Dancing About ARCHITECTURE

There was a time in the not-so-distant past where Christmas albums as a whole were the norm. We’d put on Johnny Mathis or Nat King Cole and decorate the tree or have Christmas dinner (sorry my Jewish pals, but there’s not a great Channukah album) and memories based on a single artist were formed. But with the advent (pun intended, Catholics!) of the reign of single downloads, families and friends can make their memories custom with Christmas mixes. So why not tip some gayness into the holiday music nog with some queer and queer-friendly holiday tunes in their playlist this year? There’s a bit for everyone in the family.

For the jokester aunt or uncle, try The Superions’ “Fruitcake.” Who else but Fred Schneider and his loungy sideband could come up with a campy party track about the holidays’ biggest villain?

Daniel Cartier’s “This Christmas (Stay) ” is off his quirky and imaginative 2009 This Christmas album, but use this key track for that sister who needs weaning off that damn Jason Mraz CD and onto some substance. While we’re bringing down the tone, toss in Casey Stratton’s gorgeous rendition of “In the Bleak Midwinter” off his Winter Moon CD. If she’s a fan of Kurt from Glee, his flawlessly emotional delivery will hit her spot. While you’re under the Winter Moon, try out another handsome gay Midwestern singer/songwriter Ross Crean. He’s premiering his new single, “The Winter King” December 7 on iTunes and on www.rosscrean.com. Like much of Ross’ music, Winter King is a beautifully haunting piano ballad with more than a touch of the old country.

Whoa babes, its getting dark in here. Let’s bring up their mood with some outlandishly campy RuPaul. Yes, Ru has a Christmas CD called Ho Ho Ho. I’m picking the standout “RuPaul The Red-Nosed Drag Queen” to blow up your Christmas tree skirt! Follow it up with Pet Shop Boys’ rework of “It Doesn’t Always Snow At Christmas” off their last EP, Christmas. Your closeted father and campy mom will go nuts.

Then relax with your Disarrono by the fire with Kylie Minogue’s new traditional arrangement of “Let It Snow,” A Fine Frenzy’s delicate “Oh Blue Christmas,” and finally Annie Lennox. No single here. Get her entire album, A Christmas Cornucopia. Some things are best left to the old ways; download the full album when it’s that good.

Find downloads and streams of these tracks at www.danceaboutarc.wordpress.com