18 December 2025

BISS List 12.18.25 Spotlight on Tom Constanten Benefits + The Best of BISS This Week

Happy Hanukkah, BISS Listers. 💜

As the candles keep lighting up the darkest stretch of the year, I keep coming back to what this season represents. Finding light when things feel heavy, choosing warmth when the world can feel harsh, and believing that even a small flame can make a real difference. This year has held a lot of beauty and also a lot of heartbreak, and I am holding space for both. My wish as we move through this season is simple. More kindness, more care for one another, and more moments that remind us we are not alone.

Do you love the BISS List? I have been sharing it freely for more than 20 years and providing ongoing support to musicians, venues, and this community because I believe live music should be accessible to everyone. I want to keep it free to the general public for many years to come, and to do that, I need your help.

A huge thank you to everyone who has already contributed, shared, or helped spread the word during our year-end fundraising. Because of that support, things are looking positive, and we will be able to carry the BISS List into early 2026. If you know anyone looking to make a tax-deductible 501(c)(3) charitable donation to support live music and community, please send them our way. And if you want more information or have questions, just reply to this email. I am always happy to share more.

On My Radar this week: I will be at every one of these shows this week, plus an extra holiday party or two, because the season is officially in full swing. If you are out and about, odds are good we will cross paths.

Thu 12/18: ORGONE w/ Smoked Out Soul @ The Independent (*WIN*)
Fri 12/19: Marmot King’s Game Night Holiday Edition @ Manny’s Cafe
Fri 12/19: Tony Glaser and The Party + Space Heater @ Ivy Room (*WIN*)
Sat 12/20: 13th Annual Tie Dye Santa with Curtis Family Band @ Love on Haight
Sat 12/20: The Mother Hips: Hipmas Annual Holiday Show w/ Elliott Peck Band @ GAMH
Sat 12/20: RonKat Spearman’s KATDELIC @ Boom Boom Room (*WIN*)
Sun 12/21: The Allman Betts Family Revival @ The Fillmore
Sun 12/21: Bella Rayne Band with Joe Marcinek @ Boom Boom Room (*WIN*)
Mon 12/22: Tom Constanten Benefit with Scott Guberman & Friends @ O’Reilly’s Pub (*WIN*)
Tue 12/23: Tom Constanten Benefit A Grateful Dead Night @ Ashkenaz (*WIN*)

For the full story on these Tom Constanten benefit shows and how the community is rallying around a true Bay Area legend, scroll down to the Spotlight section below.

For even more shows, ticket giveaways, and upcoming highlights, check the Best of BISS, the Full Calendar, or the Win Tickets page.

Have you marked your calendar for this one yet? Sat Dec 27th: Karl Denson’s Sexy 69th Birthday Celebration at The Fillmore (*WIN*). Karl just added Jackie Greene to the lineup alongside Jelly Joseph. This birthday throwdown is officially a must. Read the spotlight below for more info!

In case you missed it last week, we shared a bunch of ideas for what’s happening around the Bay on New Year’s Eve.

New Year’s Eve Hot SF List: We pulled together a curated Best of BISS New Year’s Eve Hot List with our top picks to ring in 2026. Start here if you want the highlights.
More New Year’s Eve Options: Looking for more choices? Last week’s BISS List was all about New Year’s Eve and included a much deeper lineup across the Bay.

Wishing you a bright Hanukkah, an early Merry Christmas, and happy holidays, however you celebrate. This will be my last BISS before Christmas, and your next one will land next Friday (12/26) with a double list through New Year’s Eve and the first week of the new year. Until then, may there be more light, more music, and more love all around you.

~ Pamela aka Miss BISS
#seeyouattheshows

SPOTLIGHT ON TOM CONSTANTEN

Tom Constanten Benefits

Dec 22nd @ O’Reilly’s Pub

Dec 23rd @ Ashkenaz

The Bay Area music community comes together for a series of benefit shows honoring Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and Grateful Dead keyboardist Tom Constanten, raising funds to support his medical and living expenses as he battles lung cancer.

Tom joined the Grateful Dead in 1968 and helped shape their sound on landmark albums Aoxomoxoa and Live/Dead. For more than five decades, he has lived a life devoted to music, teaching, and exploration, always driven by creativity rather than financial reward. Now, the community that has drawn inspiration from his work is showing up for him.

The shows will feature performances, collaborations, and stories from members of the extended Grateful Dead family and Bay Area roots musicians, celebrating Tom’s lasting impact as a performer, composer, and teacher.

As Tom shared, “At $250 a pop, the copays are coming thick and fast.” These nights are about honoring his journey and giving back. Can’t make the show? You can still support Tom through GoFundMe.

SPOTLIGHT ON SEXY 69TH

Karl Denson’s
Sexy 69th Birthday Celebration

Dec 27th @ The Fillmore

The renowned saxophonist, known for his self-titled Tiny Universe project, The Greyboy Allstars, and touring roles backing The Rolling Stones is coming to The Fillmore for an epic 69th birthday show. Featuring Jackie Greene & Jelly Joseph. This party will be one for the ages!

Expect big grooves, tight musicianship, and the kind of soulful sax-led moments that turn a show into a full-room vibe. If you want to close out the year with something loud, joyful, and impossible to stand still through—this is the one.