It’s scary how quickly New Year’s Eve is approaching. It’s almost 2011, and if you are like me, you haven’t figured out what you are going to do. Well, here are a few tips shows that you can still decide to head out to!
PRIMUS AT THE FOX THEATER!
w/ The Residents (12/30)
w/ Dead Kenny G’s (12/31)
11 years ago, I spent my New Year’s Eve at the Henry J Kaiser Arena in Oakland (RIP!), enjoying Primus as they did their annual New Year’s Eve Freakout. If I had known that it was going to be well over a decade before I got to experience this again, I would’ve been a bit more sober for it. Anyhow, we’ve got two nights to make up for it, and on the first night, we get a opening treat from the legendary bay area innovators The Residents. The 2nd night gets us two Les Claypool sets: 1 Primus & 1 Frog Bridgade, plus noise/jazz group The Dead Kenny G’s rounding out the bill.
The Dresden Dolls, Pomplamoose at The Warfield
The cabaret/punk duo is on its first full scale tour in four years, and they brought along Pomplamoose, a band that is known for its innovative films as well as never actually playing live.
The 15th Annual Comedy Countdown at Palace Of Fine Arts
After 15 years, maybe it’s time to try out this Bay Area tradition. We’ve got a headlining set by the great Nick Thune, with support from Laurie Kilmartin, Sklar Brothers, Shane Mauss, Charlyne Yi, and hosted by the Bay Area’s own Joe Klocek. We’ve even got live music from the Lee Vilensky Trio, doing surf rock in between comedy sets!
The Coup, Rupa & The April Fishes, Lyrics Born at The New Parish
The Coup are a rare hip hop group where the live show is equally as impressive as the records. And, since Boots is splitting his time between this main act and Street Sweeper Social Club, we don’t get The Coup live very often anymore.
Nerf Herder, The Hooks, Sassy!! at Bottom Of The Hill
Do you remember Nerf Herder? Because I do, and you should refresh yourself with their brilliance. Their brand of witty pop punk should make for a really fun NYE show.
Chris Isaak at The Fillmore
Chris Isaak gets a bad rap sometimes. Yes, he had one huge hit in the 90’s, then a TV show, and that’s been about it that has been on the mainstream radar. But, he has been on the road pretty much nonstop, honing one of the best live acts in the business.
Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers, Casino Royale, JP & the Rhythm Chasers, Mr. Lucky & The Cocktail Party featuring Ralph Carney, Kitty Kitty Bang Bang Burlesque, and special appearances by the Girl in the Fishbowl at Bimbo’s 365 Club
Bimbo’s 365 Club used to be a speakeasy, as well as a the home for classic jazz & swing dancing. They don’t do it very often, but every New Year’s Eve, they go retro. They even pull out the infamous Girl In The Fishbowl, which is really an amazing thing to see.
