When we think of Christmas (and with it just a little over a week away, that's almost all we're thinking about at the moment), some things are automatically included in our picture of the holiday. Christmas trees, Santa suits, parties, lights, big meals and time with family all play a part in the season and how we celebrate it. Even the music in the air adds to our holiday cheer as we start hearing Christmas songs as soon as Thanksgiving arrives.

Over time, we all find our own ways to celebrate and the things that help get us in the mood to celebrate and while the season is really about the holiday itself, its meaning and time with family, we can't be faulted if we look forward to certain events more than others. Now that we're in the heart of the season, all of the shows that have become part of the holiday are upon us, with four of them arriving this weekend.

Red Dirt Reindeers

Of course, if you're from Green Country, Red Dirt is a part of life. From the soil to the music, its everywhere you look and Christmas is no different. This Saturday night, Dec. 17, The Red Dirt Rangers celebrate once again at Cain's Ballroom with the 16th annual "Red Dirt Christmas" show.

The lineup for this show almost always rotates with Red Dirt Rangers anchoring the event as its organizer and host. This year's lineup matches the Rangers with No Justice and Mike McClure for a triple bill that Red Dirt fans won't want to miss.

This year's show truly does bring a breath of fresh air as both No Justice and Mike McClure rarely play in Tulsa. No Justice is now based out of Oklahoma and only gets up to Tulsa a few times each year. As good friends of the Rangers, Cooper shared that they have wanted to play this show and the Rangers are happy to finally have them on board.

Holiday Cheer.

Mike McClure may be the surprise of the show to some of the less initiated, but he just might steal the show. With a new album, Fifty Billion, just released on a new label, McClure is out to support the new disc with a band that's firing on all cylinders.

As hosts, Red Dirt Rangers will also play a full set with a few new tunes and all of the standards. Doors for this show open at 7pm and the music starts at 8pm, but you can expect a long night as the Rangers have rented the room so the party can rage on into the night. Tickets are $23 in advance or $27 at the door and just like every year, proceeds will go to charity, with this year's recipient once again being the Red Dirt Relief Fund, which aids Red Dirt Artists with medical and crisis expenses.

Classically Inclined

BOK Center lights up on Friday night, Dec. 16 with not one, but two shows this year by Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO), stopping in Tulsa for the fourth year in a row.

Nearly a dozen years later, TSO has become so popular that it has split into two troupes in order to cover the entire U.S. during the holiday season. The western touring lineup, which will be stopping in Tulsa, once again includes band leader Al Pitrelli with vocalists Andrew Ross, Bart Shatto and Jeff Scott Soto.

Organized as a full scale rock orchestra, marrying electric guitars and strings, TSO will once again present its Christmas themed rock opera with songs culled from a trilogy of platinum selling Christmas CDs.

This year's tour stop includes two shows with tickets ranging from $31 to $59.50, in order to meet varying budgets and reach a wide demographic of fans that have made this part of their annual celebration.

Warmer Vibes

If Red Dirt and classical infused rock aren't your thing, maybe you need to try something different and infuse your Christmas celebration with a little Caribbean vibe. If that's the case, you'll want to check out Peter Mayer as he returns for a second year with his "Stars and Promises" Christmas tour with a stop at Venue 68 (6910 S 101st E. Ave) on Friday night, Dec. 16.

Explore the history and sounds of Peter Mayer with Nicci Atchley's "Measure Of a Man" on Page 33. Tickets are $15 at the door and the show starts at 8pm.

Not So Silent?

Finally, Lord of Life Lutheran Church (12802 S. Memorial Dr., Bixby) presents a not so traditional spin on Christmas for the all-ages metal and hardcore crowd with "A Not So Silent Night" this Saturday, Dec. 17.

This show throws down some serious metal with local acts Far From Sanity, Die to Yourself, Idefy and special guest James Korzelius. Doors open at 5pm for the show and admission is granted with the donation of one new, unwrapped toy as part of a Christmas toy drive for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates). This is the first year for this show, but organizers have high hopes that this will become an annual tradition for the younger set as well.

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