The prelude of the “Oratorio,” written by Saint-Saens in 1858 when he 23, sets the scene for the Christmas story with the music evoking images of shepherds tending their flocks in the fields.

In the remaining movements, soloists represent different characters from the Christmas story while the chorus represents a multitude of angels. The final movement of the piece is a virtual hymn of praise of all creation in the presence of God.

The second half of the concert will feature traditional holiday favorites and a handbell choir. The selections will include “Sleigh Ride,” “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” “Over the River and Through the Woods” and an arrangement of “Jingle Bells” by Ray Charles.

7:30 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday at Everett Performing Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore Ave., Everett. Tickets are $16 and $14; 425-257-8600 or 888-257-3722 or go to www.everettchorale.org.

The Seattle Jazz Singers pack performances with passion and an emotional delivery that has kept them in demand at jazz clubs throughout the Puget Sound region and has made them guest artists with the Everett and Vancouver symphony orchestras.

The singers, mostly former members of Soundsation, the Edmonds Community College jazz choir, were brought together by Soundsation founder and former director Frank DeMiero.

Tonight, the singers perform “Tis the Swingin’ Season.” The concert will feature the Meadowdale Middle and High School Jazz Choirs under the direction of Kathy Miller and Jeff Horenstein.

7:30 tonight at Trinity Lutheran Church, 6215 196th St., SW, Lynnwood. Donations are accepted.

“Santa Baby”: Celebrating its 30th anniversary in a style that suits them, Seattle Men’s Chorus is pulling out new musical tunes — and doing new takes on old favorites — such as hilarious highlights from forgotten TV Christmas shows, a Bollywood carol and their own version of “Silent Night,” back by popular demand.

“Santa Baby” is the first show of the chorus’ 30-year anniversary season. The Seattle Men’s Chorus has grown to be the largest gay chorus in the world, with 365 members.

8 p.m. Saturday at Everett Civic Auditorium, 2415 Colby Ave., Everett; $25 to $65; 206-388-1400 or www.seattlemenschorus.org.

“Global Dance Party” is a high-energy combination of cultural and contemporary dance and live music from around the globe and features performers from Seattle Theatre Group’s “DANCE This” and “More Music @ The Moore.”

Among the artists will be The Gothard Sisters of Edmonds, who perform Irish step-dancing, fiddle and violin.

Greta, Willow and Solana Gothard have taken their Irish-influenced sound on tours across the country and have produced four CDs. This will be the second time this classically trained violin trio performs at The Moore.

The sisters will help fill out the musical bill for the evening, which includes rhythm and blues vocals, hip hop performances and Mexican folk dancers. Global Dance Party ends with a Pacific Northwest package of blended talent in a cross-cultural collaborative finale piece.

7:30 tonight at The Moore Theatre, 1932 Second Ave., Seattle. Tickets are $10. Call 877-784-4849 or go to www.stgpresents.org.

Theresa Goffredo: 425-339-3424; goffredo@heraldnet.com.