HOLIDAYS / VALLEY WEEKEND : EXOTICA

If you’re looking for that last-minute gift for the weird one in the family--you know, the one who listens to music when he could be watching TV--here’s an idea.

Gregg Miner of Van Nuys has produced an album of Christmas music performed on his own private collection of rare and exotic musical instruments. Miner calls his collection the Miner Museum of Vintage, Exotic and Just Plain Unusual Musical Instruments.

Miner, who works in the aerospace industry, started collecting acoustic instruments in the early 1970s after his high school infatuation with hard rock began to fade. He has researched, played and sometimes restored each of his 100 instruments.

In “A Christmas Collection” Volumes 1 and 2, each volume has a CD accompanied by a full-color 52-page booklet. It’s easy to see that “A Christmas Collection” is not a commercial venture as much as a love affair between a man and his instruments.

Miner has recorded familiar Christmas songs using small ensembles of instruments taken from his private collection. The arrangements are accessible, though the instrumentation can sometimes be esoteric.

Imagine “Jingle Bells” performed on a trio of Dobros or “We Three Kings of Orient Are” played on the Egygtian oud or “The Little Drummer Boy” on the Indian sitar.

The booklets feature photos of the instruments used in the recordings along with Miner’s informed, loving and sometimes humorous musings on the histories and characteristics of the various instruments.

* “A Christmas Collection” Volumes 1 and 2 each sell for $16.95. Each CD comes with a 52-page booklet. Available at several local record stores or call (818) 988-8340.

DON WE NOW . . .

Last year, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles called its holiday show at the Alex Theater “Don We Now . . . “ This year, the title “Seasoned Greetings” isn’t as clever, but the show features Jeff Smith of PBS’s “The Frugal Gourmet” as host.

In keeping with the concert’s theme, the 170-member ensemble will serve a veritable banquet of holiday music, including traditional and new favorites. Jon Bailey is the ensemble’s artistic director.

* The Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles presents “Seasoned Greetings” at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale. Tickets are $15-$30. Call (800) 233-3123.

MORE HOLIDAY FARE

Many holiday programs have already come and gone, but there are a few still going on this weekend.

The Center Stage at the Enchanted Forest, 20929 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills, presents “The Fa La-La-La Follies! (A Musical Mishmash of Holiday Mirth)” at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Ends Dec. 31. Tickets are $15 general, $12 seniors and children. Call (818) 716-7202.

Glendale Centre Theatre, 324 N. Orange St., Glendale, concludes its annual production of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” with performances at 8 tonight and Friday, and 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $13 (tonight and Saturday afternoon); $15.75 (Friday and Saturday night). Call (818) 244-8481.

Granada Theatre, 18167 Chatsworth St., Granada Hills, presents “The Farmdale Avenue Housing Estate Townwomen’s Guild Dramatic Society’s Production of A Christmas Carol,” a farce based on the classic, at 8 tonight (no meal), $10; 8 p.m. Friday (no meal), $12.50; 7 p.m. Saturday (dinner), $19. Call (818) 363-6887.