New Year’s Eve. A time for reflection, intoxication, reality-checks, and midnight makeouts. Instead of staying home and watching every Star Wars movie ever made again (guilty), why not treat yourself to a night out of music, celebration, and well... Whatever it is that you do on the final day of the year. Here are some gentle suggestions on how to ring in the new year in this fine and rainy city. Be safe, kids.
A Wise Year Punk Party
Where: The Wise Hall, 1882 Adanac
When: 8pm till dawn
Why: The Rebel Spell, Invasives, The Binz, The Gagged, and Jeff Andrews will guide you through a raucous, rousing Godspeed to 2014. Also, they will be having a “Punkaoke”, yes, punk karaoke with a live band, and you can find the song list/sign up sheet on the event’s facebook page.
Get it: Tickets are $20, available at The Wise Hall & Lounge, Red Cat Records, Highlife Records and BrownPaperTickets.com
New Year's Sillines with the Dayglos and Cum Soc
Where: Punky Thrasherbalts aka Funky Winkerbeans, 27 West Hastings
When: 8pm till dawn
Why: Trading sentimental for silly, Canadian classic punks Dayglo Abortions, Fu Kon Riots, and Cum Soc help you greet the dawn of the Year of the Sheep in true punk fashion. Presented by No Bollocks. No brainer!
Get it: Tickets are $15 at the door.
The Winter Social: Ice Cream Social DJ’s 7th Annual New Year’s Eve Party
Where: The Biltmore Cabaret, 2755 Prince Edward
When: 9pm - 4am
Why: If you haven’t already subscribed to the religion that is Ice Cream Social, then consider yourself saved. Ice Cream Social DJ’s Tyler Fedchuck, Cam Dales, Trevor Risk, and Justin Gradin all provide you with a ‘50s/’60s pop, rock and soul soundtrack to party like its Y2K, ya’ll. This night is a Vancouver institution and guaranteed to sell out, so get your tickets now. Did we mention free champagne at midnight?
Get it: Tickets are $25 at ticketweb.ca, Red Cat Records, and Dandelion Records & Emporium.
One Night Stand VII
Where: Imperial Vancouver, 319 Main
When: 9pm till dawn
Why: Seven years and counting, One Night Stand is a guaranteed good time, featuring some of Vancouver’s finest musicians performing cover songs with a house backing-band made up of members of Siskiyou, Dralms, and In Media Res. Guest singers include Hannah Georgas, members of Mother Mother, Said The Whale, Yukon Blonde, The Belle Game and more, (including yours truly!).
Get it: Tickets are $50 in advance. For a real VIP expereince, email [email protected] to hear about their full range of services and custom packages (bottle service? Why not!).
Heaven: New Years Eve Edition
Where: Fox Cabaret, 2321 Main
When: 11pm - 3am
Why: Heaven, Fox Cabaret’s infamous classic indie dance party, offers their first New Years celebration. “The Teen Angels”, a 15-member youth choir singing the smiths, comedy troup The Sunday Service, “Rapp Battlez” (a comedian rap battle, no less) and Weird Al Karaoke – I mean, what else could you possible want out out of life??
Get it: Early-bird tickets are sold out, so tickets are $45 at Eventbrite.ca
The Wallflower Ball
Where: The Cobalt, 917 Main
When: 9pm
Why: House band The Starlighters, featuring members of Dead Voices, Teen Burger, Lying Eyes, and The Corps will serenade you into the new year with their good looks, talent and hilarity. DJ’s Jef Leppard (Hustla/Queerbash/Come Friday), Dylan Gray Jones (Godmode), and Zach McLean Webb (Killing Time/Godmode) provide the soundtrack to midnight merrymaking.
Get it: $10 at the door, or in advance at BrownPaperTickets.com
New Year’s at Hotel Vancouver
Where: Hotel Vancouver, 900 West Georgia
When: 8pm - 3am
Why: If you’re the kind of human who thrives on variety, this is the party for you. In five different ballrooms, you’ll see performances from Vancouver Opera, a live rock ‘n’ country revue starring Rich Hope, a video installation by artist Paul Wong, Pandora and the Locksmiths doing a live band/striptease combo, some of the cities finest DJ’s, a photo presentation of Vancouver’s history by Vancouver Is Awesome… Like I said, variety, baby!
Get it: Prices vary, visit HotelVancouverNYE.com
Solid NYE 2015 – Tiesto, Steve Aoki, Andrew Rayel
Where: Pacific Coliseum
When: 7pm - 3am
Why: According to the facebook event page, this is the “biggest NYE event in Canada”. So do with that information what you will. If EDM, trance, glowsticks, and epic big-time-parties are your thing, consider yourself sorted. This event will sell out, so get on it, son!
Get it: Prices vary, visit TicketLeader.com and SolidEvents.ca
