Christmas has come and passed, Hanukkah is coming to an end, and the New Year will be here in the blink of an eye. Say adios to 2016 and welcome 2017 with a few events around town—with everything from New Year’s Eve parties to a vegan holiday potluck to a masquerade ball and, of course, live music. Our little list highlights a few functions that will help guide you into the New Year. Check ‘em out!

Thursday, December 29

Joe Stack
J&J’s Pizza, 8 PM

Multi-instrumentalist/singer-songwriter Joe Stack invites you to stay warm with a few tunes and a lot of slices at J&J’s Pizza. And even though it won’t be terribly cold outside, live music and pizza are a good reason to stay inside. This all-ages show is free. Music starts at 8 PM.

 

Pucker Up, Sexual Jeremy, Flesh Narc, Slackbeat
Load-In, 9 PM

Boston’s Pucker Up has hit the road on a 40+ day tour. They’re stopping through Denton to deliver their experimental mayhem to the Load-In stage. Joining them will be Sexual Jeremy, Flesh Narc, and Slackbeat, bringing the no wave and noise rock. Party begins around 9 PM. $5. See event page for further details.

 

Strays, Mother Tongues, Particular People, Wesley Jensen
Chuck’s House, 9 PM

Chuck invites you to his house for beer, food, live music, and free t-shirts. There isn’t a catch, he just wants you to come get funky. Ummm...free beer, free food, and free tees? Yeah, you don’t have to twist our arm. Strays, Mother Tongues, and Particular People are slated to perform. Wesley Jensen kicks off the night around 8:30 PM or so. Free. See event page for further details.

 

Friday, December 30

 

Holiday Vegan Potluck
Juice Lab, 4:30 PM

Didn’t feast enough over the holidays? Perhaps a second dose of delish dishes along with fresh juice will set you straight. Join the Denton Vegetarian Society as they will be hosting a holiday-themed potluck at the Juice Lab. Bring your favorite holiday dish to share—they just ask you to attach a notecard with a complete list of ingredients. This potluck will be a White Elephant gift exchange, so if you’d like to participate, bring a vegan-friendly wrapped gift (no leather or products tested on animals, etc.). Gifts must be between $10–$15. Feasting begins at 4:30 PM.

 

Criminal Birds, The Birds of Night, Moon Waves
Dan’s Silverleaf, 8 PM

Criminal Birds has created quite the buzz in the Denton music scene this past year. Come see (and listen to) what this four-piece band that dwells “in a purgatory between their quirky rock foundation and the ethereal space above it” has to offer at Dan’s Silverleaf. As always, The Birds of Night bring the “rock…[or] whatever,” and Moon Waves beams in from Dallas with their psychedelic rock. Satisfy your belly with beer and savor in the sounds of these talented folks. This all-ages show will be well-worth its cover of a mere $10.

 

Cat Hair, The Trumpets, Trick Burn, William Austin Clay
Tom’s Daiquiri, 8 PM

William Austin Clay is hosting a night of live music at Tom’s Daiquiri. Promising to deliver a chill evening, Clay will showcase his non-idiomatic indie melodies alongside indie-pop band Trick Burn. The Trumpets and Cat Hair will finish the night off. Come get your fill of cheap drinks and show your love for these locals. This musical event begins at 8 PM.

 

Ricardo Lopez, Bliss
Midway Craft House, 9 PM

Denton trio Ricardo Lopez and the Revolvers was “created to tell the story of Ricardo Lopez through song.” An ode to the boxer or Bjork’s stalker? We’re not sure, but our interests are piqued. They’ll be delivering “some sort of rock ‘n’ roll” to the Midway Craft House room. Bliss opens with their 90s-inspired alt-rock. Free show + craft brews? The perfect formula for a fantastic Friday night.

 

Saturday, December 31

 

Ten Hands
Dan’s Silverleaf, 9 PM

Bid adieu to 2016 and celebrate the beginning of a new year with Ten Hands. Adored by DFW for decades, this accolade-ridden group brings their unique blend of jazz, art, and psych-rock to one of the best stages in town—Dan’s Silverleaf. Along with admittance, a $15 ticket will get you a glass of champagne for a midnight toast and black-eyed peas to eat (scoop up that luck!). We’ll toast to that.

 

Starparty, Wax Logic, D-Mar

Andy’s Bar, 9 PM

Starparty will make their way to planet Earth for the first time in three lunar cycles, bringing other-worldly music that will make you shake and shimmy into the New Year. Wax Logic joins, heating up the show with their jazz tunes and hip-hop beats. Hip-hop poet D-Mar kicks off the night at 10:30 PM. A cover charge of $5 will be taken at the door. Bonus: Champagne and curated cocktails will be everflowing upstairs at Paschall Bar.

 

NYE Masquerade Ball
Paschall Bar, 9 PM

Suit up in your finest attire, slip on a devilishly disguising mask (and maybe a feather boa or two), and send 2016 off with a bang—or at least a bottle of champagne—at Paschall Bar’s NYE Masquerade Ball. They’ll be slinging your favorite cocktails before, during, and after the party downstairs at Andy’s that will be featuring D-Mar, Wax Logic, and Starparty. A complimentary glass of champagne will be offered for a traditional midnight toast (helloooo, 2017!). Paschall Bar, as always, is free; a $5 cover charge for the Andy’s show is in order. Merrymaking begins at 9 PM.

 

New Year’s Eve Party
House of God, 6 PM

Ring in the New Year at the House of God. With six bands on the bill, they’ll be celebrating the end of 2016 by showcasing a handful of local artists—with acts such as Violent Feminists, Prefontaine, and Amethyst. Grilling will take place before the music begins, so come a little early if you want to grub. B.Y.O.B. Music starts around 7:30 PM.

 

Looking for more ways to revel on New Year’s Eve? No worries! You’ve got lots of options.

 

Sunday, January 1

 

First Day Hike
Ray Roberts Lake State Park, 10 AM

If you aren’t preoccupied nursing your first killer hangover of 2017, consider starting off the year strong with a hike through beautiful Ray Roberts Lake State Park. The ranger-led hike will follow the 2.2 mile Randy Bell Scenic Trail and you’ll learn a little about the native flora and fauna along the way. Make sure you bring water, wear sturdy shoes and dress for the weather (although you might want to consult your magic eight ball on that one.) No registration is required and cost is $7 to gain entrance to the park.

Header Image Design by Brittany Keeton