This week, 'tis the season - special world-music Christmas gigs by Geoffrey Castle, and George Sadak and friends. Also Kevin McCarthy and friends have a big band at Darrell's, the Mecca Re-Union at Dahlak, Josh Rawlings brings jazz renditions of the Music of Super Mario Bros (where else will you hear THAT?), and Marc Smason plays a Hannukah party! Jovino Santos Neto kicks it all off tonite with his world-class Quinteto at the Royal Room. Plus much more as always, and of course I'll have the weekend update Fri/Sat as more gigs come in. No excuses for not having a great time with some of Seattle's great jazz/world music this weekend!

Wednesday 12-5 7:30-10pm
Jovino Santos Neto Quinteto
Jovino Santos Neto on piano, Chuck Deardorf on bass, Jeff Busch on drums, Ben Thomas on vibraphone and special guest Hans Teuber on saxophone
The Royal Room
5000 Rainier Ave South, Seattle http://www.facebook.com/events/442933875767316/

Thursday 12-6 7:30 -11pm
Josh Rawlings Trio plays the music of Super Mario Bros.!!!
Yes - Super Mario, the jazz trio version! - c'mon, we know you have waited decades for this!
Tula's Jazz Club
2214 2nd Ave, Seattle
http://www.facebook.com/events/471945252846535/

Thursday 12-6 8pm
The Dave George/Kevin McCarthy 10et
Big band jazz at Darrell's -"Where your dad used to drink!" (really, that's their logo - I have the T-shirt to prove it!)
Darrell's Tavern
18041 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline
http://www.facebook.com/events/119794714847216/

Thursday 8:30pm
Wine Tea Chocolate JAM
Hosted by singer Stephanie Porter
JAM SESSION with Special Guest Guitarist BRIAN NOVA! Yes, he is in town for One Night!
Wine, Tea, Chocolate
3417 Evanston Ave. N. #102
http://www.facebook.com/events/175401549268117/

Friday 12-7 7-10pm
Christmas Tapestry - The Yearly Holiday Show
Members of Christmas Tapestry are here to perform tunes from our "Christmas Tapestry "CD produced by Ottoman Trading Co. plus other holiday specials with our own ethnic flavor. We ll also include a mix of Gypsy Jazz and Middle Eastern music.
Harissa Mediterranean Cuisine
2255 NE 65th St., Seattle
http://www.facebook.com/events/302669953183112/

Friday 12-7 7pm
Los Buhos
Latino American Music. Laura Oviedo, Juan Carlos Serbulo, Marc Smason. Very authentic Mexican cousine.
El Quetzal
3209 Beacon Ave S., Seattle
http://www.facebook.com/events/141932309289183/

Friday 12-7 7-9:30pm
Fathia Atallah et Les Troubadours
Your French Gypsy Music is back at the new Harissa
Harissa Mediterranean Cuisine in Capitol Hill
340 15th Ave. E, Seattle
http://www.facebook.com/events/390662477679927/

Friday 12-7 8pm (also on Saturday, listed below)
5th Annual Celtic Christmas Celebration
Geoffrey Castle's 5th Annual Celtic Christmas Celebration!
The Kirkland Performance Center
350 Kirkland Ave • Kirkland, WA
http://www.facebook.com/events/246860058772824/

Saturday 12-8 8pm
5th Annual Celtic Christmas Celebration
Geoffrey Castle's 5th Annual Celtic Christmas Celebration!
The Kirkland Performance Center
350 Kirkland Ave • Kirkland, WA
http://www.facebook.com/events/246860058772824/

Saturday 12-8 8pm -2am
HIGHLIFE BAND with UNITE-ONE / DJ Court
Fresh off a short tour through northeern California, The Highlife presents Seattle with a new sound combining Reggae, Jazz, Latin, and Caribbean elements.They have video performed live on Lake Union (I mean right ON the lake on a platform!) here http://vimeo.com/couchmode/user7627515/videos/sort:date/54336888
Nectar Lounge
412 N. 36th St, Seattle
http://www.facebook.com/events/456884721036153

Friday 8:30pm
Michael Martinez w Jeff Busch
Michael Martinez returns to North City Bistro with his voice and violao to perform his favorite Brasilian and American music ranging from Bossa Nova classics to Soul music. Joining him will be renowned percussionist Jeff Busch
North City Bistro
1520 NE 177th St, Shoreline
http://www.facebook.com/events/411174588956008/

Saturday 9pm-2am
Mecca Reunion 2012 - Music Arts Festival
This will be the 3rd Annual Mecca Reunion - a Music Arts Festival. Quite a number of Seattle World music artists - too many to name individually here - another big world music community celebration at Dahlak (always a blast when they throw one of these!)
Dahlak Eritrean Cuisine
2007 S State St, Seattle
http://www.facebook.com/events/510908335595528/

Sunday 12-9 5pm
Mitryah Hannukah Party
Marc Smason and the Katatonics
Yes, you heard that right - a Hannukah party inside a church! Now that's Seattle-style for ya!
Church of Hope – Social Hall
3818 S Angeline, Seattle
http://www.facebook.com/events/535334956496450/