Maybe this year, Lure's stocking will be stuffed with a renewed sense of dignity.

Wednesday night, Giant Sand frontperson Howe Gelb plays at the library. Though born in Tucson, his Ottawa connections are extensive, as dial613 has discussed previously. You really should start paying attention.

Thursday, The Fully Down, the biggest Ottawa band in all of Japan, pop some punks at Maverick's in an all-local line-up, including the recently reannointed Travel By Owl (ex-The Architects). It's all ages, so make sure to have your condescending glares handy.

And the yuletide highlight of the week is brought to you courtesy of wetsuit-loving local band Lure, who will play all sorts of carols at a Barrymore's Xmas Xtravaganza (or Christmas Christravaganza, for all you purists out there). They'll have some friends from around town on hand to help party it up, like Ana Miura and Amanda Rheaume, but most importantly, Santa and his elves will be there (not to mention the grinch and some guy named Anti-Claus).
Best of all, you can be a good person at the same time, as donations of canned food (for the Ottawa Food Bank) and winter clothes (for The Snowsuit Fund) will be being taken in exchange for $2 off cover. So go for it; rumour has it you'll get to watch yourself some Charlie Brown too.

Where will you be this week?

12.20.06
Howe Gelb at The National Library
-->Howe Gelb - But I Did Not (website, myspace)
-->Howe Gelb - Nail In The Sky

12.21.06
The Fully Down* w/ Travel By Owl*, No Other Way*, Red October*, at Maverick's
-->Travel By Owl - I Am Listening So Close (myspace)

12.22.06
Lure* (Stuff Some Rockin' In Yer Stockin' Xmas Party) with special guests, at Barrymore's

12.23.06
The Watters Brothers* (CD release) with Jacquie In The Kitchen* and Dave Norris*, at Zaphod's

* denotes local act