P is for Party
The Pasadena area is loaded with great places to celebrate New Year’s Eve
By Bliss 12/24/2009
Tis the season to make merry — and that means coordinating club-hopping around the Rose Parade and its revelers. If partying all night with the cooler-packing crowd up and down Colorado Boulevard isn’t your cup of Coors, check out some other local celebratory options.
If you want to kickstart 2010 a little early, dress to dance with Kinky at the dance-rockers’ KCRW-sponsored pre-New Year’s Eve bash Wednesday at the Conga Room at LA Live, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., Ste., A160, downtown LA; $25/$55. Doors open at 8 p.m. Info: (866) 95-CONGA or congaroom.com.
Here in Old Pasadena, “the Greatest Show on Earth” is promised when a host of deejays descend on Villa SORRISO, 168 Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, from 9 p.m. ’til 2 a.m. New Year’s Eve; $20 advance/$40 at the door. The rain-or-shine “circus-style party” will boast DJ Closer, DJ Charlie C, DJ Quickee and DJ Venum on the front tented patio, while DJ Herick Hell and DJ Jose Shuton will spin ’80s electro and house tunes under the big top tent in the rear parking lot and fire-breathers, jugglers, stilt walkers and other professional oddballs will stroll the premises. Info: (626) 241-4711 or spotlightcali.com.
Early birds may appreciate “A Night of Comfort and Soul” and the bluesy vibe provided by Barry “Big B” Brenner’s slide-fueled repertoire of classic blues and rock starting at 7 p.m. New Year’s Eve at Firefly Bistro, 1009 El Centro St., South Pasadena; $65 per person/prix fixe. Info: (626) 441-2443.
If you’d rather laugh than cry, check out “Mobile Home Disaster” host and comic/actor John Caparulo, who’ll be playing two shows at the Ice House, 24 Mentor Ave., Pasadena, 8 and 10:30 p.m. Dec. 31; $29.50 general admission/$44.50 VIP (8 p.m.) or $39.50 GA/$59.50 VIP (10:30 p.m.). Info: (626) 577-1894.
Anyone remember when Big Bad Voodoo Daddy used to play Moose McGillicuddy’s? The swing revivalists are playing two New Year’s Eve concerts at Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown LA, 7 and 10:30 p.m.; $68.50-$185. Info: (323) 850-2000.
Pianist Iliana Rose & Her Cuban Jazz Band will usher in the new year with a salsa dance party at Café 322, 322 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre. Call (626) 836-5414 for reservations and other info.
Southland Blues magazine is convening half a dozen Southland blues veterans — the 44s, Jumpin’ Jack Benny, Johnny Dyer, LA Jones, Sherry Pruit and Finis Tasby — for the annual New Year’s Eve Blues Bash at Nick’s Taste of Texas, 545 N. Citrus Ave., Covina; $24 for members of Southern California Blues Society, $30 for nonmembers. The fun starts at 9 p.m. Tickets and info: (714) 209-7347 or socalblues.org. After the 2009 most of us have had, 2010 is already looking good.
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