It's the last week of the year and you know what? I hate goodbyes. I hate them immensely and will duck out of a good time like the house is on fire if I am ever put on the spot to eulogize the evening. So I won't say anything more here and instead let the week's entertainments speak for themselves. So read on, please, I am done here and done with 2018.
Thursday
It's the ongoing Laidback Lounge over at Phatsy Kline's this evening at 7 p.m. This week DJ Joe-e will be spinning all kinds of, well, lounging music from the soul, electronic, jazz, funk and downtown that walks the line between low-key dancing and regular hang out music. (free).
Friday
When I lived in New Orleans years ago, the locals had a novel way of dealing with the inevitable madness and crowds of Mardi Gras. Because the holiday always falls on a Tuesday — for the five of you who don't know that Mardi Gras is French for the "fat Tuesday" before Ash Wednesday and the somber beginning of Lent — the local combo breaker was simply partying on Monday. Dubbed "Lundi Gras," this outing allowed all but the most gung ho partiers in the 504 area code to simply lay low and recover on the big day. In that spirit, The Logger Bar is hosting a New Year's Eve warm-up show tonight at 9 p.m. with The Undercovers for all of you out there who, for whatever reason, prefer a dress rehearsal rag to opening night jitters. It's a free show and you can dance your denim dogs off to arguably the best cover band in the area.
Saturday
Locally minted gospel singer Georgia Ruth is making time tonight to perform at The Arcata Playhouse tonight at 8 p.m. with her collaborators in the Absynth Quartet. Expect songs from the match-ups' most recent offering Life Worth Living, as well as an evening of cross genre soulful tunes ($15, $10 advance).
Sunday
Deep Groove Society presents its regular electronic dance music showcase Sundaze at The Jam tonight. Expect bass-driven EDM cuts to fill all of your digital grooves. It all kicks off at 9:30 p.m., is free until 10 p.m. and only $10 afterward.
Monday
It's the last night of 2018 here in the Western World and a lot is going on as midnight's shadow moves from the fall of the Big Apple out here to the Pacific Ocean like a culling harvest blade. Out with the old, in with the new and, while I can't possibly list every social activity for everyone in the fear-of-missing-out crowd, here's a shortlist of places where I am considering celebrating the inevitable coming of 2019.
At 6 p.m. there is a soft opening to the the new bar in the downstairs section of the Arcata Veteran's Hall. Come celebrate for free with War Möth, the newly formed and buzzworthy Bow-legged Buzzards and Forever Young Experience, a Neil Young cover band that aims to play as late as possible.
At 8 p.m. there's another free one at The Little Red Lion when The Scum Lourdes and Cross Contamination put on a "Punk Rock Hootenanny" for the slam dancing faithful across the county.
Over at the Miniplex at beginning at 9 p.m. you can catch a three band line-up for only $10 ($8 advance) when an unlikely alliance is forged by swingin' early jazz sweeties Belles of the Levee, grisly and twangy Americana quartet Hollow Down and a dark synth hybrid form of atmospheric reverb junkies CV.
Finally at 10 p.m. Lovebush will hit the floor at The Logger bar for a free celebration for us Auld Lang Syners who care to dance to the sweet sounds of Afro-funk in the sure-to-be-packed pad.
Tuesday, New Year's Day
Even if you are one of the steady and sober sort who, by virtue of your lifestyle, get to smirk at the bleary-eyed misfortune of the rest of us damned sods, it is unlikely you will be looking for much of a musical to-do on this new dawn of the new year. And if you are, tough udders from me because I've got nothing to recommend. We all know it's arguably the biggest hangover day of the year — good to get that out of the way early, I say — and the action belongs to restoration and rebirth, and not, I am afraid, live music. Sorry.
Wednesday
Here's a novel idea: How about you try something you've always yearned to do but, for whatever reason, held yourself back from? Something that rubs and purrs against your inhibitions like a naughty housecat that needs attention. Furthermore, how about you to do that thing in public. Come on, what's the point of all of that New Year/new me bullshit from a couple nights ago if it's just going to be left in last year's trash can? Just do it. And by "it" I mean have a wholesome good time at the Anything Goes open Mic at The Logger Bar at 8 p.m. (free). Mo Hollis hosts the evening of talent and exploration thereof. Who are you to resist?
Full show listings in the Journal's Music and More grid, the Calendar and online. Bands and promoters, send your gig info, preferably with a high-res photo or two, to music@northcoastjournal.com.
Collin Yeo would like mutual friends to let 2018 know that he is practically already deep into February, and doesn't miss this lousy year one little bit. He lives in a mind palace in Future Arcata.
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