If you're looking for a great New Year's party, one of these events should do the trickBy Chris Nixon
For the San Diego Union-Tribune
December 22, 2005
Whenever New Year's Eve crosses my mind, I recall a quote from Billy Crystal as he ponders the meaning of "Auld Lang Syne" in "When Harry Met Sally": "I mean, 'Should old acquaintance be forgot'? Does that mean that we should forget old acquaintances, or does it mean if we happened to forget them, we should remember them, which is not possible because we already forgot?"
The ancient Scottish tune "Auld Lang Syne" translates to "Times Gone By." Whether we understand the lyrics to "Auld Lang Syne" or not, New Year's Eve is a time to reflect on the good memories we've experienced and to create a few new ones.
If you like live music to ring in the new year, San Diego has one of the best New Year's Eves in recent memory. Local legends (Karl Denson), national upstarts (Hasidic reggae band Matisyahu), international favorites (Mexico's Kinky) and the traditional family celebrations (First Night) are on the schedule.
Here's a rundown of the shows we'd go to if we could:
KARL DENSON'S TINY UNIVERSE
The San Diego jazz-funk band the Greyboy Allstars sent shock waves through the local music scene by providing an organic alternative to the electronic danceable acid jazz of the 1990s.
Led by saxophonist Karl Denson, the Allstars' live shows were packed with funk jams and extended solos – not the noodling jam band style. Denson and his cohorts drew inspiration from James Brown, Maceo Parker, Fred Wesley and the Horny Horns.
The Allstars continue to play a couple of times a year, but Denson devotes much of his time to his own band, Tiny Universe. In 2002, KDTU released "The Bridge," an excellent album featuring Denson on vocals along with the band's trademark funk sound. Tiny Universe currently is working on a studio album, so expect Denson to bust out a few new tunes at this 'Canes gig in Mission Beach.
Dinner packages are available. And, as a side note, our best wishes go out to Allstars co-founder Robert Walter and his family, displaced from New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
KINKY & B-SIDE PLAYERS
Self-described as "electro-Latin organic fusion," Kinky has molded a style equal parts hip-hop, pop, rock, disco, funk and electronica. Rising from the Mexican music Mecca Monterrey, the quintet formed in 2000 experimenting with electronic rock heavily influence by techno and DJ culture.
Gilberto Cerezo (vocals, guitar, turntables), Ulises Lozano (keyboards, vocals), Carlos Chairez (guitar, vocals), Omar Gongora (drums, vocals) and Cesar Pliego (bass, vocals) released their infectiously funky self-titled disc in 2001, followed by the more mainstream "Atlas" in 2003.
I saw them at Coachella a few years back and they reminded me of a guitar-slinging Nortec Collective – half live instrumentation, half DJ sampling. Joining Kinky at 4th & B downtown will be San Diego's B-Side Players, mixing splashes of reggae and salsa with steamy politically charged rock.
MATISYAHU
Did I hear that right? A Hasidic reggae singer? Yes, I did. Matisyahu is not a gimmick, this guy has serious chops.
Born Matthew Miller in West Chester, Pa., Matisyahu blends Jewish spirituality with Jamaica's all-ready-heady reggae music. Backed by a razor-sharp band that includes Aaron Dugan (guitar), Josh Werner (bass) and Jonah David (drums), Matisyahu scats, raps and beatboxes with amazing dexterity.
The band's 2005 release, "Live at Stubb's" (recorded at the Austin, Texas, club of the same name), exemplifies Matisyahu's skills with the mike. Those lucky enough to have tickets to this sold-out Belly Up show have a treat in store.
BIG NIGHT SAN DIEGO
This sprawling New Year's celebration is like a First Night celebration for the big kids. You have theme party rooms to choose from: Mardi Gras, Vegas (mock gambling), HiBall, 1970s and '80s retro, hip-hop, electronic dance, dining room, chill-out room and a fireworks viewing zone.
For the price, this is probably your best New Year's Eve bargain: There's a food buffet and all drinks are included, plus bands (Lady Dottie and the Diamonds, Rookie Card, Common Sense, Flock of '80s) and DJs (Jon Bishop, Miss Lisa, Happee, Kid Krazzy and Mike Czech) for just over $100.
If you want to shell out another $50, you get access to the V.I.P. section, with its own casino, its own lounge and upgraded drinks and food. Fireworks will help ring in the new year, and discounted rooms are conveniently available at the venue – the Sheraton on Harbor Island – so no excuse to drink and drive.
THE MOTHER HIPS
After forming in 1991 at Chico State in Northern California, these four guys spread the good word about the Mother Hips through constant touring and excellent sunny pop songs by Tim Bluhm and Greg Loiacono.
Ten years later, the band had found a devout following throughout California and beyond, but tired of the road. The Mother Hips split up to pursue solo projects (check out Bluhm's 2003 EP "The Soft Adventure").
After a hiatus of five years, the Mother Hips' heavenly harmonies and neo-psychedelic rock return in the form of the 2005 EP "Red Tandy." Bluhm (guitar, vocals, keys), Loiacono (guitar, vocals, keys), Paul Hoaglin (bass) and John Hofer (drums) know how to put on a great show, drawing on their many years on the road.
FIRST NIGHT ESCONDIDO
With First Night San Diego taking the year off in 2006, Escondido's New Year's Eve celebration marks the county's only family-oriented First Night. Buttons ($10 before Christmas and $15 after, free for kids under 6) will get you into 12 stages of music and theater, including everything from classical music to puppet shows.
Stretching from Grape Day Park to Escondido City Hall and the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, this alcohol-free event is absolutely crammed with more than 100 performers, including musicians, magicians, stilt walkers, jugglers and puppeteers. The evening finishes off with a midnight fireworks display.
