I don't know about you, but I think this is gonna be a booming big holiday season.
I base this on gut feeling, not scientific evidence or economic forecasts. Last night I counted 11 homes decked out in Christmas lights in just one 10-block area.
That was two days before Thanksgiving. That's got to be the earliest I've seen that many decorations.
I've also seen a lot of cars in the parking lots of local malls and big box stores. The few times I've been able to shop, it's been crowded.
I'm telling ya, it's looking like it's going to be a rebound kind of holiday season this year.
Local entertainment offerings seem to be rocking, too, at least in terms of activity.
Here's some concert news:
• Socorro Entertainment Center has booked a free show by Queensryche at 5 p.m. Jan. 19.
It's one of two versions of the '80s prog-rock band working the road these days.
Singer Geoff Tate was fired this year, and filed suit against the band. Since their court date isn't until next year, a judge has allowed him to use the name with his new band (which includes Rudy Sarzo).
The remaining members of the original band (guitarist Chris DeGarmo quit a few years ago) is touring with former Crimson Glory singer Todd La Torre.
That's the version that will be coming here. The lineup includes founding members Michael Wilton (guitar), Eddie Jackson (bass) and Scott Rockenfeld (drums), plus guitarist Parker Lundgren.
"Silent Lucidity" indeed.
SEC also has booked a free show by Christian hard rockers Skillet at 6 p.m. Feb. 16.
They played here at the Coliseum in 2009, around the time their last studio album, "Awake," came out. It's since gone double platinum.
The band, centered around singer-guitarist John Cooper and his wife, singer-guitarist Korey Cooper, has gone through its share of personnel changes. They're working on a new album, due next year.
Both shows are all ages.
• German DJ Boys Noize will play a DJ set at 9 p.m. Dec. 17 at Buchanan's Event Center, 11540 Pellicano.
Also known as Alex Ridha, the Hamburg-based DJ swings through here on his way to Detroit, where he'll play a New Year's Eve concert with Skrillex at my old haunt, The Palace of Auburn Hills (home of the now lowly Detroit Pistons).
It's part of a 23-city tour in support of new album "Out of the Black" and comes not long after Rolling Stone named him No. 9 out of 25 Top EDM DJs.
Tickets are $21, on sale at Happy House, the Headstand and eventbrite.com.
• A publicist for country singer Lee Brice says his management has confirmed he'll provide the halftime entertainment at this year's 79th annual Hyundai Sun Bowl on Dec. 31.
A Sun Bowl spokeswoman had no comment.
A Dec. 31 Sun Bowl Stadium date was posted on Brice's website last week. The Sun Bowl spokeswoman, Ana Chavez, said at the time that he was one act under consideration.
• In another update, that 8 p.m. Nov. 30 Kenny Rogers show at the Inn of the Mountain Gods will, indeed, be part of his 31st annual "Christmas & Hits" tour. The area date was announced before the tour was.
He'll perform traditional Christmas songs and carols, such as "White Christmas" and "Joy to the World," plus hits such as "The Gambler," "Lady" and "She Believes in Me."
Tickets range from $40-$100 at Ticketmaster.
• That show by comedian and Mexican TV star La Chupitos has been postponed from Nov. 23 to Jan. 25 at Romeo's Discoteque.
It was posted on the Ticketbully site. I'm assuming tickets purchased in advance (if there were any, they did a lousy job of promoting it) will be honored on the new date.
No refund policy was posted, but it's usually at point of purchase.
• El Paso's Dirty River Boys, who've been busy touring behind new album "Science of Flight," will head back to town for the Christmas holidays.
They'll perform a 9 p.m. Dec. 23 show at Tricky Falls.
The Lusitania will open.
No ticket info yet.
The club also will host a 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16 CD release party for local rockers Attaks (the band will play another one, with Bitchface, at 10 p.m. Dec. 18 at the Black Market).
And Tricky again will host the Not So Silent Christmas, a heavy metal/heavy rock blowout at 7 p.m. Dec. 22.
A total of 18 bands will play two stages, including Black Wolf Howl, Alodex, Scordatura Vita, Suicide Romance, Years of Cold and Steady Shakedown.
• New wave cumbia band Frontera Bugalu will play the Soho Lounge at 9 p.m. Nov. 24.
Frontman and accordionist Kiko Rodriguez is promising some new material from the ever-lively group, kind of a thinking man's dance band.
• Oldies band P.T. and the Cruisers, which features some of the best veteran talent around, will play a "Pre New Year's Eve" dinner show from 6-11 p.m. Dec. 30 at Dominic's.
Dinner includes chicken, green chile-stuffed lasagna, salad and a drink.
Cost is $25.
Call 778.0011 for reservations.
• We had some bad info on one of the "Golden Age" exhibit events at the El Paso Museum of Art. The Sebastian Ensemble will perform music inspired by some of the art work from that era in a free concert at 2 p.m. Jan. 6 at the museum.
We had been given the wrong time, which we printed in last Sunday's Living section. The exhibit ends Jan. 6.
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