New Year’s Eve is always a very important night. It signifies the end of one year and the beginning of the next. It’s a huge responsibility to make sure that you end 2012 on a good note and bring in 2013 in the best way possible. So how do you do this sans Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve? Well WKNC is here to help you make the best decision. This New Year’s Eve seems to have something for everyone in the Triangle. From salsa to jazz, hip hop to indie rock; this New Year’s Eve seems to cover all the bases. With so many great options, it’s hard to go wrong.
The biggest event of this year is without a doubt New Year’s Jazzin’ Eve with Art of Cool at the Cotton Room. The headliner of this event is the incredible hip-hop duo The Foreign Exchange. The Foreign Exchange features Raleigh-native rapper Phonte (formerly of Little Brother) and famed Dutch producer Nicolay. This show also features some amazing jazz by the Al Strong Quintet, Marcus Anderson, and Yolanda Rabun along with special guest DJ Apple Juice Kid. There will also be a special performance by Toon and The Real Laww who were most recently seen bringing down the house at Tir Na nOg for Local Band Local Beer several weeks back. This event is complete with a chicken-and-waffles breakfast buffet.
If this event doesn’t seem quite your speed, Kings Barcade and Neptune’s Parlour in Raleigh are hosting New Year’s Eve Double Decker Debauchery. This event features DJ sets by Jon Yu, Sean McKee and Michael Perros. It also includes your customary champagne toast and countdown to midnight, followed by an anything but normal full band set from The Lollipops. The Lollipops rocked like it was their last moments on earth at Local Band Local Beer’s End of the World Party at Tir Na nOg and you can expect much of the same here. If you haven’t seen these guys yet, I can think of no better way to ring in the New Year.
Some other notable events around the Triangle include the Salsa Party at Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro featuring Orquesta GarDel & DJ Keith Ward; the Dance Party at The Pinhook in Durham with DJs Shahzad, Treee City, Trademark, and Queen Plz; and the North Carolina Symphony in Meymandi Concert Hall in Raleigh conducted by Jeff Tyzik with special guest drummer Dave Mancini.
With so many great opportunities all around the Triangle, there is no bad way to spend New Year’s Eve. Whether you are rocking with The Lollipops at Kings or watching the acorn drop in City Plaza, you can be assured that you will have a great New Year’s Eve. Check out the full list of events in the Triangle below to find the best event for you.
Raleigh
Kings Barcade & Neptune’s Parlour – The Lollipops & DJs Jon Yu, Sean McKee and Michael Perros
Meymandi Concert Hall – North Carolina Symphony conducted by Jeff Tyzik with Dave Mancini on drums
Tir Na Nog – U-Phonik & Wake & District Pipes & Drums
The Pour House Music Hall – Barefoot Manner & The Morning After
Berkley Cafe – GruvGlu LOOPED w/ MCLC, Matic, Special Blend, Severe & Outburst, AudioRush & Xander, Beastmode, Noisydrums, Andrew Cappaletti, Tyler Buck Vs. Bassik, Zom-B, Trizzak, Jordan Clark, SeanEboy & Shuhandz & Roudee
First Night (downtown) – Delta Rae, Jonathan Scales Fourchestra, Saints Apollo, and many more
Deep South the Bar – Hanks for the Memories w/ Hank Sinatra & Debonzo Brothers
Lincoln Theatre – Revolution Raleigh w/ DJ WOBBLE Factory / Vertical & DJ FM
Southland Ballroom – Cry Wolf & Unlimited Gravy
Durham
The Cotton Room – The Foreign Exchange, Al Strong Quintet, Marcus Anderson, Yolanda Rabun, DJ Apple Juice Kid, & Toon and The Real Laww
The Pinhook – Dance Party featuring DJs Shahzad, Treee City, Trademark, & Queen Plz with appearances by Toon and the Real Laww
Motorco Music Hall – The Wusses & The Pusses
Broad Street Cafe – Hog, B Side Project, Spiralfire, & JKutchma
Casbah – Peter Lamb and the Wolves & Kate McGarry
Chapel Hill/Carrboro
Cat’s Cradle – Salsa Party with Orquesta GarDel & DJ Keith Ward