Wed. & Thurs. (20, 21 & 27,28) in December

 We've always enjoyed the Washington Square (in Brookline) restaurant called Fireplace for its fine dining and owner Jim Solomon's gregarious personality. Last month, Solomon re-started up an intimate jazz program on Wednesday and Thursday nights. The lineup for the rest of December follows: Guitarist Steve Fell on Dec. 20, progressive jazz from Rob Mitzner on Dec. 21, bassist Jef Charland and company on Dec. 27 and the James Merenda Trio, playing piano jazz standards and improv on Dec. 28. Note: The Fireplace is a  CBS-4 nominee for "best romantic" spot. The reason for the jazz? They had it for three previous years, but took the summer off. Solomon says he's found "the introduction of jazz to the Fireplace really works, really fits. It's an extentsion of what we've been playing (over the sound system). But live jazz has returned with a vengeance, drawing more people than we ever have." Check out the website below for cuisine details, though the revival.  entrees tend to be in the $25-$30 range. Music goes from 9:30 to midnight.

1634 Beacon St., Brookline, 617-975-1900 fireplacerest.com

Thurs. Dec. 28 and Sunday Dec. 31

We never saw David Sedaris in "The Santaland Diaries," his wry sardonic take on his experiences as a department store Santa's helper. But we saw Bostonian John Kuntz play Crumpet - yes, that's the elf's name - several years ago, and let's say the man was born to it. All the despair, bitchiness, wit, false cheer, seasonal mean-ness and hilarity is captured in this one-man play, which is up at the New Rep Downstage - a 90-capacity black box - from Wed. Dec. 20 through Sunday Dec. 31. Here's the rub: Only three shows are available as we write, Thursday Dec. 28 at 10 p.m. and Sunday Dec. 31 at 3 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $25.

 200 Dexter Ave., Watertown, 617-923-8487 newrep.org

Wed. Dec. 27

 We remember knocking around Boston clubs with one of the Fishbone guys years ago after one of their gigs and having a blast The gig was a blast too: \Hard, hammering, humourous (at times) funk-rock, that had become sort of anomoly in the world. It was around the "U-G-L-Y" was popping up all over. Fishbone made a lot of friends in the punk rock world; there was some implied crossover. What's real nice to see is that long after the initial buzz has worn off - and rap has come, mutated and dominated - the musically deft and lyrically sharp Fishbone continues to thrive and tour. They play Harpers Ferry Wed. Dec. 27. Doors at 9 p.m. Tickets: $20.

156 Brighton Ave., Allston, 800-594-TIXX

 Saturday, Dec. 23

 Four Janovitz brothers under one roof? It's true! Singer-guitarist Bill Janovitz (of Buffalo Tom, Crown Victoria Crown and solo fame) is your best known J-bro, but his sibs Paul and Scott will be joining him at the Lizard Lounge Saturday night Dec. 23 at 9:30 for a special show. Which is ... ?  A combination of Christmas songs and brothers songs set. They're called the Janovitz Brothers, which Bill dearly hopes won't be confused with the Bacon Brothers. So this set is all about what ...?  Says Bill: "The bulk will be covers of acts that were brothers acts - the Everly Brothers, the Beach Boys, the Bee Gees, the Jackson 5, the Louvin Bros, the Allman Brothers Band." That's the brotherly aspect. "We'll be avoiding Nelson and the Hanson Brothers," says Bill. "I'd like to do AC/DC but no one can step up and sing at the mic." He says they're hoping the good-natured guys don't get into Oasis/Black Crowes land with any spats. "No strangulations, no fisticuffs," he says, hoping for the best. (The Janovitz sibs will be joined by members of Crown Victoria and drummer Ben Hedlund from the Russians.) As to the holiday tip, Janovitz says they'll do "Run Run Rudolph" (Chuck Berry), "Silent Night," and "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" (the Orioles), along with the Kinks' "Waterloo Sunset." Wait! What about a brothers/Xmas combo, the Kinks' snotty punker "Father Christmas," where Ray Davies sneers "Give all your toys/to the little rich boys" and Dave Davies lets his guitar rip and roar. May be too difficult, says Janovitz. "We're just looking to have a good time," he says. "As an idealist, these ideas come so easy - but we have to rehearse 20 songs and get a band together." Joining them at some Beach Boys-ish point may be ex-Fuzzy gals Chris Toppin and Hilken Mancini. Opening up: another Janovitz, Tom, and his band the Shout Abouts. Cover: An absurdly low $8.

1667 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, 617-547-0759 lizardloungeclub.com

Fri. Dec. 22

Punk rockers can be kind people, too. Really. Especially this time of year. And, naturally enough, when Globe Santa is involved. So, Daltonic, a Boston hardcore band from the '90s, has reunited, drawing its guys from the members of Capital Radio, Antler, Bury the Needle and Some Kind of Hate. Not only that, there's a reunion gig by New York hardcore band Black Train Jack. But that's not all. Groucho Marxists - a great name if there ever was one - are there (they feature Chris Pierce, ex of Doc Hopper), along with Stolen Bike Crusade and Stationlife. Now, does this make for merriment? Well, maybe, mayhem. And all the cash goes to the aforementioned Santa, who turns it into toys for all the poor kids. (Daltonic did one of seasonal benefits last year and raised nearly a grand for another charity.) So get on down to the Bulfinch Yacht Club - don't worry about not being the yachting type - and slam dance the night away, Friday Dec. 22. Starts around 9. Tickets: $10.

234 Friend St., 617-723-0800  thebyc.com