Jewbilee

For those who don't celebrate Christmas, hanging out around town on Christmas Eve can be a weird experience. "Lonely" isn't quite the right word, but something usually feels slightly off. Not unlike the landscape in the zombie flick 28 Days Later, the city may seem stark, empty. You might not pass as many people on the streets, the bars are usually sparsely populated, movie theaters not in the suburbs only have a handful of viewers, and grocery stores are short on produce and meat. If you run into a stranger in a gas station or shopping mall, you may feel the urge to back away slowly as you stare at their dazed or crazy eyes—they're frantically searching for a last-minute gift in the air-freshener and car-maintenance aisle at SA. Fear not, though! Those not consumed by the Christmas bug can congregate at Grumpy's for the third annual Jewbilee. Though it may be weird outside, it's warm and cozy in the downtown bar. Musicians and DJs (including Danny Sigelman) will be playing tunes you can dance to (without sugar plums). Hanukkah gifts will be raffled off, and, as usual, free Chinese food will be consumed by all—because even gentiles know (check out A Christmas Story) that no holiday season is complete without it.
Mon., Dec. 24, 9 p.m., 2007