There's always room for new traditions come the holiday season — sure, we're all going to watch the usual rounds of It's A Wonderful Life and A Christmas Story, but why not sneak in a little Elf for freshness? Still, thanks to all the merry elves, we have Charles Phoenix to remind us of the splendor of seasons past. The L.A. institution is putting on the year's last performance of Charles Phoenix's Retro Holiday Slide Show this weekend at the Egyptian, and it's sure to be as festive and educational a presentation as ever. Phoenix will surely emcee the show, with his charismatically daffy style, unspooling a display of vintage Americana packed with his personal collection of Kodachrome slides of midcentury yuletide goodness, not to mention glimpses at other holidays past, from New Year's straight through Thanksgiving. Put on your best jingle bells (or, if you've got them, some Mad Men–style chic duds in shades of red and green … and don't forget the swizzle sticks!) and head down for a jolly history lesson.

Sun., Dec. 20, 2 p.m., 2009

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