We got your weekend: Theatre, concerts and…elves?

Friday / Shane’s Shout out: Walter “Wolfman” Washington’s 70th Birthday Blowout — Maple Leaf Bar, 10 PM

Walter “Wolfman” Washington is, hands down, one of the best blues/funk/soul guitarists in the city, and his weekly residencies at d.b.a., Bayou Beer Garden, and The Maple Leaf are a testament to this living legend’s greatness. For his 70th (!) birthday blowout, he’ll be joined by some top-notch guests including Anders Osborne, Stanton Moore, and Cyril and Ivan Neville for what’s sure to be a classic Maple Leaf jam party. Soul Project, one of my favorite cover party bands in the city, opens the show at 10 PM.

Friday / This ain’t no Lollipop Guild: Step aside Keebler, the Republic is hosting their third annual Elf (as in the 2003 Will Farrell movie, not a generic Santa’s helper — big difference) Throwback party. Highlights include retro and current holiday jams from DJ G, a throwback arcade with 40 retro games, $2-$3 drink specials, a continuous screening circuit of Elf, and pictures with Santa, complete with elf hats.Costumes encouraged. Doors open at 10 PM. Cover is $5 before 12 AM, $10 after 12 AM, and free if you arrive in full holiday costume.

Fishermans Stew, to be served as part of the maritime-inspired menu

Friday – Saturday/ Roux if by sea: Cripple Creek Theatre Co., Alex McMurray of the Valpariso Men’s Chorus, and WRBH Reading Radio have joined forces and collaborated with director Emelie Whelan to produce a two day only radio play, Under Milk Wood: In the Walking Haze. The performance, described as aurally immersive, is inspired by Dylan Thomas’ 1950’s radio drama. In order to make the experience more visceral, tickets include a maritime inspired three-course dinner, cocktails, and live music. The show starts at 7 PM, at Saturn Bar, both days. Tickets are $25. Read more about the performance from the director and chef.

Owen and Shearer

Saturday – Sunday/ Naughty and nice: Grandma wants to hold hands and sing carols; Uncle Bill looks like he might fall asleep in the eggnog bowl; and acetic cousin Nate, who (shockingly) hates Christmas, is inching dangerously close to the tree with a burning candle in hand. How do you diffuse the situation? You pack everyone (assuming you can revive Uncle Bill) into the car and head to the Holiday Sing-A-Long at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art (though, you probably should avoid uttering the term ‘sing-a-long’ around Nate).

Funny guy Harry Shearer (known for his work on The Simpsons, SNL, and his radio program — Le Show) and (also funny) singer-songwriter wife Judith Owen are bringing NOLA a please-all holiday show — a part sing-a-long, part comedy– that should satisfy scrooges and Christmas lovers; traditionalists and non-traditionalists. Expect surprise guests. 7 – 9 PM Saturday; 6 – 8 PM Sunday. Tickets are $35.

Sunday / Sounds of the season: Catch the last show in the Christmas New Orleans Style concert series, at the St Louis Cathedral. In this final performance, the sounds of classic Christmas songs, from a full choir, will ripple off of the cathedral’s lofty arches and dramatic ceiling. The show starts at 5:30. The event is free and open to the public.

Chelsea Lee is associate editor of NolaVie. Email comments to her at chelsea@nolavie.com.