Last minute
Holiday jam: Tonight, Ekoostik Hookah, the Columbus jam band that heated up WorldJam this year, is back in town for a show at Bogart's (2621 Vine St., Corryville; 281-8400; 8 p.m., $15). — Larry Nager
              

Countdown

               Classical concert: For the sixth year, the Dayton Philharmonic will host a Viennese New Year's Eve Concert with members of the Dayton Opera, 8 p.m. Sunday in Dayton's Memorial Hall. Maestro Neal Gittleman will waltz through a program of Viennese classics and operetta arias. He'll be joined by soprano Suzanne Balaes, baritone Elias Mokole and dancers from the Bernice DuBro Dance Studios. The two-hour program includes party hats and a champagne toast. Tickets: $15-$48. 937-224-9000. - Janelle Gelfand

        Guitar ace at Southgate: Friday, it's world-class blues and swing guitar from Roomful of Blues founder Duke Robillard and his band (9 p.m.; $12; 779-9462). - Larry Nager

        Sermon and song: Word of Deliverance Ministries for the World Inc. presents a New Year's Eve Celebration Explosion, 9 p.m. Sunday at the Albert B. Sabin Convention Center, downtown, featuring a sermon by Bishop Bobby Hilton and a long list of performance artists.

        Headliner is national recording artist Rodney Posey who will perform his hit “El Shaddai” (among others). Also in the lineup is Stacy Johnson and New Vision Dance Ministry from Houston, Texas, local female group Destiny and the Word of Deliverance Worship Arts Department.

        Reception follows the celebration service at the Hyatt Regency Hotel (Fifth and Race streets) with more entertainment and food till the wee hours. Service is free, Hyatt reception is $18. 851-9673. - Jason Nebel

        Avant blues: Saturday, alt-blues on the cutting edge with the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion at Bogart's (8:30 p.m., $12 advance, $14 day of show; 562-4949).

        Jazz in the new year: Tuesday, live jazz returns to the Blue Wisp (19 Garfield Plac, downtown; 721-9801) with the Phil DeGreg Trio (9:30 p.m.; cover). — Larry Nager

FYI

               Online newsletter: The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra has entered the electronic age with its first online newsletter. “SymphonE-Mail” will go out monthly to inform you about CSO events, concerts and people.

        To subscribe, enter your name and e-mail address on the CSO's Guestbook page at cincinnatisymphony.org, and indicate in the Guestbook Comments box that you would like to receive SymphonE-Mail. - Janelle Gelfand

        Christmas came early: Early this month, the St. Louis Symphony received the largest personal gift ever made to a symphony Orchestra, when the Jack Taylor family — founders of Enterprise Rent-A-Car — pledged up to $40 million, in a challenge grant to match donors' contributions.

        Then, four days before Christmas, the Philadelphia Orchestra announced the Walter and Leonore Annenberg Music Director Chair, an endowed chair in recognition of a $10 million gift from the Annenberg Foundation. — Janelle Gelfand

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