New Year’s bash: no booze, open stage
At Front Porch Music, there is an informal, inclusive slant to New Year’s Eve.
Unique Dec. 31 celebrations have been a tradition at the acoustic music haven in Valparaiso.
This year’s event to welcome 2015 begins at 8 p.m. inside the intimate venue at 505 E. Lincolnway.
“It’s an alternative to the drinking festivities that everyone else offers,” said Chad Clifford, owner of Front Porch Music. “It’s designed to be for all ages.”
This nonalcoholic party rolls out coffee, tea and soda pop. Nonalcoholic champagne is the designated drink to toast the new year at midnight.
Music will be supplied under a come-one, come-all performance policy.
“It’s open to anybody that wishes to perform, whether they’re a seasoned professional or it’s their first time on stage,” said Clifford, lead singer for the Crawpuppies, a popular Northwest Indiana rock band.
“Everyone is welcome, and they’re all treated with respect and kindness,” Clifford said, explaining the open-stage concept for New Year’s Eve.
Mami Matsuda, of Valparaiso, will host the Wednesday get-together, and also sing at it.
She said “progressive folk” describes her acoustic music.
“It’s more of a contemporary style,” said Matsuda, assistant manager at Front Porch Music.
Matsuda is planning to dish her own original material Wednesday, as well as cover versions of songs. She is known for putting her own spin on popular tunes from the 1970s and 1980s.
Matsuda has enjoyed the New Year’s Eve experience at Front Porch Music over the years.
“I get to listen to all sorts of music,” the guitarist said. “We are like a family for the night. It’s just a safe place for everybody to be.”
Clifford said sitting back and relaxing is also part of the night.
“Some people just come to listen,” he said.
The admission charge for listen- ers is $5; it’s $4 for performers.
“You’ll hear everything from folk to rock ‘n’ roll, to blues, to bluegrass,” said Clifford, a Portage resident who noted classical fare is likewise welcomed.
Those participating in the open stage can recite poetry, do a reading, sing without instrument accompaniment — even dance.
Most musicians who have taken advantage of the New Year’s Eve open stage play guitar, but Clifford cited the use of a piano — and more.
“We’ve had people that play banjo and people that bring horns in,” said Clifford, a guitarist.
He indicated that those performing songs typically get to do two or three of them, sometimes more.
While known for selling acoustic guitars and other musical instruments, Front Porch Music also happens to be a venue that has hosted nationally established folk and acoustic acts.
It has even presented famous artists from the world of rock ‘n’ roll: Donovan, and Peter Tork of the Monkees.
The booze-free, open-stage events at Front Porch Music have ushered in many new years.
They offer various snacks for sale.