Perhaps to place well in both red and blue states, here's a band that bills itself as "aggressive and listenable." Unashamedly rocking, $pent covers songs they like and writes new ones when those run out. Featuring Kurt Ulrich (of Two Dollar Goat) on lead vocals, this Cabaloosa show should provide some serious alternative bliss for your buck. $6. New Paltz. (845) 255-3400. www.spentrock.com.

If you wanna hang with the cool kids this winter, move to the Sunday night groove at Downtown Cafe for Jack Ryon's weekly samba-jazz set. On a cold Catskill night, find all the tropicalia you need as the room glows from the music, wine, and sublime food appearing from the open kitchen. No cover. Kingston. (845) 331-5904.

The duo of Amy Fradon and Katy Taylor has performed music spanning six centuries or more. Their holiday union, Mirabilis (or, in an advent context, "miracles") offers medieval, Celtic, and original carols, songs, and chants for the season. The duo performs weekly this month throughout the Hudson Valley, but this show at the Holy Cross Monastery begins with a righteous half-hour of evening prayer. $12. West Park. (845) 384-6660. www.katytaylor.com.

Some may call Bard progressive, but they sound positively Dickensian with this generous slate of December shows. Richard Teitelbaum directs the Bard Electro-Acoustic Ensemble December 7 in Bard Hall. December 8 the Bard College Chamber Singers and Community Chorus, directed by James Bagwell, perform Stravinsky and Haydn in the Fisher Center's Sosnof Theater. Thurman Barker directs the Bard College Big Band December 9 in conjunction with the Bard Guitar Ensemble. And on December 15, the Bard College Orchestra, also under Bagwell, performs seasonal music by Schubert and Mendelssohn. $5. Annandale-on-Hudson. (845) 758-7900.

It's not a reality show, but a real live musician, guitarist/producer Steve Burgh, has taken over "33" (formerly The Uptown and Flying Saucer Cafe) on North Front Street. The new space works overtime, with daytime recording spilling into evening concerts. In this dynamic double-header, the effusive Peggy Atwood warms up the room for Tom Pacheco's mountain meanderings. $15 door, $12 advance. Kingston. (845) 339-8440. www.peggyatwood.com.

Ulster pianist Arner plays with fearless vigor when taking liberties with standards or breaking ground with new originals. Here he steps across the Hudson for his 14th session at the genteel Center for the Performing Arts. Bassist Lane has the reputation and chops to keep time with Arner's ever-changing moods. $15, $13. Rhinebeck. (845) 876-3080. www.centerforperformingarts.org.

It's hard to beat the combination of Sonando's brassy music and New World's brasserie a go-go. Except for one night of the year, when Chef Ric lays out this copious buffet of epic proportions. The orgiastic energy of this soiree is enough to keep you sated until the Ides of March. Reservations a must. $100 full, $20 dancing only. Saugerties. (845) 246-0900. www.newworldhomecooking.com.