By Michael Swanger michael@dmcityview.com

Corey Taylor’s DUMFUX, the Blue Band and Jason Brown are some of the artists performing in the metro on New Year’s Eve.

New Year’s Eve is one of the biggest nights of the year for live music. As in years past, there is no shortage of options for music lovers to ring in the New Year. The following is a sample of several concerts to be held Wednesday, Dec. 31. For additional concert listings and other New Year’s Eve events, see Cityview’s calendar.

• Rockin’ in the Blue Year — It wouldn’t be New Year’s Eve in downtown Des Moines without Bob Dorr and the Blue Band hosting several Iowa bands and reunited past members of its Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group for a bash that allows guests the convenience of staying where they party for the night. This year’s event at the Hotel Fort Des Moines includes performances on three stages by a nine-piece version of the Blue Band, Joe and Vicki Price, Rob Lumbard and Nathan Peoples, Matt Woods and The Thunderbolts, Fat Tuesday & the Greasefire Horns and Checker & the Bluetones. Music, food and champagne cost $55. Music starts at 7 p.m. Call 243-1161 for tickets and hotel specials. Fat Tuesday also plays Raccoon River Brewing Co. at 9 p.m. Cover is $20 or free with a ticket to the New Year’s show. Fans of the Blue Band will also want to check out 2 Bobs & A Nate on Tuesday, Dec. 30 show at Chequers Lounge, from 9 p.m. to midnight.

• Corey Taylor’s Dysfunctional New Year’s Eve Bash — Here’s another event that is fast becoming a tradition as Slipknot singer Corey Taylor performs another New Year’s Eve concert at the Val Air Ballroom in West Des Moines with his side project The DUMFUX (11 p.m. – 1 a.m.) and is joined by local hard rockers the Dirty Little Rabbits (10 p.m.), Junk Poet (9 p.m.) and Calous (8 p.m.). Doors open at 7 p.m. $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Call 223-6152.

• Cirque de la Symphonie — Soar into 2009 with a unique performance only the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra can provide as it combines great classical music with the magic of cirque performances by contortionists, jugglers and aerial flyers. Young pianist Colton Peltier will share the stage with the symphony to perform “Rhapsody in Blue.” Showtime is 8 p.m. $54 and $60. Call 246-2300.

• Another Cheap & Cheezy New Year’s Eve — No hoity-toity, fancy schmancy here, just good old fashioned blues by Reverend Raven & the Chainsmokin’ Altar Boys and a Bring-Your-Own attitude that always makes this a festive affair. As in years past, fans are encouraged by the bar’s sometimes incorrigible, sometimes entertaining manager Jeff Wagner to “bring their own damn munchies, party hats, blowy things and all that crap.” Cheap champagne will be on hand to toast the New Year. Wagner also reminds lonely, destitute and horny fans that, “if you don’t have somebody to kiss at midnight, don’t sweat it, we can probably hook you up.” Sounds like a man of experience. Showtime 9:30 p.m. $12. Call 244-3092.

• Jason Brown — It’s becoming a tradition for local country singer Jason Brown to host a New Year’s Eve concert at Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino. This year, Brown is joined by special guests Legal Limit and Brandon Kade and the Barn Wreckers. Showtime is 8:30 p.m. at the Meadows Events Center. $20. You must be at least 21 to attend. Also, Prairie Meadows’ Triple Crown will host a midnight buffet and AJ’s Steakhouse will host live music starting at 6 p.m. by Last Shades of Daw and Allan Robuck’s Elvis Experience and the Evolution Show Band, as well as dinner until 10 p.m. Call 967-1000.

• Ski Bunny Suicide — Local blues rockers perform at 9:30 p.m. at House of Bricks. Free champagne at midnight. Admission TBA. Call 727-4370.

• Dance Party USA Five — Looking to shake your rump to some electronica/DJ sounds? Visit the Vaudeville Mews for a performance by Dance Party USA Five and Flatform at 9:30 p.m. Headliners to take the stage at midnight. $10. Call 243-3270.

• Willie Shay — Want to jazz up your New Year’s Eve? Hear longtime Des Moines solo jazz guitarist Willie Shay perform at J Benjamin’s. Start time is midnight, though on most Wednesdays he starts performing at 7 p.m. Admission is free.

• John Krantz — Local jazz pianist tickles the ivories from 7:30 to 11 p.m. at Sam and Gabe’s Italian Bistro. Admission is free.

• Pine Box Rhythm Revue, Torpedo Darlings, Tyborn Jig — Three local rock bands play the Beechwood Lounge, 416 E. Walnut St. Music starts at 9 p.m. $5.

Scene notes
Kuyper’s Music, which has sold pianos and keyboards in West Des Moines for about 20 years, closed its suburban location this week and is returning to its original location — Pella. … Micah Wright, 18, a senior at Drake University and West Des Moines native, is one of 140 young artists selected nationally to participate in the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts youngARTS program. Wright, a clarinet performance major, was one of 6,000 artists who applied for the program and will travel to Miami to meet and study with other artists. … The Distractions, Sleep is the Enemy and Calvary play the Teen Coffeeshop in Stuart on Saturday, Dec. 27. … We the Kings play People’s Court on Feb. 28. Tickets are $15 in advance. … The Civic Center of Greater Des Moines has announced two new shows: River North Chicago Dance Company on April 22 ($25, $35) and The Ten Tenors on April 23 ($32.50, $42.50). Tickets are on sale now. CV

Comment on this story | Return to top