Season's groovings

Hoboken noise-rock trio Yo La Tengo celebrates Hanukkah with eight straight nights of hometown shows, performing sets that honor such noted Jewish composers as Bob Dylan and Lou Reed. Acts from the Blind Boys of Alabama to Clay Aiken will put their own spin on the music of the season in coming weeks, but it's doubtful any of them will match the rowdiness of Marah's annual TLA Christmas show, which takes place tomorrow. Tidings of joy might not seem to jibe with the bar-band grit of the typical Marah song, but guitarist Serge Bielanko says he and his brother, Dave, "have been Christmas freaks since we were little kids." "We're definitely from the old school of gaudy Christmas lights all over the house," Bielanko says. "There's something about Bing Crosby singing 'White Christmas' that just eclipses everybody else's version. More>>