The Ultimate Guide to Asheville New Year's Eve
From: www.citizen-times.com
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Go home, 2016. You're not invited to this party.
Come New Year's Eve in Asheville and the surrounding area, it's time to dance away the 2016 blues — and there are plenty of local venues and events that are here to help you do it.
Welcome 2017 to the world by dancing at the three-floor, six-bar annual Grove House bash or party the cold away at a Caribbean-style party downtown. There's Thirsty Monk's fourth annual keg drop and bands at The Bywater — at Top of the Monk, brush up on your French and party into the new year like it's 1925 Paris.
From dancing to rock shows, fancy affairs to celebrating the apocalypse, it's time to forget the bad things from 2016 and cross our fingers for a better new year. Break out the champagne, and offer up a "cheers" to 2017!
If you feel like dancing
As if. On the last evening of 2016, the Burger Bar is taking its guests back to 1995 for A Very '90s New Year. Party to music from two decades ago while dressed in totally awesome era-wear — from midriff tops to flannels-around-the-waist, platform shoes to perfectly crimped hair, pinned with butterfly clips. Prizes will be awarded to the best dressed. Ben Herring will be blasting all the hits of the decade, and, to give 2016 a proper sendoff, he'll play the best of the best from the beloved musicians lost this year, starting at 11 p.m. Bison burgers and other treats will be on the grill, and a special champagne toast will happen at midnight. Don't miss this party back in time at 1 Craven St., from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Dec. 31.
New York City drops a ball, Atlanta drops a peach, Miami drops an orange — and, for the last three years, Asheville's dropped a keg. The tradition continues in 2016/2017, as Asheville rings in the new year at the Biltmore Park Thirsty Monk with the fourth annual New Year's Eve Keg Drop Celebration. The two-story golden keg will be lit up and glowing on New Year's Eve, and, at midnight, the Monk will tap their special keg of Woodstove Winter Ale and toast to the possibilities 2017 brings. The party is free to attend at ends at 1:30 a.m., at 2 Town Square Blvd. in South Asheville/Biltmore Park.
If you want to hear some tunes
Future soul funk band Window Cat will be shaking things up at The Bywater on Riverside Drive from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Head to the Grey Eagle to see the funk, soul and Americana legends that are Yo Mama's Big Fat Booty Band and The Broadcast. Dance away the 2016 blues with some Taqueria tacos in hand, starting at 9 p.m. on New Year's Eve. Tickets are $20 in advance at thegreyeagle.com or $25 at the door.
Over at Isis Music Hall in West Asheville, the Jon Stickley Trio, The Honeycutters and Taylor Martin's Engine will swing the venue into 2017, starting at 8:30 p.m.
If you like strange themes
What was great about 2016? The new Netflix series Stranger Things, of course. Head to the New Year's Eve Freak Out at Toy Boat Community Art Space with Eleven and the gang to party all night with Passion Faction, Abu Disarray, DJ Malinalli, DJ Kent Scott and VJ J.S.F. Doors open at 10 p.m., and entry is $8 in advance or $10 day-of.
At the Top of the Monk, guests will teleport to a different time, a different place for the fourth annual Paris in the Twenties party at 92 Patton Ave. Ring in the new year underneath the glow of the Eiffel Tower, on the rooftop patio at Top of the Monk. The Paris in the Twenties New Year's Eve Soirée features dazzling styles and costumes, special cocktails, a Brandy Sidecar toast at midnight and a holiday menu. The fancy evening starts at 4 p.m. and goes 'til 1:30 a.m.
Asheville Events to Ring in 2017
From: www.exploreasheville.com
From watching a golden keg drop at midnight to hearing a band play a Grateful Dead/bluegrass fusion to a candlelight vigil of release and renewal, Asheville stays true to form by ringing in 2017 in a unique way. Looking for a more traditional celebration with live music, a dance floor and a champagne toast? There’s no shortage of those big parties in town to help you welcome the new year in style!
Asheville New Year's Events At-A-Glance
New Year’s Eve Masquerade at The Social Lounge: Dress as your favorite superhero and join others in downtown Asheville ready to conquer a new year. Before the party at The Social Lounge, enjoy the Italian custom of the Feast of the Seven Fishes next door at Strada. Reservations for dinner are strongly recommended.
Pack’s New Year Countdown at Pack’s Tavern: The Big Deal Band will play in the Century Room and DJ MoTo will spin in the South Bar. In the heart of downtown, Pack’s Tavern offers three bars. A buffet kicks off the evening.
EPIC New Year's Eve Bash at Grove House Entertainment Complex: Bring in 2017 with a New Year's Eve party spread across three dance floors. There will be balloon drops on all three dance floors and the balloons will be stuffed with more than $1000 in cash and prizes. The Grove House will serve heavy Hors d'oeuvres and desserts and champagne toast, and will hand out party favors.
New Year’s Eve Keg Drop at Thirsty Monk South (Biltmore Park): A tradition now in its fourth year, a two-story golden, lighted keg will descend at midnight at Thirsty Monk South. As 2017 arrives, party goers will tap a keg of Woodstove Winter Ale and toast to the New Year. The keg drop celebration is free to attend.
New Year’s Eve Bash at Salvage Station: A full lineup of performers including Santos Glocal Soul and Laura Reed take the stage to provide hours of music entertainment at Salvage Station. A champagne toast at midnight will be followed by Dr. Get Right’s dance party.
New Year’s Eve with The Honeycutters and Jon Stickley Trio at Isis Music Hall: Three of Asheville’s best bands come together for an evening of music and celebration. Dinner reservations will be available in the dining room and Isis Lounge.
Grass is Dead at Asheville Music Hall: Pickin’ and Grinnin’ are what this Grateful Dead/bluegrass fusion band does best. It’s music likely to have you smiling as 2017 begins at Asheville Music Hall.
New Year’s Eve at Nightbell: Renowned Chef Katie Button has created a five-course prix fixe menu that Nightbell will serve on New Year’s Eve. A reservation is a must.
New Year's Eve at Calypso: Asheville's newest restaurant, Calypso, is hosting multiple special events on Lexington Avenue. The Early Bird Gala features a four-course prix fixe dinner with a cocktail of your choice, carnivale dancers, show, and dance party. The New Year's Eve Ball Drop Gala, just a little later, has a five-course prix fixe feast with a cocktail of your choice. Following Miami's ball drop and a special midnight champagne toast, the party continues with DJ Disc-oh!'s Island Vibe Dance Party.
Midnight in London: Get your evening started off early at Metro Wines for a British-inspired celebration. At 7 p.m. Asheville time, the fireworks will start in London. Bangers, chips and cheddar cheese, sparkling French wine, and Bordeaux will be served.
Endings, Beginnings -- A Candlelight Vigil of Release and Renewal at Urban Dharma: Purify the past year’s "negativities" through chanting the Vajrasattva mantra. The lighting of candles serves to renew the commitment to creating a better world for all.
Where to ring out the old and welcome the new year
From: www.mountainx.com
By:
For many people, 2016 was a bit of a horror show. Relationships tanked, beloved stars passed away, and then there was the election. If none of these events touched you negatively, you might not even need a New Year’s Eve roundup. But for those of us who want to kick this year to the curb and see in — albeit with some trepidation — 2017, here’s where to sip some bubbly, wear a wacky hat, dance like no one’s watching and party like it’s 1999 (there’s no shame if you secretly wish it was).
And, for what it’s worth, let’s hug the ones we love, be kind to our fellow New Year’s Eve revelers and begin the next year as we mean to continue. Happy New Year to you, readers. May it be happy, healthy and sweet.
All events listed take place on Saturday, Dec. 31. For more New Year’s Eve ideas, visit Clubland, Calendar and mountainx.com
• Everyone’s invited to The BLOCK off Biltmore’s all-ages One Love New Year’s Eve Party. Dance to ReggaeInfinity from 8-11 p.m. followed by a salsa band, and Wadadli Dessert Oasis will serve up vegan food. $10. 39 S. Market St., theblockoffbiltmore.com
• Bluegrass fans and Grateful Dead fans can have the best of both worlds at the Grass Is Dead show at Asheville Music Hall. The band formed in South Florida nearly 20 years ago but only recently started touring outside its home state. The group opened for Leftover Salmon in Asheville last year and returns to town to ring in the new year. 10 p.m. $12 advance/$15 day of show. 31 Patton Ave., ashevillemusichall.com
• “Because when it’s 7 p.m. here, it’s Midnight in London!” is the tagline for MetroWines’ early-evening event. Midnight in London includes bangers, chips and cheddar cheese with Bordeaux and sparkling French wine in time for New Year’s Eve fireworks in the U.K. 6-7:30 p.m. $30, reservations required. 169 Charlotte St., metrowinesasheville.com
• Empire Strikes Brass is finishing work on its debut album, Theme for a Celebration, at Echo Mountain Studios, and will launch a release tour in February. First, the band will take time out for a little celebrating with a New Year’s Eve show at New Mountain, 38 N. French Broad Ave. The show includes one set by Empire Strikes Brass, “with surprises honoring some of the fallen musical heroes of 2016,” says guitarist Kelly Hannah; and a late-night set billed as “Push Pull Strikes Brass,” which is DJ Push Pull with a horn section. 9 p.m. $20 advance, $25 day of show. newmountainavl.com
• “We will be doing what we do best — music, food and fun — all night long,” says The Salvage Station, 466 Riverside Drive, of its end-of-the-year party. The music part of that equation includes performances by Santos Glocal Soul and Laura Reed plus a late-night DJ dance party with Dr. Get Right. A Champagne toast will take place at midnight. 7 p.m. $8 advance/$10 day of show. salvagestation.com
• The Hustle Souls put in regular appearances on area stages and draw from sounds coming from New Orleans and Memphis. As The Musoscribe writes, “Hotshot guitarist Chris Everett — a master in most every musical genre — spins out endlessly creative licks, and he does so in a manner that makes it look easy.” Everett and company perform at Foggy Mountain Brew Pub, 12 Church St., starting at 10 p.m. Free. foggymountainavl.com
• Fittingly, Asheville Symphony Orchestra will welcome 2017 with a performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. “Each year orchestras around the world celebrate the new year with performances of this towering musical work, which celebrates hope and brotherhood,” says a press release. The concert features the Asheville Symphony Chorus with soloists Danielle Pastin, soprano; Kirstin Chavez, mezzo-soprano; Rolando Sanz, tenor; and Steven Condy, bass. Music starts at 8 p.m. at the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, 87 Haywood St. $22-74. ashevillesymphony.org
• A threesome of local roots music awesomeness — Jon Stickley Trio, The Honeycutters and Taylor Martin — play in the new year at Isis Restaurant & Music Hall, 743 Haywood Road. Come early for dinner, starting at 5 p.m. (reservations required) or drop by later for the show, which begins at 8:30 p.m. $20. isisasheville.com
• The Time Machine Dance Party returns to The LAB, 39 N. Lexington Ave. Here’s how it works: Music from a different decade is played each hour, starting with the ’60s and ’70s at 10 p.m., moving to the ’80s at 11 p.m., the ’90s at midnight and wrapping up with the 2000s and 2010s in the first hour of the new year. Free. lexavebrew.com
• “Nothing rings in the new year like the sound of firecrackers and Champagne bottles popping off,” points out The Crow and Quill. The venue, at 106 N. Lexington Ave., heats up the wintry night with the high-energy, New Orleans-style Firecracker Jazz Band. 9 p.m., $5-$10 suggested donation. thecrowandquill.com
• The Countdown to 2017 party at Pack’s Tavern, 20 S. Spruce St., starts at 6:30 p.m. with a ticketed buffet dinner ($50 per person), followed by the separately ticketed show at 9:30 p.m. The Big Deal Band takes the stage in the Century Room, and DJ Moto will spin dance hits in the South Bar. Doors open at 8 p.m.. $10. packstavern.com
• First, it was sad news when rapper GZA canceled his New Year’s Eve show at The Orange Peel, 101 Biltmore Ave., after Wu-Tang Clan — his longtime group — announced a performance the same night in Las Vegas. But then it was happy news when hip-hop artist Talib Kweli filled in the slot. The Mos Def and Kanye collaborator has played LEAF (where he replaced De La Soul). Local artists RBTS WIN and Mike L!VE open. 9 p.m. $30 advance/$30 day of show. theorangepeel.net
• Newly opened Calypso Restaurant, 18 N. Lexington Ave., holds two New Year’s Eve parties. The Early Bird Gala boasts a four-course dinner with a Carnivale dance show, 6:30-8:30 p.m., $75. The Ball Drop Gala includes a five-course feast, a Champagne toast following the ball drop in Miami, and an island-vibe disco party with DJ Disc-Oh, 9 p.m.-midnight, $130. Then, an after-party takes place at the venue’s disco street tent, with costumed dancers, Caribbean music and cocktails, for a $20 ticket. calypsoasheville.com
• Izzi Hughes, a junior at Hendersonville High School and an up-and-coming singer-songwriter, performs an early show at The Greenhouse Moto Cafe, 4021 Haywood Road, Mills River. Hughes says her set “contains an eclectic mix of covers from old to extremely current [and] I have arranged most of the songs in a slightly different way than the original with my own unique twist.” 7-10 p.m. avl.mx/383
• Looking for a local powerhouse New Year’s Eve? The Grey Eagle, 185 Clingman Ave., has you covered: Funk collective Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band shares the bill with soul rockers The Broadcast. Both bands pretty much owned 2016; maybe starting 2017 in their presence is a good move. 9 p.m., $20 advance/$25 day of show. thegreyeagle.com
• If local music fans used to shun cover bands, the well-chosen tribute song has come back into favor, thanks in part to The Mothlight’s themed shows. For New Year’s Eve it’s “The Traveling Wilburys Vol. 2” and Tom Petty. No word at press time about what area musicians will wear those legendary mantles. 9 p.m., $10. 701 Haywood Road, themothlight.com
• While the long-standing New Year’s Eve tradition at Jack of the Wood, 95 Patton Ave., used to be bluegrass band Sons of Ralph, this year the bar hosts what could become a new familial tradition: Rock outfit Woody Wood and The Family Band. 9 p.m., $10. jackofthewood.com
• Here’s something to celebrate: The Grove House commemorates its 35th annual Epic NYE Bash. The party “started with Scandals in 1982 and spread throughout all three floors, now known as Grove House Entertainment Complex,” says a press release. This year’s three-floor fete, held in Scandals, Club Eleven On Grove and The Boiler Room, includes three dance floors, six bartender stations, balloon drops, party favors, hors d’oeuvres and Champagne toasts and eight themed areas (“Pirates That Stole Christmas,” “Forest Of Silver & Gold,” “Old School Christmas,” “Winter Wonderland,” “Santa Saloon,” “Holiday Hall,” “Candy Land” and “Ice Palace”). If that’s not enough, there’s also a drag show in Scandals at midnight. 8 p.m.-3 a.m., $25 advance/$30 day of show ages 21 and older/$35 ages 18-20. 11 Grove St., thegrovehouse.com
• This year, the annual New Year’s Eve bash at Tressa’s Downtown Jazz & Blues features two local acts: blues artist Ruby Mayfield and R&B outfit Jesse Barry and the Jam. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. 28 Broadway, tressas.com
• Local Dead-centric jam band Phuncle Sam returns to Pisgah Brewing, 150 Eastside Drive, Black Mountain, for its annual New Year’s Eve show. “As usual, this is a free event to the public, complete with balloon drop and Champagne toast,” says the website. Root Down food truck vends. 9:30 p.m. pisgahbrewing.com
• The New Year’s Eve Hootenanny at Oskar Blues Brewery, 342 Mountain Industrial Drive, Brevard, comes complete with shuttle transportation from Brevard hotels. But the real star of the evening is headliner Southern Culture on the Skids. That band shares the bill with Jonny Fritz and Pretty Little Goat. There will also be food from the Oskar Blues CHUBwagons, a free photo booth and specialty beers. Doors open at 7 p.m. $25 local tickets at the Tasty Weasel Taproom/$35 advance/$45 day of event. oskarblues.com