Mark Mann

Bigger than Jesus: Matisyahu, the Jewish reggae star, will do a four-night stand at the Music Hall of Williamsburg starting on Dec. 27.

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Compared to Christmas, Hanukkah has always lacked star power — until now.

From Dec. 27 through Dec. 30, yarmulked reggae singer Matisyahu (pictured) will take to the stage in Williamsburg, bringing the Crown Heights resident’s annual Hanukkah concert series, the Festival of Lights, to Brooklyn for the first time.

The Jewish crooner isn’t planning on belting out Hanukkah classics like “The Dreidel Song” at his holiday shows, but fans who attend the festival can expect a night that’s part-English, part-Yiddish, part-Hebrew and all party.

He’ll also light a menorah onstage every night.

For the dark-suited singer, ending his tour in Williamsburg isn’t without significance.

“I love Williamsburg,” he said. “When I’m in town, I ride my bicycle from Crown Heights to pray there every morning.”

And it’s only fitting for an artist whose fan base in Williamsburg includes Hasids and hipsters.

“It’s interesting to be playing [on the Northside of Williamsburg] because the hipsters are starting to penetrate into the Southside — so it’s kind of a cool flip to have it go the other way,” he said.

©2008 Community Newspaper Group