Make way for the New Year. Island establishments such as The Wharf, Katharine Cornell Theatre, and Portuguese American Club are hosting parties on December 31 to help you ring in the new year with music.
In Oak Bluffs, the Portuguese-American Club’s New Year’s Eve celebration features live music by the Electric Highway Experience, from 9 to 12:30 am. The band covers classic rock tunes by Jimi Hendrix, Cream, Led Zeppelin, the Doors, and many other well-known groups. Light hors d’oeuvres will be served, but guests are welcome to bring a potluck dish. Guests must arrive with a P-A Club member for admission, and members can sign in up to seven guests. Doors open at 8 pm. While there is no admission charge, the club asks for a $5 donation.
At The Ritz, there’s music by DJ D-Dub, and no cover charge.
The Newes from America in Edgartown plays host to Island folk musician Kevin Keady from 9 to 11 pm. “We’re going to be having a kinder, gentler celebration of New Year’s Eve,” said Dermot Quinn, general manager of The Newes. “Kevin Keady will perform his own songs. We hope to have a nice evening.”
The Boogies, local ’70s cover band, will play for the crowd at The Wharf. “We’re calling the night ‘the Studio 54 at the Wharf,'” said co-owner Will Coogan. “People will be dressed up from the ’70s, and it’s going to be a ’70s style disco party.” Tickets are $25, and the bar will be open until 2 am that night only.
At Atlantic, also in Edgartown, enjoy DJ music, a champagne toast at midnight, with no cover charge.
The Lambert’s Cove Inn in West Tisbury features dinner and dancing, with two musicians lined up. Island Jeremy Berlin will play during dinner; and after, listen to Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish.
Tristan Israel and Paul Thurlow are performing at the Katharine Cornell Theatre in Vineyard Haven, starting at 7:30 pm. Admission is $12 for adults and $6 for children under 16.
In Oak Bluffs, the Kahoots and DJ Nightshade are playing at the Oyster Bar Grill starting at 9:30 pm, with no cover charge. “We’ll be doing dinner up until around 9 pm, and we’ll be having our raw bar from 4:30 to 6:30 pm,” says J Richards, bartender at the Oyster Bar.
Down the street, sing your favorite tunes at Seasons during karaoke, along with champagne toasts later in the evening.