Pop the cork on 2017 with the best entertainment choices.
The countdown is on. Dec. 31 is only a few weeks away and we want to help you say goodbye
SLEATER-KINNEY: If you’re looking to rock your way into the New Year then, well, look no further. Sleater-Kinney, the Pacific Northwest trio consisting of vocalist-guitarists Corin Tucker and Carrie Brownstein and drummer Janet Weiss, is nothing less than one of the most powerful rock acts of all time. Think that’s overstating the matter? Just listen to the band’s late ’90s offerings — or even the group’s comeback album, 2015’s “No Cities to Love” — and then try to debate the matter. And Sleater-Kinney rocks even harder onstage than it does in the studio.
Details: 9 p.m.; The Masonic, San Francisco; $55$75; www.livenation.com
PRIMUS: Bay Area Les Claypool fans never have to spend much time deciding what they’re doing on New Year’s Eve. Their favorite bassist makes it easy on them, consistently lining up a gig on the last night of the year. This time around, fans will get a triple shot of Claypool, as the Bay Area rocker performs with three to 2016 in properly tuneful fashion.
We’ve rounded up some of the top concerts and shows happening in the Bay Area this New Year’s Eve. The offerings are typicallydi from verse, ranging f indie-rock royalty (Sleater-Kinney) to Philly soul different outfits — Primus, the Claypool Lennon Deliruo ium (featuring Sean Lennon) and Duo de Twang.
Details: 8 p.m.; Fox Theater, Oakland; $49.50-$69.50; www.ticketmaster.com
KASKADE: This house music master has twice been named “America’s Best DJ” (2011 and 2013) in DJ Times magazine. The Chicago native has also been nominated for several Grammy Awards. His most recent album is 2015’s “Automatic.”
Details: 8 p.m.; Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, San Francisco; $95-$250; www.ticketmaster.com www.ticketmaster.com
THE STYLISTICS: The Philly soul vocal act was a hit machine during the first half of the 1970s, turning out a
(Stylistics) to ska (Hepcat) and beyond.
Just pick your flavor, make your plans and then, most importantly, have a safe, happy New Year. Here are our New Year’s Eve picks. Shows are on Dec. 31 unless otherwise noted. dozen consecutive top 10 R&B smashes. Inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004, the Stylistics’ bestknown offerings include “You Are Everything,” “People Make the World Go Round,” “Break Up to Make Up” and “You Make Me Feel Brand New.”
Details: 8 p.m. Dec. 29, 8 and 10 p.m. Dec. 30, 8 and 11 p.m. Dec. 31; Yoshi’s, Oakland; $39-$99; www.yoshis.com.
MACEO PARKER: Funk fans won’t want to miss this mighty saxophonist, who is celebrating New Year’s Eve at the SFJazz Center for the third consecutive year. Parker is, of course, a first-tier funk legend who has collaborated with such talents as James Brown, George Clinton, Fred Wesley and Prince. R&B/pop vocalist Judith Hill is also on the bill.
Details: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 29-30, 8 and 10:30 p.m. Dec. 31, 7 p.m. Jan. 1; SFJazz Center; $20-$115; www.sfjazz.org
BIG FAT YEAR END KISS OFF COMEDY SHOW: The annual show features Bay Area comedians Will Durst, one of the best political yucksters going, Johnny Steele, Debi Durst and Michael Bossier (Deb and Mike), Mari Magaloni and Arthur Gaus. It all adds up to a night of no-holds-barred topical comedy, though who knows what they’ll be making fun of, it’s been such a noneventful year.
Details: Dec. 26-Jan. 3; performances in Martinez, Walnut Creek, San Jose, Pleasanton, Berkeley, Alameda and other locales; $20-$60; www. willdurst.com. COMEDY COUNTDOWN: This New Year’s Eve laugh fest features Emo Philips, Greg Fitzsimmons, Beth Stelling, Nick Youssef, Phil Hanley, Conor Kellicutt and host Gary Cannon.
Details: 7 and 10 p.m; Cobb’s Comedy Club, San Francisco; $40-$55; www. livenation.com
DEAD DREAMS: The legendary Fillmore is hosting a Grateful Dead dance party featuring DJ Rob Bleetstein (from Sirius/ XM), rare video from past Dead New Year’s Eve performances and, of course, a cool light show. The event celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Grateful Dead’s first New Year’s Eve gig at the venue.
Details: 9 p.m.; The Fillmore, San Francisco; $35; www.livenation.com
HEPCAT: Formed in 1989, this SoCal ska outfit signed with Hellcat Records in the late ’90s and released a pair of popular albums — “Right on Time” and “Push ’n Shove.” Hepcat still features vocalists Greg Lee and Alex Desert (whose acting credits include the TV shows “The Flash” and “Boy Meets World”).
Details: 9 p.m.; Slim’s, San Francisco; $40; www. slimspresents.com TOMMY CASTRO AND THE PAINKILLERS: The San Jose blues giant, who has performed alongside such legends of the genre as John Lee Hooker and B.B. King, is back to spend another New Year’s Eve at the Freight. Castro, one of the Bay Area’s most acclaimed blues artists, won the prestigious B.B. King Entertainer of the Year trophy in 2010. Zydeco accordionist Andre Thierry opens the show.
Details: 9 p.m.; Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse, Berkeley; $44-$48; www. thefreight.org THE BROTHERS COMATOSE: Don’t take that “Comatose” tag too seriously. This string band, led by actual brothers Ben and Alex Morrison, is actually well known for its energetic performances. Oakland Americana outfit T Sisters and The Rainbow Girls are also on the bill. Details: 9 p.m; Great American Music Hall, San Francisco; $40; www.slimspresents.com
JUSTICE: Dance your way into 2017 with this popular electronic music act. The Paris-based duo, consisting of Xavier de Rosnay and Gaspard Auge, will do a DJ set.
Details: 9 p.m.; San Francisco Armory; $69.50; www.axs.com THE FOUR FRESHMEN: The famed vocal group got its start in 1948, experienced its greatest commercial success in the ’50s and saw its last original member retire in the ’90s. Yet, today’s Four Freshmen are carrying on the tradition and wowing fans with their vocals.
Details: 8 p.m.; Bankhead Theater, Livermore; $50-$80; http://lvpac.org
GABRIEL IGLESIAS: The comedian also known as “Fluffy” favors self-deprecating, story-telling humor over political outrage and snark, which might be one reason why he has such a loyal following. On New Year’s, you can catch the performer, who has sold out arenas, at an intimate San Jose club.
Details: 6 and 10 p.m. Dec. 31, 7 p.m. Jan. 1; San Jose Improv; $100 New Year’s Eve, $50 Jan. 1; http://sanjose.improv.com
GREG PROOPS: This local favorite, who was raised in San Carlos and attended college in San Mateo and San Francisco, is an absolute improvisation ace. Many remember him for the TV show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”
Details: 8 and 10 p.m. Dec. 30, 7:30 and 10 p.m. Dec. 31; Punch Line, San Francisco; $25-$55;, www. livenation.com UNKNOWN MORTAL ORCHESTRA: This psychedelic indie-rock outfit is led by singer-songwriter-guitarist Ruban Nielson, whom some might remember from New Zealand’s experimental The Mint Chicks. The Orchestra’s latest album, “Multi-Love,” released in 2015.
Details: 9 p.m.; The Independent, San Francisco; $99; www.ticketfly.com