Two Christmas soirees are bringing holiday cheer to St. Claude Avenue this weekend. The first is the Park The Van Holiday Soiree IV, being thrown by Park The Van Records, the local indie rock label, at the Hi-Ho Lounge (which will be the Ho-Ho Lounge for one night) December 18 at 9 p.m. There will be live music by Empress Hotel, Grant & Ted from the Generationals (basically the Generationals), and Giant Cloud, as well as a video presentation of YA! Young Audiences Raps! and holiday drink specials.

“Bright Lights” by Giant Cloud: [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMZvSdCeH4E[/youtube]

The second seasonal shindig is the Second Annual Nog ‘n’ Log Sunday night at the Allways Lounge. Starting at 9 p.m. December 20, revelers can celebrate bad Christmas music, calorie-laden drinks, and silly sweaters. There will be open-mic caroling, drink specials, a whole herd of reindeer, and a celebrity DJ. Christmas horror movies will be screened and there will be prizes for the best Christmas sweater. Festive attire is encouraged—but did we even have to say that?