Miles Davis sidekick Wayne Shorter just had a milestone birthday, so he's throwing a party for himself at Carnegie Hall (doesn't everyone?) and you're invited. Kinda. At any rate, you can bet Shorter's 75th Birthday Concert will be a singular moment in music. 8PM.
VOLTAGE: New York Theatre Ballet's The Nutcracker presents a short program of excerpts, as the 100,000 lights glazing the Winter Garden's trees make their seasonal debut. A Lighting Ceremony with New York Theatre Ballet's The Nutcracker starts at 6:30PM.
