*So I was working on the information that will be in this week’s Holiday 2009 special supplement, being published as part of this week’s Bee, and I found what may be one of the most interesting shows being offered this season.

The Fairfield University Glee Club will be offering two performances next month of “A Christmas Adventure: Sting & Coldplay Meet Benjamin Britten.” Shows are scheduled for Friday, December 4, at 8 pm, and Saturday, December 5, at 2 pm, and tickets are just $10 each – just $6 for student-age attendees.

The shows will be at the Quick Center, on the university’s campus. Call 877-ARTS-396 (877-278-7396) or 203-254-4010 for details.

*Fairfield Theatre Company sent a remind for its December schedule this week and there are a few shows down that caught my eye.

TIM REYNOLDS & RT3 will be at FTC’s StageOne on Friday, December 4 (I know, a conflict with the FU Glee Club show I just talked about!), at 7:30. Tickets are $42 for that one.

MYSTIC BOWIE will celebrate a CD Release Concert on Sunday, December 20. That show, which also will start at 7:30, will mark the release of the world music and reggae artist’s new collection, Nevah Kiss & Tell.

And then THE RYAN MONTBLEAU BAND will close out 2009 for the theater with a pair of shows on December 30 and 31. Tickets are $35 for Wednesday night ($32.50 for students and seniors), and $50 for Thursday night, $47.50 students and seniors, and that night’s event will include a champagne toast at midnight.

*The Blue Z will host a jazz jam to open this weekend. Jazz Jam is open to anyone who wants to join in and play or just sit in and listen. It’ll run from 7 to 9 tonight (November 20).

Tomorrow night’s highlight will be singer-songwriter MOLLY BRYCE, who will take the stage from 7:30 until 9:30.

Next weekend Newtown resident (and Flagpole Radio Café music director) JIM ALLEN will take some time in the spotlight. Jim will be back at the Main Street South venue on Friday, November 27, from 7 to 9 (apparently replacing the previously announced Speakercab show), and will be followed on Saturday, 7:30 to 9:30, by the classic rock band NOBODY’S BUSINESS.

Coming next month, DARRYL GREGORY, another great local talent, will have the 7 pm show on Wednesday, December 2.

*Music at Mocha this weekend will open with rock guitarist SAMMY B, who has been playing music since he was 10 years old. Showtime is 8 pm tonight.

Tomorrow night’s headliner will be KRISTIN RYAN, a Sandy Hook native and former student of Suzuki Music School, Julie’s Piano Workshop and Newtown Music Studio with Jackie Gaudet.  Having pursued a degree in music (and Russian studies) at Colgate University, Kristin is back in town and working on a solo album to feature her voice and acoustic guitar.

See what the well studied musician has learned in her travels on Saturday.

*Tickets will be going on sale this morning (November 20) for The American Carnage Tour, which includes sets by SLAYER, MEGADETH and TESTAMENT and will be at the Oakdale Theatre on Tuesday, February 9.

General admission pit access is $59.50, while reserved seating is $39.50. These tickets will be available through LiveNation.com.

*Meanwhile at Mohegan Sun Arena, a second RASCAL FLATTS show has been added. The band, with Darius Rucker opening, has already filled the house for Saturday, January 16, so the band will now be performing on Friday, January 15, as well (yes, with Rucker also opening that night).

Tickets for the new show have been priced at $85 and $115 and will also be on sale this morning at 10 through all TicketMaster vendors. If this show doesn’t also sell out, tickets will also be available through the casino’s box office beginning tomorrow morning at 10.

*Finally this week, a reminder that tickets for JOHN MAYER’s February 19 show at Mohegan Sun also go on sale this weekend. Tickets are $56 and $86 and will be available Saturday through TicketMaster beginning at 10, and then also through the venue’s box office starting 24 hours later if this show isn’t a sellout before then.

Michael Franti and Spearhead will open.

Until next week, I’ll be seeing you… on the road, where you’ll probably still find me bemoaning the fact that we now have to dial an area code for every phone number on the planet.

Questions and comments should be sent to Shannon Hicks c/o The Newtown Bee, 5 Church Hill Road, Newtown CT 06470, or shannon@thebee.com, or call the office at 426-3141. Shows listed at clubs are for ages 21 and over unless specified.

UPCOMING SHOWS

NOVEMBER 20 — The Adults at Proud Mary’s, Newtown; Sammy B at Mocha Coffee House, Sandy Hook; Less Than Jake at The Webster, Hartford, The Casualties and The Swellers opening; Lucy Kaplansky at Infinity Music Hall, Norfolk;

November 21 — Kristin Ryan at Mocha Coffee House; Molly Bryce at The Blue Z, Newtown; Jimmy Buffett & The Coral Reefer Band at Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasvile; Echo & The Bunnymen at Fairfield Theatre Company; Dan Hicks & The Hot Licks at Infinity Music Hall; The Way-Back Machine at Gates Restaurant & Bar, New Canaan;

November 22 — 311 at Mohegan Sun Arena, State Radio opening; Dan Hicks & The Hot Licks at Fairfield Theatre Company;

November 25 — Brand New at The Oakdale Theatre, Wallingford; Deep Banana Blackout at Toad’s Place, New Haven (all ages); Jeff Pitchell & Texas Flood with special guest Joe Bouchard at Infinity Music Hall; Hat City Blues Band at 55 Bank Street, New Milford;

November 27 — Jim Allen at The Blue Z; The Nerds at Toad’s Place, Covin, Dropshift and Shifting Red opening; Cheryl Wheeler at Infinity Music Hall; They Might Be Giants at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den;

November 28 — Nobody’s Business at The Blue Z; The Music of Led Zeppelin & The Music of Queen by Windborne Symphony, with Randy Jackson and Brody Dolyniuk, at The Oakdale Theatre, Wallingford;

November 29 — Hot Tuna (acoustic show) at The Ridgefield Playhouse.