The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Celebrate the new year with music, parties
It is the time for the party of the year everyone waits for — New Year’s Eve. There are plenty of happenings in the blues venues across the state and in the region. In addition, weekend gigs remain strong.
Over at 41 Bridge Street Live, it is the Great Gatsby New Year’s Eve Party with James Montgomery and Christine Ohlman. The party was so well-received last year that it is returning by popular demand.
With two show stoppers providing the entertainment, the evening will provide a big back drop to 2019. They will be backed by the talented James Montgomery Band (David Hull, George McCann and Jeff Thomson). Add a fabulous horn section and special guests, and this fab band will set the stage for a night of songs from all eras including soulful blues and rock and roll. So grab your family and friends together, dress up, put on your dancing shoes, and be ready to let these great artists take you through time and into The New Year.
NRBQ’s New Year's Eve Party takes place at Infinity Music Hall, Norfolk. Saturday, Big Al Anderson & the Floor Models are playing.
The Turning Point in Piermont, New York does New Year’s Eve with Popa Chubby and His Band featuring Dave Keyes. A rough, gruff, and tough bluesman to the core, his sound it is said is like the Stooges meet Buddy Guy or Jimi Hendrix meets Robert Johnson. He knows no musical genre boundaries. And even on stage many boundaries are rare. He will rock you. Throw in some funk — he’s at ease playing “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” to B.B. King’s “Rock Me Baby.”
His set of originals are compelling too. His signature soul-shouting and then those pin-pricks of electric lead that are like acupuncture for the soul will keep you paying attention.
The club has a full weekend going up to NYE. Friday it is Carlos Colina and the Grind. Then The Band Band plays Saturday and again Sunday at 4 pm.
FTC Stage One brings in the North Mississippi Allstars for New Year’s Eve. For more than 20 years, Luther and Cody Dickinson have made it their mission to keep alive the sound of the Mississippi’s hill country blues; they do that without being strict traditionalists. As the North Mississippi Allstars, they’ve soaked their songs in raw, unadulterated rock ‘n’ roll while stirring in fatback funk, slippery soul and righteous gospel to reshape and push the blues into contemporary relevance.
The Towne Crier Café in nearby Beacon’s New Year’s Eve Celebration is led by the Slam Allen Band. He is joined by Willa & Company and Dan Brother Band. Allen can charm an audience like no other.
For New Year's Eve, The Acoustic Café has Nardy Boy and Steep Grade, while Black-Eyed Sally's gives you a soulful night with The Mighty Soul Drivers.
Some other New Year’s Eve possibilities include Tiernan's Bar & Restaurant with Jason and Red Ball Express or New Year's Eve with The Red Hots at Basso Cafe Restaurant & Bar.
Toad's Place has longtime favorite Max Creek, assisted by Creamery Station. Howie (Eldridge) & The Soul Potatoes with Paul Gabriel are at Twisted Vine Restaurant. And the list goes on.
On New Year’s Day, Johnny & The East Coast Rockers will be at Bill's Seafood, starting at 2 p.m.
If you want to venture out before New Year’s Eve, there are plenty of choices. Infinity Music Hall, Hartford has Big Al Anderson & the Floor Models on Friday and Saturday, it is Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes. At FTC Stage One on Sunday, Popa Chubby brings his show to town.
Saturday, The Hungry Tiger is having its End of Year Party with Richie & The Red Hot Blues.
Mitchell Leighton writes that the Front Row Band is hosting a new Thursday evening open mic at the Columbus Park Bocci Club in Meriden, 7-11 p.m. This is a private club with plenty of parking in a safe and a friendly, smoke free environment. They’ll be looking for bands to alternate hosting open mics with FRB. Let him know if you would like to get in the rotation.
There are other venues hosting New Year’s Eve celebration with all kinds of music and activities. Find something you like or sounds interesting and go. Go out and support live music and make one of your resolutions to help keep Connecticut full of live music by attending the local shows. When the big acts come to town, they will know this is a state to travel to.
Best in the New Year from Blues Beat.
Get the complete Blues Beat schedule on Thursday at the blog http://bluesbeatnews.wordpress.com/. Any questions or comments should be sent to Domenic Forcella at TWBlus@aol.com.