Winda Benedetti

Spokane's Tianna Gregg gives a "Prize" performance on her new CD. Photo by Bob Rice

Come New Year's Eve there'll be hundreds of celebrations to pick from around the Inland Northwest. Dancing. Drinking. Live bands. Whatever your kick, there's something out there. The following is just a taste of your options, just a little something to whet your New Years appetite. For those who love to samba, it'll be a Brazilian New Year's Eve at Hobart's Jazz Lounge in the Cavanaugh's Fourth Avenue Hotel. The nine-piece Brazilian jazz group Desafinado will cap off an evening that includes a Latin dance competition, door prizes and champagne at midnight.

Motherload members' lives have changed, but their music hasn't. Catch them at Ichabod's North tonight.

Puff Daddy and the Family Sunday, Dec. 21, the Arena It was a study in contradictions set to a deep thumping beat. In the span of three-plus hours, the crowd gathered at the Arena for Sunday's hip-hop/rap extravaganza was urged to "make noise" for: Sex Drugs and God While Busta Rhymes rapped in lurid detail about the female anatomy (and I don't mean our hands), Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs lectured the men in the audience to "respect all the women." Lil' Kim spent most of her time on stage next-to-naked, and Rhymes mooned a crowd that was later extolled to remember, "No matter what, God is always by your side."

The elite of the hip hop/rap genre will perform at the Spokane Arena Sunday night. Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs will headline the show, joined by "The Family," which includes Lil' Kim, 112, Mase, Lil' Cease and The L.O.X. Kid Capri starts off the night's performance followed by Usher and Grammynominated rapper Busta Rhymes.

Second Coming is at Outback Jack's tonight with its heavy rock grooves and industrial flourishes. Glass Chunk and Sugar Pig will open.

1. Riding the success of "No Way Out," Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs lands at the Arena for a hip hop/rap blockbuster on Sunday. Photo by Arista Records 2. (photo of Busta Rhymes)

Spokane Symphony and Chorale's Holiday Pops Saturday, Dec. 13, Opera House Dressed in their holiday best, throngs of Spokane Symphony fans turned out Saturday night to be escorted musically into the Christmas season. The symphony, along with the Spokane Symphony Chorale and the Spokane Area Children's Chorus, did not disappoint. From upbeat pop pieces such as "Winter Wonderland" to the haunting "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel," the three groups delivered both high-spirited holiday cheer and solemn Christmas introspection.

The question is not how many times can one hear the song "Deck the Halls" during the Christmas season before one feels more like decking one of Santa's little helpers. The real question is, how many different ways can songs such as "Deck the Halls," "Silent Night," "Silver Bells" and "Joy to the World" possibly be performed and sold on CD before the wellspring of good cheer runs dry? It would appear record company execs everywhere are putting that very question - and our pocketbooks - to the test.

1. A.J. Croce and his band return for the third time to Tubs Cafe in Coeur d'Alene for a three-night stand. 2. Big House is a cool surprise, a country band with a funky blues twist.

Missoula's rambunctious rockers Fireballs of Freedom perform Saturday at Ichabod's.

Sister Maching Gun has moved from an industrial sound to a dark-edged pop.

Tingstad and Rumbel play The Met on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.

Mick Jagger roars with "Satisfaction." Photo by Dan Pelle/The Spokesman-Review

The members of Fur Burger are, from left, Heather Swanstrom, Cyre Par and Char Getchell. They used to practice in Swanstrom's business, 20th Century Trash, which burned earlier this week. Photo by Sandra Bancroft-Billings/The Spokesman-Review

Spotlights silhouette bluesman Robert Cray during a performance earlier this yar in New Hampshire. Cray released his 10th album earlier this year. Photo by Associated Press

Pantera plays Spokane for the second time this year. Photo by Associated Press

Emerson

1. Ellen Whyte was born to sing and play. 2. Don't confuse Baby Alive with that British female pop band.

1. The members of Seven Mary Three, who perform at The Met on Monday, feel a sense of relief with their latest album, "RockCrown." Danny Clinch photo 2. Honeyrods will open for Seven Mary Three. Johnny Buzzerio photo

Barry Manilow

Brace yourself for a night of rock and nostalgia when the Classic Rock All-Stars perform at the Beasley Coliseum in Pullman Saturday. The All-Stars find members of Rare Earth, Sugarloaf, Iron Butterfly, Blues Image and Toto joining forces to bring back the music that rocked the air waves in years past. They are: Peter Rivera - lead singer, drummer and founder of Rare Earth. Jerry Corbetta - lead singer, keyboardist and founder of Sugarloaf. Mike Pinera - singer and guitarist for Blues Image. He also wrote, recorded and toured with Iron Butterfly. Dennis Noda - bass guitarist and musical director for Cannibal and the Headhunters. The Pullman show also includes special guest Bobby Kimball, lead singer and keyboardist for Toto. These guys specialize in playing the big hits from each of the member's once-famous bands. All proceeds from the event are to benefit the Washington State University Cougar athletic program. Hosted by 98.9 KKZX Classic Rock Station, the show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 general admission, available at G&B; Select-A-Seat outlets, or by calling 325-SEAT or (800) 325-SEAT.

Too Slim and the Taildraggers just released their latest album, "Blues for EB."

The band 311 performs in Pullman tonight. Danny Clinch photo