Thurs. Dec. 21

We saw a Jewish comic on late night TV recently, recalling his childhood. His parents would ask him what he wanted for Hanukkah and he would say "Christmas." Can you blame him? Not out of any yearning Christ-worship, of course, but just wanting to be part of the festivities, the gift-giving frenzy, the nog, the Santa Claus ritual. In recent years, Jews have tried to claim part of late December with party rites of their own, including the "Matzah Balls" thrown on Christmas Eve in many cities. On Thursday Dec. 21, T.T. the Bear's hips it up with an evening called Jewltide Boston or Dreydls, Jelly Donuts, Wontons and DJS: How to Throw a Jewish Alt-Christmas Party. On the bill are the LeeVees, an indie-pop collaboration between Guster's Adam Gardner and the Zambonis Dave Scheinder. They've be rocking out with songs from "Hanukkah Rocks." (There was once a band called Hanoi Rocks, so there's a play on words there.) This event - also featuring Golem, Socalled and Shtremi - was founded by Aaron Bisman and Jacob Harris of JDub Records. Says Bisman: "My parents lived in Nebraska for a time and, like a lot of Jews, they would go to a movie and have Chinese food." So, when he grew up Bisman and his partner devised this shindig. It began at their Brooklyn home base and now occurs in four cities. For this night, expect some klezmer, folk-punk Gypsymusic, some Jewish-skewed pop. The irreverent HEEB magazine will also have a presence. It's unlikely Mel Gibson will. It starts at 9:30 and costs $10.

10 Brookline St., Cambridge, 617-492-0082 ttthebears.com