Tonight's final concert in the three-part "9" Music Series Battle of the Bands-style competition for a fatty recording package at Morrisound Studios features the reggaefied hip-hoppin’ rock of Variety Workshop, the blues-soaked grooves of Male Order Brides, and the Southern acoustic jams of Southside Serenade. The winner moves on to the final play-off concert in January. Tues., Dec. 22, 8 p.m., Skipper's Smokehouse, Tampa, $5, skipperssmokehouse.com. --Leilani Polk
It's pay-what-you-can admission night at American Stage's production of This Wonderful Life. Based on Frank Capra’s classic Christmas movie, the story follows down-on-his-luck George Bailey of Bedford Falls, who’s ready to end it all on Christmas Eve until his guardian angel, Clarence, visits for a trip back in time to show George what the little town might have been like it it wasn’t for his good deeds over the years. Visit americanstage.org for more info. Nov. 18-Dec. 27, 7:30 p.m. Tues.-Thurs., 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 3 p.m. matinees Sat.-Sun.; Thanksgiving and Christmas performances canceled, American Stage, St. Petersburg, $26-$45; Tues., Dec. 1 and 22 are “pay what you can” nights.
