Brian Dewan Christmas Show in Catskill 

If you’re steeling yourself for the cabin drama that sometimes comes with the holidays, here’s a great way to prepare: quirky musician Brian Dewan’s annual Christmas show, which will happen at the Avalon Lounge in Dewan’s hometown of Catskill on December 22.

The eccentric Dewan, who I had the pleasure of profiling for Chronogram way back in 2008, is truly one of the Hudson Valley’s regional treasures. In addition to being the inventor of a growing raft of handmade analog synthesizers and other instruments, he’s a hugely entertaining singer-songwriter and musician (he plays accordion and electric zither) and a collector and performer of arcane songs from various eras. His yearly local Christmas performance features twisted traditional and forgotten holiday tunes of seasons gone by, with his own oddball originals sprinkled among them.

Here, he performs “Why Do They All Take the Night Boat to Albany” at Valentine’s Day-themed concert in 2017:


“Christmas with Brian Dewan!” will take place at the Avalon Lounge in Catskill on December 22 at 7:30pm. Tickets are $10.