Tonight at Biscuits and Blues (401 Mason St.), legendary New Orleans pianist, Henry Butler performs solo piano, combining the classical and jazz elements he absorbed at Louisiana School for the Blind and Southern University with the gospel, blues and R&B sounds he heard growing up in New Orleans. (8pm & 10pm shows)

Saturday Grab a boombox and head on over to Mission Dolores Park (18th and Dolores) for Unsilent Night 2006, composer Phil Kline’s annual free, all-volunteer outdoor boombox holiday concert. A beautiful, mobile piece of ambient public art, Kline distributes tapes and CDs for participants to play in their boomboxes, then the group begins the piece, strolling a mile-long route though the Mission, Noe, and Castro districts. The event will be held rain or shine. (7 - 8:30pm)

In the East Bay, also on Saturday it's the Music Nightmare Before Christmas Benefit show with all proceeds going to the Alameda Food Bank. Going down at the Starry Plough (3101 Shattuck Ave. near Ashby BART) in Berkeley, this event promises, "Lots of damaged music all night from the likes of Moe! Staiano, Lumper/Splitter, Rent Romus, Deus Machina, Bunny Numpkins and the Kill Blow Up Reaction, The Noodles, Alan Korn and Rebecca Seeman. PLUS a grand finale by The Island of Misfit Music Orchestra - Led by King Moonracer Himself." (9pm)

On Sunday it wouldn't be a proper SF holiday without a Chicken John event. At 12 Galaxies (2565 Mission at 22nd), it's A Chaos Christmas Carol with Chicken John and friends, a thinly veiled game show that's actually an opportunity to unload unwanted items disguised as presents. Winners and losers both get presents. Bring one or two wrapped items for the show, or come empty handed, though it might be less entertaining if you do. Krob DJ's, Dr. Hal dispenses the gifts, Chicken John is the host. (10pm)

All weekend long there's the 14th Annual Evening of Kung Pao Kosher Comedy, Jewish comedy on Christmas in a Chinese Restaurant (the word "kosher" here modifies the word comedy, and is not descriptive of the restaurant's food). The venue is the New Asia Restaurant (772 Pacific Ave in Chinatown). Comedians include Cathy Ladman, Stephanie Blum, Dan Ahdoot, and the event's founder, Lisa Geduldig. (shows at 6pm and 9:30pm)