Rupert Wates performs Friday at Wussow's Concert Cafe.

Christmas Belles Dec. 7-10, 13, 15-17 Encore Performing Arts, Cloquet. A church Christmas program in Texas spins out of control in this Southern farce about squabbling sisters, family secrets, a surly Santa, a vengeful sheep and a reluctant Elvis impersonator.  

Superior Singers Dec. 7, 8, 12, 16, 17 Multiple locations. Founded in 1991, the Superior Singers started as a group of teachers performing for their students and blossomed into a community choir performing free concerts throughout the Twin Ports. This year’s holiday series features jazz vocal renditions of Christmas favorites.  

Rupert Wates Friday, Dec. 8, 7 p.m. Wussow’s. London-born, Oxford-trained, New York-based musician has won more than 50 songwriting and performing awards and plays a mix of acoustic melodic art/folk with flavors of jazz, vaudeville and cabaret. With Blake Thomas.  

James Patrick Friday, Dec. 8, 9 p.m. The Burg. Sound artist, producer and educator from Minneapolis who has created original electronic music since the 1990s performs an extended drum and bass set. With Dyami Shaman and Genome, both from Duluth.  

Waldemar Saturday, Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m. Duluth Cider. Heartland indie rock (think The War on Drugs and The National with a dash of Willie Nelson) from Eau Claire, combines soaring vocals with a dense backdrop of sweeping guitar tapestries and synth textures. With Superior Siren.  

Handel’s Messiah Singalong Tuesday, Dec. 12, 7:30 p.m. St. Scholastica Mitchell Auditorium. Dust off those vocal cords and The Messiah score (or buy or borrow one at the door) for an evening of joyful noise with the Borealis Chamber Artists chorus, orchestra and soloists leading from the stage and the CSS Choral Ensembles helping from the audience.   

A Kickin' Country Christmas Thursday, Dec. 14, 7 p.m. The West Theatre. A guaranteed good time for all as the premier country music outfit Mason Dixon Line plays a family-friendly concert, armed with a stable of Christmas classics and favorites.