Photos of Old Williamsburg; Luhrmann's La Boheme; Arne Svenson's Sock Monkeys; Los Straitjackets; the Go; Maplewood; Genesis P-Orridge; "History of Girl"; Rye Coalition

Baz Luhrmann's the kind of artist you either really love or can't stand. Most people who saw Moulin Rouge had a visceral reaction to the movie's frenetic visuals and sensory overload. Now Luhrmann has set out to remake Puccini's La Boheme. Originally set in early-19th century Paris, this Broadway version features three alternating casts of beautiful Bohemians living in Paris in 1957, set amidst the swinging jazz clubs and cafes of Sartre, Nico and Sagan, sung in Italian with English surtitles. Luhrmann's cast embodies the emotional intensity of this love story with a fervor that would make Puccini proud. You can't help but be moved. The lavish, elaborate set design gorgeously evokes the Left Bank, and the orchestra?conducted expertly by Constantine Kitsopoulos?plays the lovely score to perfection. Bonus: you really don't have to read all the surtitles to keep up with the story. At the Broadway Theatre. 1681 B'way (betw. 52nd & 53rd Sts.), 239-6200.

About a month ago we were having dinner with some arty pals, including photographer Arne Svenson, when he showed us his new book, Sock Monkeys. Which is what it says it is: scores of portraits of different sock monkeys, all from the collection of one clearly odd man he's friendly with (and it's not Tony Millionaire). No text, just monkeys. Cool. Who knew sock monkeys came in all sizes, races, styles and colors? Well, now you do. This Thurs., Dec. 12, 6-8 p.m., is the opening reception for "Arne Svenson: Sock Monkeys," where the Tribeca photographer exhibits a barrelful of the original photos from the book. Wonder if instead of the usual white wine they'll be serving banana daiquiris? At Julie Saul Gallery, through Jan. 11. 535 W. 22nd St. (betw. 10th & 11th Aves.), 627-2410.

We can't think of a more fun way to ring in the holiday season than with an evening of jangly old-school guitar rock from Los Straitjackets. Looking like Mexican wrestlers but sounding like a gorgeous hybrid of Duane Eddy, Link Wray and the Ventures, the Nashville cats are touring behind their new Christmas LP 'Tis the Season for Los Straitjackets, featuring twangy covers of well-roasted chestnuts like "Jingle Bell Rock," "Here Comes Santa Claus" and so on. As long as they throw in some of their earlier classics like "Pacifica," "Lonely Apache" and their wack rendition of the theme from Titanic, we're there. The Pontani Sisters are along to do their adorable shake 'n' shimmy routine as well. At Southpaw, Fri., Dec. 13, 125 5th Ave. (betw. St. John's & Sterling Sts.), Brooklyn, 718-230-0236.

Baby, it's cold outside. But it'll be warm in the Bowery Ballroom Fri., Dec. 13, with brothers Bobby Harlow, John Krautner, Marc Fellis and the mystery member (a Spinal Tap post that has, in the past, been home to Dion Fischer, Steve Nawara and even Jack White?they asked him to leave) of Motor City music giants the Go, after getting a sweaty start Thurs. at the Mercury Lounge. They've got a new album coming soon filled with so many freak-outs it'll make all the kids wanna skip school, even if they already graduated. Sound deep? Wait till you hear their new single, "Capricorn." Locals the Mooney Suzuki headline but don't miss these Detroiters. 6 Delancey St. (betw. Bowery & Chrystie St.), 533-2111; $12.

Maplewood, the latest project of that whole Champale/Nada Surf/Koester family, is, as the fellas in the band like to say, "blissfully evoking a joyride up the Pacific Coast Highway." They're some guys who grew up listening to the Minutemen now playing around with acoustic guitars, sometimes cracking themselves up in their Park Slope studio, singing about Indian summers. Members include Champale frontman and New Yorker contributor Mark Rozzo, Koester's Steve Koester and Winterville's Craig Schoen. (Maplewood co-founder and former Fuzztone Ira Elliott is currently on tour with his primary band, Nada Surf.) Given the band's background as done-it-all hipsters, you might think Maplewood is just a goof, but it's really not. It's music that makes you wish you were in Cali, or at least that you have a working fireplace. Maplewood plays Sat., Dec. 14 at Pete's Candy Store. 709 Lorimer St. (betw. Frost & Richardson Sts.), Williamsburg, 718-302-3770.

If you've had any contact whatsoever with the more dangerous fringes of underground culture from the late 70s onward, you've no doubt encountered the work of Genesis P-Orridge. Whether through Throbbing Gristle, Psychic TV, Coum Transmissions, T.O.P.Y., the pages of RE/Search books or countless other performances, writings and artworks, Genesis has always been around, and he's always been manipulating himself and others in unexpected ways (last we heard he was undergoing a sex change). This Sun., Dec. 15, he and a few DJs, musicians, drag queens and freaks will be celebrating the release of the hefty new Soft Skull Press book, Painful But Fabulous: The Lives and Art of Genesis P-Orridge, which is jam-packed with artwork, photos, news clippings, interviews and essays recounting a 30-year career quite unlike any other. From 6 to whenever at Tonic. 107 Norfolk St. (betw. Delancey & Rivington Sts.), 358-7501, $8.

Fan of Inside the Actors Studio? How does a live version strike you, with Janeane Garofalo hosting and all the guests being female musicians? That's what you get Sun., Dec. 15, at 8 p.m., as "History of Girl" debuts at Northsix. The terrible name will turn off most men (why not "History of a Girl?") but the opening show looks to be fun, as Garofalo sits down with singer-songwriter, indie-rock darling and Kurt Cobain crush Mary Lou Lord. Co-produced and written by Mike Azerrad (Our Band Could Be Your Life), the show will at least give you a chance actually to make out something through the Northsix PA system. 66 N. 6th St. (betw. Kent & Wythe Aves.), Williamsburg, 718-599-5103, $10.

'Tis the season to drink spiked apple cider with friends and, um, listen to rock 'n' roll at high volumes. Brooklyn-based Tee Pee Records is celebrating with a night of dirty fun at Northsix on Tues., Dec. 17. Headlining the evening is one of Jersey's finest, Rye Coalition (singer Ralph Cuseglio once boasted from the stage, "We're the best New York City band and we're from Jersey"). Songs like "The Higher the Hair, the Closer to God," "Heart of Gold, Jacket of Leather" and "The Lipstick Game" reflect the band's sardonic sense of humor. They've been playing for years, yet somehow sound better every time. Cuseglio can gyrate like the King, even though his hair is more like that singer in Creed's. Also on the bill is the mighty fine Bad Wizard. 66 N. 6th St. (betw. Kent & Wythe Aves.), Williamsburg, 718-599-5103; 9:30, $10.