Whether you’ve warmly welcoming the New Year or you’re not quite ready to see what 2017 has to offer, it is upon us. Find your footing and fiercely grab this year by the cojones (we’ve been told that’s okay). In the meantime, delve into this first week with a few creative and expressive outlets including Spiderweb Salon’s Winter Formal, a roller derby open house, and lots of live music. Here are a few events to help you on your way, Dentonites.

Thursday, January 5

Load In Gets H.O.T.
Load-In, 8 PM
Prepare to geth-o-t as House of Tinnitus will be heating things up at Load-In. This former DIY house venue continues to bring you shows, and Thursday they’ll be delivering a lot of harsh noise while touching on esoteric electronica. $5. See event page for additional details.

Friday, January 6

Jesus Chris + The Beetles, THIN SKIN, Thrill Bill
Backyard on Bell, 9 PM
Band Together Denton is nearly upon us and, in order to help cover some of those costs, three Denton favorites are going to be putting on a show this Friday at Backyard on Bell. Jesus Cris + The Beetles, THIN SKIN and Thrill Bill are sure to keep heart rates up with a blend of rock, punk and noise. This show is FREE and a percentage of the bar will go to help with operational costs of the fest, which is on January 20-21 and benefits Mentor Denton. Music starts at 9.

Berlios, Jonah The Runner, The Moths
Midway Craft House, 5 PM
Enjoy a crafted cold one (or two, or three) and revel in the rowdy rock—and post rock—of Houston bands Berlios and Jonah The Runner. The Moths open the show. This all-ages event starts at 8 PM. A $5 donation is suggested for the touring bands. Music and beer? Let’s get crafty, ya’ll.

MNKR, Kites and Boomerangs, LeQube
The Bearded Monk, 7 PM
Let Denton garage/pop rock band MNKR (Moniker) and eclectic indie-rock band Kites and Boomerangs serenade you with their wide spectrum of captivating melodies on their tour stop at The Bearded Monk. LeQube brings the alternative indie rock all the way from Panther City (that’s Fort Worth, y’all). Guzzle a growler—well, maybe share it—while you lend an ear to these talented folks. No cover. Music starts around 8 PM.

Mothership, The Virgin Wolves, Dead Flowers
Dan’s Silverleaf, 9 PM
Join Dallas heavy-rock trio Mothership as they take their “supersonic, intergalactic” sounds to the Dan’s Silverleaf stage. Joining them on this Southern Invasion Tour is Denton’s own The Virgin Wolves and Dallas rock band Dead Flowers. Tickets are $10 online and at the door. Show starts around 9 PM. See you there, Denton. \m/

Soul Patrol, D-Mar, Remain
The Abbey Underground, 9:30 PM
The soulful rock quartet Soul Patrol is asking you to “iron your socks and shine your belt,” because they’ll be hitting it hard at The Abbey Underground. Hip-hop poet D-Mar kicks the night off with the rhetoric and rhymes, and rock band Remain will hit the stage and close up shop in the wee hours of Saturday morning (12:30 AM to be exact). Per usual, there is no cover at The Abbey Underground. 21+.

Saturday, January 7

North Texas Roller Derby Open House
Lone Star Indoor Sports and Events Center, 9 AM
Interested in roller derby? Curious to see what it takes? Join the North Texas Roller Derby for their January Open House at Lone Star Indoor Sports and Events Center and experience firsthand what a derby practice is about. You’ll have a chance to meet and mingle with girls who currently skate and those who are still in training. 18+. No skating experience required.

Get To Know Your Sewing Machine Workshop
SCRAP Denton, 11 AM
If you’re one of the many who own a sewing machine and don’t quite know how to operate it, fret not. SCRAP Denton will be hosting a workshop to help you familiarize yourself with your stitching mechanism, so you can make your current decorative piece function once again. This resourceful class will be taught by UNT Fashion Design teacher Karen Bravo. B.Y.O.S.M. (Bring your own sewing machine.) $10.

Mother Tongues, Daisy
Audacity Brewhouse, 8 PM
If you don’t make it out and support Band Together Denton on Friday night, you’re in luck! They’ll be doing it again over at Audacity Brewhouse on Saturday with Mother Tongues and Daisy. As a bonus, Weird Destiny will be on the scene providing interactive arts for all. I don’t know if you’ve been to a Weird Destiny party but a Weird Destiny party is hard to top. Once again, this show is FREE (a steal!) and music begins at 8.

Spiderweb Salon’s Annual Winter Formal
Dan’s Silverleaf, 8 PM
Spiderweb Salon invites you to Save the Date for their Fourth Annual Winter Formal. They’ll be saying adios to 2016 and will ring in the New Year—better late than never—with art, music, poetry, performances, and more! Get ready for the footloose feels as Nice Up Crew will end the night in style with a dance party. Artwork, zines, CDs, etc., will be available to purchase—support local artists! $5. 9 PM sharp.

Shelby Ballenger, The BoomBachs
BackYard on Bell, 8 PM
Hailing from the small town of Princeton, Texas, Shelby Ballenger brings her unique style of Texas Country to BackYard on Bell. Denton’s own The BoomBachs will showcase their hip hop, jazz, and rock stylings by bringing their Space Gospel to the stage. As always, there will be food trucks and pizza aplenty. Bonus: BackYard on Bell has a heated tent, so you can stay nice and toasty outside! Shenanigans begin at 8 PM.

Fab Deuce, The Southpaw Preachers
Andy’s Bar, 9 PM
Settle into your Saturday with a night of hip hop and soul-funk at Andy’s Bar. Fab Deuce brings the beats and The Southpaw Preachers will deliver the jazzy melodies. DJ Spinn Mo joins the stage. According to the event page more details are coming, so stay tuned for a cover charge update. Music is set to start around 9 PM.

Sunday, January 8

SCRAP’s New Workspace Party
SCRAP Denton, 10 AM
SCRAP Denton is moving to a bigger volunteer workspace, and they’re asking you to help clean their current spot and get them organized for a smooth move into their new location. If you’re not a SCRAP volunteer, that’s okay! Anyone and everyone is welcome to give a helping hand, simply comment “yes” on the event page. For further information, you can contact: robin@scrapdenton.org. Shake a leg and help this creative space get ready to grow! 10 AM.

Header Image Design by Brittany Keeton