The holidays are upon us—the time of the year when you think about what you can give someone, but maybe you should think about treating yourself, too.
Next Thursday, Dec. 18, Paso Robles-based vocalist and pianist Dawn Lambeth will be joining The Robert Alberts Quintet for an evening of jazz standards, swing, cha-chas, and bossa novas at the Madonna Inn (7 to 10 p.m.; all ages; free, but reservations are suggested if you’re planning on dining).
“If you’ve never been to the Madonna Inn in December, it’s the ultimate ‘Holiday Inn’ and so fun to see at the holidays!” Lambeth wrote in an email.
The players are first rate. In addition to Alberts on trumpet, you’ll hear Karl Welz on saxophone, Dylan Johnson on bass, and Darrell Voss on drums. And Lambeth is sonic heaven—a truly wonderful voice and a retro vibe that brings warm nostalgic feelings of a simpler, classier time.
Lambeth also has a terrific CD of jazz tunes she’s promoting called I Get Ideas, a title lifted from the Julio César Sanders and Dorcas Cochran song—one of nine included on the album. Some are well known such as Cole Porter’s “I Love You,” while others are lesser-known gems.
“When I perform live, I always try to include songs people know and love alongside hidden treasures I’ve discovered,” Lambeth explained in press materials. “My hope is to introduce listeners to new favorites while honoring the rich legacy of the swing era.”
Go on, splurge on yourself. Get a craft cocktail, a nice steak, listen to some jazz, and buy a few of Lambeth’s CDs as stocking stuffers.
“On Saturday, Dec. 13, I’ll be at Pear Valley from 1 to 4 p.m., singing holiday tunes and other favorites,” Lambeth added.
Her CD is also available locally at Boo Boo Records in SLO and Traffic Records in A-Town, as well as at dawnlambeth.com, bandcamp.com, and through streaming services Spotify and Apple Music.
The Siren’s call
Morro Bay’s hottest night club has a full slate for you this week starting with Aaron Golay and the Original Sin on Friday, Dec. 12 (7 p.m.; 21-and-older; $15.30 at tixr.com). They blend Americana, roots, rock, and soul to “make every song a story you’ll immediately remember,” their bio says. Golay’s “big soulful voice creates a familiar yet unique framework for his lyrics to deliver memorable tales of hell-raising, sorrow, and raw emotion.” Jackson and The Janks open.
The Bill Stapely Band plays a free matinee show on Saturday, Dec. 13 (2 to 5 p.m.; 21-and-older). The sextet plays classic rock covers from artists such as the Beatles, Stones, Petty, Credence Clearwater, Carl Perkins, Byrds, Dylan, Marshall Tucker, Neil Young, David Crosby, Bonnie Raitt, John Prine, Led Zeppelin, and Stevie Ray Vaughn, among others. I’ve been assured there will be sufficient cowbell.
Hot off their Readers’ Choice win and third place win in the Open category of the New Times Music Awards for their song “Unchain Your Buddha” comes The Loving Mosh on Saturday, Dec. 13 (8 p.m.; 21-and-older; $15.30 at tixr.com).
“I recently started a band called The Loving Mosh,” Roberto Monge explained. “Much to my surprise, people seem to love it. I had bands back in high school and college, but I gave it all up for a paying career, family, and travel. I’m so stoked that we got Readers’ Choice for our theme song ‘Unchain Your Buddha.’ We’re celebrating our win with my good friend Vince Cimo.”
Vince Cimo’s Hot Fire opens Saturday’s show. His band “blends modern funk with elements of electronic music for a unique live experience,” according to their bio. “With a solid foundation of bass and drums, alongside a horn section featuring two saxophones and a trumpet, the group creates grooves that are both deep and danceable.”
Should be a memorable night of local music.
Finally at The Siren, funky electronic dance music awaits when Good Medicine and Numbskull present SunSquabi on Wednesday, Dec. 17 (7 p.m.; 21-and-older; $26.99 at goodmedicinepresents.com). The group’s garnered millions of streams and played a high-energy performance at Red Rocks Amphitheatre.
5AM opens. They recently released their debut album, Esoterra, which was seven years in the making.
Hitmakers and Christmas shakers
At SLO’s Fremont Theater, Good Vibez starts their week with Richard Marx and Matt Scannell on Friday, Dec. 12 (doors at 7, show at 8 p.m.; all ages; $50.44 to $122.54 at prekindle.com). Both these singer-songwriters have a lot of achievements under their belts.
Marx has sold more than 30 million albums. His 1987 self-titled debut garnered four Top 5 singles, including “Hold on to the Nights” and “Don’t Mean Nothing,” which earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance.
Scannell is the songwriter and lead singer/guitarist of Vertical Horizon. He’s written seven hit singles, including “Everything You Want,” which reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and was the most-played song of the year 2000.
Also at the Fremont, get in the spirit with O’Night Devine: A Sixpence Christmas with Sixpence None the Richer on Saturday, Dec. 13 (doors at 7, show at 8 p.m.; all ages; $33.96 to $58.68 at prekindle.com). Expect a two-set family-friendly evening of Christmas classics.
Independent
SLO Brew Live and (((folkYEAH!))) present Marlon Funaki at Rod & Hammer Rock on Friday, Dec. 12 (doors at 7 p.m.; 18-and-older; $27.21 at ticketweb.com). The solo artist combines alt-rock with psychedelic and jazz-influenced guitar. “His Japanese and Mexican American heritage gives him a unique perspective and plays a meaningful role in inspiring his music,” according to his bio.
Another indie artist playing at Rod & Hammer this week is Electric Guest on Saturday, Dec. 13 (doors at 7 p.m.; 18-and-older; $39.05 at ticketweb.com). Singer-songwriter Asa Taccone joined with drummer Matthew “Cornbread” Compton to form the duo that recently released their first record since 2019, 10K, a shimmering 12-song pop soundscape.
Philly soul act Snacktime opens the show. They recently released a super cool stripped-down version of their song “Enough,” and they also covered The Beach Boys’ “God Only Knows,” which is amazing!
Felíz Navidad
The Christmas Mariachi Festival featuring Mariachi Plata de Western New Mexico University comes to the Clark Center on Sunday, Dec. 14 (6 p.m.; all ages; $34 to $65.50 at clarkcenter.org). Expect “an evening of Christmas posada, carols, songs, actors, and folkloric ballet,” organizers announced. “This group of young maestros who love mariachi music has toured throughout the United States and Mexico, participating in major festivals including De Tecalitlan Los Sones in Jalisco, Mexico, where they were named ‘Festival Favorite.’”
A cappella and more mariachi
Cal Poly Arts presents two shows this week. See Kings Return at the Performing Arts Center on Monday, Dec. 15 (7:30 p.m.; all ages; $38 to $49 at calpolyarts.org). This a cappella quartet creates incredible lush vocal harmonies as they sing their mix of gospel, jazz, and R&B. For this show, the Dallas-based group will bring fresh takes to holiday classics. If you like Take 6 and Boyz II Men, you’ll dig ’em.
Credit: PHOTO COURTESY OF CAL POLY ARTS
Campana Sobre Campana: Christmas in Mexico! comes to the Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, Dec. 17 (7:30 p.m.; all ages; $39 to $59 at calpolyarts.org). Featuring Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar and Ballet Folklórico del Rio Grande, celebrate the holidays Mexico style.
All that jazz
Basin Street Regulars Hot Jazz Club presents their annual holiday party this Sunday, Dec. 14, at the Pismo Vets Hall starting with an 11 a.m. jam followed by opening act Brad Lusk (vibes) and ending with the Riptide Big Band. Tickets are $10 for members or $15 for non-members, and if you want a catered meal from Burgers and More (chicken or eggplant parmesan, green salad with vinaigrette, garlic butter angel hair pasta, and rolls), it’s $25 at my805tix.com.
The Jazz Vespers Concert Series at SLO’s First Presbyterian Church returns with their ninth annual Christmas Jazz Vespers featuring the Dave Becker Quartet with a special guest appearance by Kathryn Loomis on vocals on Sunday, Dec. 14 (doors at 6:30, show 7 p.m.; $30 recommended donation at my805tix.com that goes to The SLO Noor Foundation Health Clinics, a local nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide high quality health care to uninsured adults in our community).
The Paso Robles High School Music Department presents its annual Winter Concert, featuring the PRHS Forte Choir, Jazz and Concert Bands, the Crimson Collective Singers, and special guest Bold as Brass quintet, on Thursday, Dec. 18, at the recently improved Templeton Performing Arts Center (two shows at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.).
Ladyfest returns
“After a nine-year hiatus, the feminine-celebrating music festival, Ladyfest, in collaboration with The Feminine Collective, returns to Niffy’s Merrimaker in Los Osos with a stacked lineup of 29 Central Coast and West Coast musicians,” organizer Che Chiavaroli of the rock act Hot Tina announced. “Performances range from shared songs to full band sets, spanning folk, Americana, jazz, rock, alternative, and electronic from 2 p.m. to 1 a.m. This 21-and-older event also debuts battles in which eight Central Coast powerhouses compete—up to three rounds—until a Ladyfest ’25 Winner is crowned at the end of the night.”
Ladies for the win on Saturday, Dec. 13! Look up the event on Facebook to see the full lineup.
Christmas joy
The SLO Wind Orchestra presents The Joyful Sounds of Christmas at the Cuesta College Performing Arts Center on Saturday, Dec. 13 (3 p.m.; all ages; $10 to $32, with kids under 11 free at slowinds.com). Expect an array of holiday classics and seasonal favorites. The SLO Wind Orchestra is a volunteer-based ensemble with a repertoire ranging from classical masterpieces to contemporary works. ∆
Contact Arts Editor Glen Starkey at gstarkey@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in Dec 11-18, 2025.