* THEY are sharp, they are smart and they play like no one on earth... but don’t let that fool you, because The Original Rabbit Foot Spasm Band are no Christmas angels.
Oxford’s jazz-swing legends, pictured, are also the biggest party animals this side of New Orleans, and their festive gatherings are a sight, and sound, to behold.
On Saturday the hedonistic seven-piece pitch up at the Art Bar (still better known by its old name The Bullingdon), in Cowley Road, for the season’s biggest bash.
The show will see frontman Stuart Macbeth, trumpeter Martin Martello, saxophonists Red Wilkins and Chuck Lloyd, guitarist Carlo Matassa, double bass player Buzz Booker and drummer John ‘Skippy’ Gannon bringing down the house with a Yuletide knees-up which is guaranteed to banish any chills.
The band have had the best possible year, launching their own brand of cider, gigging almost constantly, building a cult following at numerous festivals and releasing their new album Party Seven.
They will be joined by some surprise special guests and Ska Cubano’s Natty Bo on the decks.
The festivities go on until at least 3am. Tickets are £8 from wegottickets.com. Advance booking is recommended.
* Hallelujah! ‘Madchester’s’ finest, Happy Mondays, return to the O2 Academy Oxford tomorrow, for more arms-in-the-air shenanigans. Shaun, Bez and co celebrate the 25th anniversary of their second album Bummed by playing it all the way through.
Tickets are £28 from ticketweb.co.uk
* THE Cellar’s wonderful Irregular Folk night also gets out the baubles for it’s own Yuletide fiesta on Saturday. Sets come from Sea Stacks, Jess Hall and Salvation Bill. Oh, and there will be real local ale and homemade sausage rolls!
The session runs from 7.30pm-10.30pm. Tickets are £5 in advance from wegottickets.com or £7 for a handmade ticket on the door.
* There is more festive cheer at the Jericho tavern on Monday, when regulars gather for the Famous Monday Blues Christmas Party, hosted by charismatic promoter ‘Silver’ Phil Guy Davis.
This year’s bash features ‘Gothic Americana’ act Roadhouse, with special guest slots by Des Barkus, Dan Brannigan, Adina, and tattooed rogue and all-round guitar genius Chris Ryder.
Tickets are £12 from wegottickets.com
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