Stage AE

December 11
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; event starts at 7 p.m.

Along with The Nutcracker and PPG Place ice rink, WYEP’s Holiday Hootenanny is fast becoming an annual holiday tradition in the Burgh. If you’ve already snagged tickets, then you can check one more thing off of your list, but act fast, because this December favorite is known to sell out.

YEP’s Hoot knows that holiday traditions around the globe would not be the same without music, and their seventh annual edition is one of the best places to spread holiday cheer, support the local music scene, enjoy seasonal treats and share the spirit of giving. Whether you grew up listening to holiday standards by Johnny Mathis, The Beach Boys, Bing or The Ventures, you’re not going to want to miss this hip musical happening. Equal parts local live revue, benefit concert and cozy holiday sing-along (with 600 hundred of your closest friends), the event brings together local music luminaries, classic holiday tunes, a giant cookie table and a very worthy cause.

The Hoot kicks off at 7 p.m. with The Yule Kids Pajama Jam emceed by WYEP’s Morning Mix co-host Joey Spehar. The special kid-friendly set will feature the talented local music and comedy duo, Josh and Gab, who will perform holiday sing-along favorites new and old, including “Jingle Bells/Dradel Song,” and spirited versions of the Kinks’ “Father Christmas” and Pharrell Williams’ “Happy.”

Then at 8 p.m., the Hoot kicks into high gear, with a talented lineup of local artists and acts all performing their signature takes on classic and contemporary holiday favorites. This year’s house band features Nathan Zoob, Manuel Guevara, Max Somerville, Ryan Booth, Jason Rafalak and Bob Kircher. Featured performers for the 2014 lineup include: Josh Verbanets & Guy Russo, Joy Ike, Essential Machine, Billy Price, Morgan Erina, Zak Kane, Brooke Annibale, Kai Roberts, Chet Vincent & Molly Alphabet, Scott Peterson, Ben Shannon, Ellen Gozion & Mike McCormick, Mark Dignam & Sarah Siplak, Lauren DeLorenze, and Greg Dutton & Liz Adams.

Craving holiday sweets? Cozy up to the giant treats table featuring a smorgasbord of homemade cookies made by local bakeries, including Bella Dolci, Country Cupboard, Dulcinea Bake Shop, Good L’Oven Bakery,Mediterra Bakehouse, Prantl’s, Pastries a la Carte, Schorr Bakery and Stangl’s.

WYEP is also teaming up with a great local cause to support the spirit of giving. This year’s Hootenanny serves as a collection drive for the Western PA Chapter of The Pajama Program’s One Million Good Nights campaign, which serves children in need in group homes, shelters and temporary housing. Attendees are encouraged to bring children’s pajamas and books to donate (all items must be new).

Can’t make it to Stage AE on December 11th? Tune in to WYEP at 8 p.m., for a live broadcast of the Hootenanny.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Purchase tickets.

Jennifer has worked at the Mattress Factory, Brooklyn Museum of Art and Dahesh Museum of Art and is co-author of Pittsburgh Signs Project: 250 Signs of Western Pennsylvania. She also is co-coordinator of Handmade Arcade. Musically, she is in a band called The Garment District and is a founding member of Brooklyn's The Ladybug Transistor.