Danny’s Picks For New Year’s Weekend Music

by Borderstan.com December 29, 2010 at 7:12 am 1,924 2 Comments

Live music in Borderstan Luis Gomez Photos

Where is Danny going this weekend for live music? (Luis Gomez Photos)

From Danny Shapiro

Happy New Year, fellow music lovers! I hope you’re all reflecting on a great year of unforgettable concerts, stellar new bands, and standout albums to keep your iPods chugging along well into 2011.

In case you’re still searching for the perfect way to spend the upcoming weekend, here are some brilliant events happening right here in the Borderstan neighborhood! See you all at the gigs in the New Year!

Friday, January 31 @ the Black Cat

Black Cat New Years Party (Doors 8 pm, $25)

Come celebrate the turn of 2011 with Peaches O’Dell and her Orchestra, offering a smorgasbord of dance tunes from the past: swing dance music, 30s-40s romance, Latin rhumbas and tangos, “jump swing,” and a stop through hits of the 1950s.

For the same entrance fee, you can also check out a second DJ dance party in the backroom with DJ Dredd and Grap Luva. Two parties in one equals a great way to count down to midnight! Twentieth century period costumes optional.

Check out our profile: Music 2010: The Passion of Danny Shapiro. Question for Danny? Send him an email.

Friday, January 31 @ 9:30 Club

Spend New Years Eve with Gogol Bordello

This show is sold out, unfortunately, but if you can find an extra ticket, grab it faster than one can say “Gogol Bordello.”

If you’re unfamiliar with this one-of-a-kind gypsy punk band from the Lower East Side of Manhattan, check out their MySpace page, or rent a copy of the 2005 film, Everything Is Illuminated, to see why this band leaves an indelible impression on your mind at first sight. It’s a guaranteed ridiculously good time.

Please avoid (at all costs) insanely overpriced scalped tickets on the interwebs. Gogol Bordello are also playing a Thursday, December 30 show at the 9:30 Club (also sold out), sans New Years 2011 antics.

Saturday, January 1 @ 9:30 Club

Trombone Shorty and the Orleans Avenue (8 pm Doors, $25)

For those unfortunate souls who missed Trombone Shorty the last time he was at the 9:30 Club, check out my review here. Do yourself a favor and take a quick trip down to the Bayou without stepping foot outside the District and see this unstoppable talent in the flesh. Bring ample dancing footwear.

Saturday, January 1 @ the Black Cat

Homo/Sonic (9:30 pm, $10)

DJ Natty Boom and Zack and Michael of The New Gay will be returning to The Cat’s main stage to ring in the new year with a mix of retro, indie, pop and rock music to help you dance off all the mistakes you made the night before.