Itinerary: Blue Christmas

When Elvis sang, “Decorations of red on a green Christmas tree / Won’t mean a thing if you’re not here with me” in the 1950s, he seemed genuinely down about spending the holiday alone. Presley’s recording so popularized the 1945 song “Blue Christmas,” that the title phrase is commonly used nowadays to describe any emotional holiday slump. Local churches even hold “Blue Christmas” services to help those who are lonely or dealing with a loss at this time of year.

But if you do it right, a blue Christmas can be full of good music, good food and generally good times.

Elvis would approve.

*

Thursday

Start your blue Christmas with the Black Elvis, the latest persona created by Kool Keith, the artist also formerly known as Dr. Dooom and Dr. Octagon. The psychedelic, underground hip-hop hero’s “Black Elvis Kristmas” show at the House of Blues (8430 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7:30 p.m. $20. [323] 848-5100) should offer the fantasy equivalent of a month’s worth of “Nutcrackers.”

Keith’s known for his high-flying, stream-of-consciousness rapping, especially on his latest album--and major-label debut--”Black Elvis/Lost in Space.” He complements his Black Elvis persona with a plastic wig and beats that sound like B science-fiction-movie soundtracks. But somehow he makes it work. Rolling Stone called him “rap’s eccentric genius,” and Spin dubbed him “the William S. Burroughs of rap.”

*

Friday

Make breakfast the most important meal of Christmas Eve, with a meal at Blueberry (510 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica. [310] 394-7766). The cute little breakfast-and-lunch spot has all makings of a hearty brunch: pancakes, waffles, oatmeal, sticky buns, eggs “anywhichaway” or, for the lunch-minded, a tasty fried chicken salad. Go early: They’re planning to close at 2 p.m. for Christmas Eve.

Then, after you’ve finished any real last-minute shopping (and vow to never step foot in another mall on Dec. 24 ever again), head to the Long Beach Promenade--preferable after the stores start to close.

Local blues man Hook Herrera will be keeping the holiday crowds entertained at the Blue Cafe (210 Promenade, Long Beach, [562] 983-7111). Herrera, who started out playing accordion, picked up the guitar and eventually the harmonica as a kid and has been a sideman and bandleader (Hook and the Hitchhikers). He’ll play Friday and Saturday nights at 9:30. $10 cover.

*

Sunday

Go see the famous painting “Blue Boy” at the Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens (1151 Oxford Road, San Marino. 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sunday-Dec. 31. $8.50; $8 seniors; $6 students; ages 12 and younger, free. [626] 405-2100). The recognizable portrait by Thomas Gainsborough, done in the 1770s, is the highlight of Huntington’s impressive collection of 18th and 19th century British and French art.

Then stay in that cultural mood and go see the Broadway musical “It Ain’t Nothin’ but the Blues” (Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Westwood. Sunday, 2 and 7 p.m. Ends Jan. 2. $20 to $42.50. [310] 208-5454). The show was conceived by co-author, ensemble member and father figure Ron Taylor as a one-act high school touring project--but grew until it was off-Broadway, and then on. The Geffen run marks its Los Angeles debut. The cast of seven and six-piece band trace the evolution of blues, from folk music and gospel spirituals to Delta blues, Chicago jazz and American pop.

Robin Rauzi can be reached at robin.rauzi@latimes.com.