The Vienna Boys’ Choir

The Vienna Boys’ Choir boasts a singularly rich history and sets the musical standard for boys’ choirs worldwide. Their musical legacy spans half a millennium. Over 500 years—and the rise and fall of empires—the Boys’ Choir has woven a musical tapestry that includes collaborations with such musical titans as Franz Schubert, Joseph Hayden and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Today, the Vienna Boys’ Choir has grown to include approximately 100 choristers between the ages of 10 and 14, comprising four touring and recording choirs. The choirs bring their angelic harmonies to nearly half a million people each year, and have recorded a dozen albums of Christmas music alone.

What better way to take in the legacy of the Boys’ Choir than in a holiday performance in the intimate and acoustically superb Troy Savings Bank Music Hall?

The Vienna Boys’ Choir will perform at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall (2nd and State streets, Troy) on Sunday (Dec. 20) at 7 PM. Tickets range from $25 to 40, $20 for students and children. For more info, call the box office at 273-0038.

Thursday, Dillinger Escape Plan

There are only a handful of bands who can crack skulls in 7/8 time, but Dillinger Escape Plan have always been one of the more ferocious acts in this geeky breed. Some have called them the “Radiohead of metalcore,” but that might be the kind of statement that will earn you a bloody nose at a DEP show. Over 12 years, the group have gone through more lineup changes than they’ve released albums, but their fan base continues to grow for a sound that’s allowed the band to cover Aphex Twin, record tracks for Black Flag and Guns N’ Roses tribute albums, and tour with the likes of Megadeth, Nine Inch Nails and Mr. Bungle. Option Paralysis is slated for release in March.

Headlining the bill, which includes Fake Problems, Endless Hallway and Enigmatic Heart, are Thursday (pictured), a New Jersey band who might be considered the “Radiohead of screamo”—if that makes any sense or puts you in any less risk of assault.

Thursday and Dillinger Escape Plan will come to Northern Lights (1208 Route 146, Clifton Park) tomorrow (Friday, Dec. 18) at 6:30 PM. Tickets are $17. Call 371-0012 for more info.

What Would Jesus Buy?

According to Reverend Billy and the Church of Life After Shopping, “Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit. Blessed are the jobless who force us to change the economy. Blessed are the broke who reintroduce the what-can-I-do-for-no-money? Blessed are the recycled gifts and homemade art and swap-o-ramas and farmers markets. Local-ujah!”

With two events planned for this weekend, the anti-corporate, anti- consumerist road show will be staging something of a tabernacle “shopocalyptic” revival.

Tonight, What Would Jesus Buy? screens at the Linda as part of the Honest Weight Food Co-op’s Food for Thought documentary series. The film follows Reverend Billy on a cross-country tour of comical street-theatrical sermonizing and “retail interventions,” crusading through shopping malls during the Christmas season to exorcise the demons of overconsumption, materialism and commercialization. A live sermon will follow.

Tomorrow, Reverend Billy and the Not Buying It Band bring their full hand- clapping gospel show to the Sanctuary for Independent Media.

What Would Jesus Buy? screens at the Linda Norris Auditorium (339 Central Ave., Albany) today (Thursday, Dec. 17) at 7 PM. Tickets are $6. Call 465-5233 for more info. Reverend Billy and the Church of Life After Shopping play the Sanctuary for Independent Media (3361 6th Ave., Troy) tomorrow (Friday, Dec. 18) at 8 PM. $10, $5 students and low-income. Call 272-2390 for more info.