Jill McLane Baker | Kalamazoo Gazette

PORTAGE -- The cashew crunch and pecan crunch at Chocolatea are deceiving.

They look like peanut brittle but are soft and taste like toffee. Store owner Polly Kragt has some available daily for customers to taste. Both items cost $14.99 per pound.

"The Spirit" (PG-13) -- A good-looking but clunky chunk of eye candy with Gabriel Macht playing the comic-book hero who fights the evil Octopus (Samuel L. Jackson) in between wooing a bevy of seductive sirens. Full review in Friday's entertainment section. 108 minutes. (GNS). Rave Cityplace 14, Kalamazoo 10, Celebration! Crossroads, M-89 Cinema in Otsego. B-

The Ark Band.

Czar's

505 Pleasant St., St. Joseph, (269) 271-5219.

THU -- Comedy Night. 

FRI -- Jamaica Me Crazy Friday with Ark Band.

SAT -- Fusion, '70s/'80s covers.

The new year is upon us, and economic prognosticators are shouting at anyone who will listen that the woes will continue.

Between the recession and holiday spending, people are looking for more and more ways to make their money last in '09. And with the way the winter has started, it looks like it will be a long, harsh one. So when you finally venture out of the house for a night out with friends, we thought we'd bail you out with a few ideas.

Background >> It's Christmas.

Question >> Which is better: a fake Christmas tree or a real one? Why? What kind of tree do you have?

"A Christmas Carol" -- Ted Kistler's annual stage adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic ghost story of Christmas, through Dec. 29, The New Vic Theatre, 134 E. Vine St., Kalamazoo. $25. 381-3328 or www.newvictheatre.org.

Enjoy the Celtic harp music of Erica Holcomb, along with tea and refreshments at the Richland Area Community Center at 2 p.m. on Dec. 28.

Celtic Concert and Tea -- Edinburgh-based Celtic harpist and vocalist Erica Holcomb, with refreshments from Tudor House Tea, 2 p.m. Dec. 28, Richland Area Community Center, 9400 East CD Ave., Richland. $15. Tickets available on-site and at Tudor House Tea, 230 Glendale Blvd., Parchment. 629-9430 and 629-4896.

Ann Arbor's The Macpodz will perform New Year's Eve at Papa Pete's.

If you're still making up your mind about where to spend the final minutes of 2008, here are a few suggestions of area parties. We probably didn't get 'em all, but it's a good start. Wherever you end up Wednesday night, have a safe and happy New Year:

The Tom Knific Quartet will perform at The Union Friday and Saturday.

Recover from holiday overindulgence with some dancing, cheer on the Broncos in the Texas Bowl, and flash back a couple months with a holiday costume party: these are just a few of the fun events happening this week at area bars, pubs and clubs.

Wilco guitarist Jeff Tweedy.

The following are listings for upcoming concerts and other events. Tickets for most of these shows may be purchased at Ticketmaster outlets or by calling 373-7000 or going to www.ticketmaster.com.

For many people, Christmas Day is a day of joy, meant to be spent nestled in a circle of friends and family, all of whom have brought exactly the presents you were hoping for -- as well as plenty of delicious food and drink.

OPENING FRIDAY

"Seven Pounds" (PG-13) -- Ben (Will Smith) is an IRS agent with a bad past that leaves him depressed and guilt-ridden. His plan to help seven strangers is complicated when he meets and falls in love with Emily (Rosario Dawson), who has a heart condition. 124 minutes. Rave Cityplace 14, Kalamazoo 10, Celebration! Crossroads, Three Rivers 6, W. Columbia 7 in Battle Creek.

Mississippi Heat bandleader Pierre Lacocque was born in Israel in 1952. His father is a Protestant minister and Old Testament scholar.

KALAMAZOO -- To warm up for the winter's Budweiser Blues Series, the State Theatre is bringing some Mississippi Heat on Friday.

The band, which features vocalist Inetta Visor and frequent guest guitarist Carl Weathersby, was founded in 1991 by Pierre Lacocque, a theologian's son who found salvation in a harmonica.

"Voices" is a random, nonscientific survey conducted by Gazette correspondent Eric Cook.

Background >> NBC recently announced that after Jay Leno steps down from hosting "The Tonight Show" he will star in a new show premiering this fall and starting at 10 p.m.

Question >> Do you think the show is a good idea? Will you watch it?

Mattawan
Pharmacy technician

"If they cancel the dramas at 10 and replace them with Jay, I think the ratings will increase. I don't think the dramas are that popular anymore and Jay has a large following, so I think it is a good idea. I think a lot of the people who can't stay up late enough to watch Jay will tune in. I will probably at least give the show a try when it comes on."

"Whip"

Label: Audio Dregs Records.

Genre: Electronic/pop.

My take: This is the fourth album by Dim Dim, a.k.a. Jerry Dimmer, and his infectious samples/mixes are relaxing and oh, so weird. The album is a sound kaleidoscope featuring everything from spacey guitars, crazy-child laughter, weird monster-like vocals, samples of symphonies, steel drums and literally everything in between. The variety makes this album one that you have to listen to the whole way through.