If part of holiday shopping includes getting bang for your buck, it’s tough to beat next week’s Xtreme Holiday Xtravaganza. Brimming with seasonal spirit, more than 20 of the area’s top musical acts will perform for a $20 ticket Wednesday, Dec. 12, at the Morrison Center for the Performing Arts.

For the second year, the Xtreme Holiday Extravaganza doubles as the Concert for Cause from 94.9 FM “The River.” Through voting, the station’s listeners decided that proceeds will benefit Interfaith Sanctuary for the homeless. Last year’s sold-out event, held at the jam-packed Big Easy, generated more than $20,000, according to “River” program director Dan McColly.

The 3 -hour music marathon is the sort of informal shindig where fans will be able to come and go as they please, sipping liquor, wine and beer, and socializing in between live performances at the acoustically exceptional Morrison Center. The Idaho Shakespeare Festival’s wild Fool Squad, jazz singer Curtis Stigers and Ken Bass and Tim Johnstone from 94.9 FM “The River” will host.

Musicians such as Stigers, Dale Keys, Bank, Ned Evett, Marcus Eaton and The Divas of Boise will strive for a hugely diverse, entertaining variety show that’s a little bit country, a little bit rock ‘n’ roll - and all charitable. It should make for a well-attended evening that’s equally heartwarming for fans and musicians. Stigers says he created the Xtreme Holiday Xtravaganza not only to showcase the area’s musical diversity, but to help foster a sense of artistic unity.