Get ready for an unforgettable New Year’s Eve at The Velvet Elk Lounge! Enter 2024 and celebrate the Year of the Dragondeer. With music from Dragondeer, cocktails, passed appetizers, and champagne, this is a CAN’T miss night.

• Music by Dragondeer: Dragondeer is bringing songs from their new album, Across The Waves, blending Psychedelic Blues, Retro Funk, Soul, and Rock-n-Roll.

• Inclusive ticket: Heavy passed appetizers will served at the start of the show

• Free Drinks: Each ticket includes two complimentary drinks to kick off the celebration.

• Specials: Purchase four tickets in one order and enjoy a reserved booth and a complimentary bottle of bubbles. Additionally, tickets purchased on New Year’s at Centro, Jax, West End Tavern, and The Post Chicken and Beer will qualify for an exclusive discounted ticket.

• Champagne Toast: Ring in the New Year with a champagne toast as the ball drops.

• Activities: Take some fantastic photos with our photobooth and bring home some memories! Don’t forget to snag a hangover kit and some hot cocoa or cider on your way out.

Date and Time: December 31, 2023, Doors at 8:00 PM and music at 10:00 PM.

Location: The Velvet Elk Lounge, 2037 13th Street, Boulder, CO 80302

Ticket Information: General Admission: $100, VIP tables: $400, Reservation holders and New Year’s Eve diners at Centro, Jax, West End Tavern, and The Post Chicken and Beer will receive a special $50 ticket price

The post New Years Eve at the Velvet Elk with Dragondeer appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Shaking off demons and the optimism of punk

Yellow Scene Magazine sat down with Gasoline Lollipops frontman Clay Rose to talk about wrapping the year on NYE at the Fox theater, what’s to come in the new year, and how it’s punk to be optimistic at this point in history. The Gas Pops, consisting of Clay Rose (vocals, guitar), Donny Ambory (lead guitar), Brad Morse (bass), Kevin Matthews (drums), Scott Coulter (keys), are a local band renowned for their eclectic mix of punk-infused Americana music. Spanning over a decade, their genre-defying sound delivers raw yet soul-stirring performances that captivates audiences.

“For the show on New Year’s Eve, the intention is to shake off the demons of the year. Like all the vampiric shit, to shake that off and kind of be reborn again.” Rose’s words encapsulate the band’s ethos, aiming to create an experience, transcending individual struggles to embrace a fresh start. When asked about the magic that happens between the band and the audience, Rose talks about the alchemy between the band, set-list, audience, venue, and mystery of the night that, ultimately, completes the music. He concludes that “the thing that makes me feel the most alive is music and [to be] in a room full of people…together as one.”

Looking ahead, Clay shares that they’re working on a new album set to release in 2024. Listeners at the Fox can look forward to the Gas Pops “debuting a bunch of those on New Year’s Eve.” Next year, we can also expect a third ballet for Wonder Bound with thirty entirely new songs written by Rose. The ballet is the story of Samson and Delilah set in late 70’s East Texas. Taking on so much writing marks a shift in his creative process where, as he put it, he is knocking on inspiration’s door instead of waiting for the knock. “I’ve been writing pop, classic country and some really hardcore punk stuff that I haven’t written since I was like 18. I just keep collecting like a butterfly net.”

When asked about the writing process with the band, all of whom are grads in music while Rose is self-taught, he noted the unique perspective they each bring. “I realized we’re all music scholars. But I went to the school of punk clubs and honky tonks.” Rose also describes the order that comes with collaborating with the band and even an audience, comparing the creative process to the observer effect demonstrated in the “double-slit experiment.” The ideas come together in a way that can be enjoyed by those outside of the landscape of Rose’s mind.

Clay expressed that the new material demands that he “flex [his] optimistic muscles… with young kids now, I’m getting punk rock about being optimistic because I don’t see it anywhere.” While angst and resistance typically come to mind in tandem with punk rock, it’s actually about being anti and embracing the opposite of what’s mainstream. Lately, pessimism and sorrow that can lead to apathy tends to rule our headlines, radicalizing a brighter outlook. This new message of optimism isn’t a rejection of realism though; We can expect rage and catharsis in the new music in clear political stances and raw lyricism, followed up with a path forward. Rose is clear about the intention on the new album by adding “I just want to say up front, before I sing any of these songs, my intention is all inclusive, universal love. And I’m going to be taking a roundabout way of getting there.”

The band also hopes to make up for lost time during the pandemic. “We took such a major hit from the pandemic. It knocked us back a decade and it almost killed the band.” After necessarily taking on a day job, Rose shared that “I’d rather be broke and happy doing what I love than be financially secure and fucking miserable. So, we rallied and we put together a new game plan.”

The Gasoline Lollipops’ music is beyond entertainment; it’s a vessel for transformation, a conduit for catharsis. As they gear up for their NYE show, it’s not just a concert, it’s a collective ritual to shed the past and look toward the promise of a new beginning, all through the power of music. Catch them at the Fox theater with Bonnie & Taylor Sims and Phoebe Hunt at 8:00pm on Dec, 31st.

The post NYE Show at the Fox with the Gasoline Lollipops appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

When it comes to New Year’s Eve plans, I’ve pretty much done it all. I’ve done the house party bit. I’ve made reservations at absurdly over-priced restaurants. I’ve donned the little black dress and strappy heels and shivered my way through the cold, all for a glittery party hat and a complimentary glass of champagne at: an art gallery, a club, a bar, a hotel, a museum, my mother’s house… You name it and I’ve done it; which is why my previous plans for December 31, 2012 included sweat pants, fuzzy slippers and Ryan Seacrest. (Listen… don’t judge me.)

I was perfectly content with my asleep-before-midnight, leftovers-for-dinner, warm-socks-with-comfy-footwear NYE plans, until my friend told me about a local band playing a New Year’s Eve show at the Hi-Dive in Denver—he even sent over a few songs from the band’s debut album, A Royal Battle, to really seal the deal.

That band is the Strange Americans, and they rock; there’s no doubt about it. The 6-piece Denver band classify themselves as Americana—which to me translates to an authentic road band that blends old fashioned honky-tonk music with bits of rock-and-roll all topped off with meaningful lyrics that transcend multiple eras.

I’m a country girl, and this type of alt-country music is kind of my thing.

Listening to the Strange Americans downloadable album this week made me crave a night filled with cowboy boots and Jack Daniels—two things I’ve never worn or drank on New Year’s Eve. I’ve also never rung in a brand new year while dancing along to  live music—so you can see how I was so easily coerced out of my fuzzy slippers funk.

Lately this band has been getting a ton of buzz in the prestigious Denver music scene, and you can expect to hear a mix of music this NYE that will have you and your New Year’s date breaking it down on the dance floor and tightly shuffling along together for an intimate slow dance in between Jack Daniels breaks at the bar.

The guys that make up the band are incredibly talented and genuine and their strong harmonies and appearances by the eerily soulful B-3 electric organ, the harmonica and the mandolin really take their music from really good, to really great.

Tickets are only $8 and are still available for the Strange Americans (featuring Face Man and the Outlet) New Year’s Eve show at the Hi-Dive, but they’re going fast—so dust off your cowboy boots and click this link to buy yours now. Doors open at 8:30 p.m., show starts at 9:30 p.m.

And if you’re plagued by the thought of leaving the Boulder County bubble (I’m not judging), but you look good in cowboy boots, occasionally consume whiskey, and you’re sad that Boulder County doesn’t have a true honky-tonk venue, but you’re really intrigued to hear what a less weathered version of Lucero blended with the unique sounds of a band like the Lumineers resembles—then you’re in luck. The Strange Americans are playing at Oskar Blues Homemade Liquids and Solids in Longmont on Saturday, December 29^th. Show starts at 8:00 p.m.

I know, I know—you don’t even have to say it, I already know—and you’re welcome.

Have a safe and happy New Year’s Eve, y’all.

The post The Bolder Life: Ringing in the New Year with some Strange Americans appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Meet Crumpet

Not yet the tradition A Christmas Story has become, SantaLand Diaries is no slouch. The uproarious Tony-winner from David Sedaris is a regional favorite every year. It centers on Sedaris’ experiences working as an elf in Macy’s SantaLand. In fact, the piece, originally an essay read on NPR in the ’90s, catapulted Sedaris into the national consciousness. This year’s Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company production takes residence at The Dairy Center for the Arts, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder, Thursday–Saturday nights through Dec. 24. Tickets start at $15. Call 303.440.7826 for more information.

Party on Down

New Year’s Eve is typically a let down after a year of prepping and pondering how to close this particular chapter of your life. Because this is possibly the last year of our lives (unless the Mayans just ran out of numbers), expectations are higher. Enter Hotel Boulderado and its Masquerade Ball with two bands, a restaurant and two bars. You could do a lot worse than spending your last New Year’s Eve ever wearing a mask and partying here. Dec. 31. Tickets start at $50, Hotel Boulderado, 2115 13th St. Boulder, 303.442.4334.

Does a Body Good

There are few foods better than piping-hot oatmeal with maple and brown sugar on an icy-cold winter morning. It’s no wonder the Lafayette Quaker Oatmeal Festival is now celebrating its 14th year of combining this tasty breakfast food with its healthy living fair and a 5K fun-run. (Heads up, though, they’ll have no XL T-shirts this year. Yes, we were crushed, too). 7:30 am, 200 E. Baseline Rd., check out lafayettecolorado.com/oatmealfestival.html for more information.

Oh So Lemony

Ever go to a concert featuring your favorite band from college that never tours only to have them refuse to play any beloved hits and instead focus on material from a soon-to-be-released car commercial album? Well, that’s not this. The Lemonheads is on tour once again, and this time, Evan Dando is focusing on music from It’s a Shame About Ray, the 1992 hit Rhino Records reissued in ’08. If you’re a fan, this concert’s for you. At the Fox Theatre, Feb. 3, 8 pm, $15+. 1135 13th St., Boulder, 303.443.3399

Sure it’s New Year’s Eve. But check out all these other awesome things that happened on Dec. 31…

1) 1781: The first U.S. Bank opens, called the Bank of North America

2) 1879: Thomas Edison unveils his light bulb

3) 1923: The first time a voice is broadcast over the radio across the Atlantic

4) 1945: United Nations charter is ratified

5) 1961: The Beach Boys play their first concert

The post Editor’s Picks: Dec. ’11 appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Wow. Where does the time go? Here we are, knee-deep in December, so focused on buying presents for and making plans with our loved ones that we completely spaced that New Year’s Eve is just around the corner.

Everyone has their own idea of “the perfect New Year’s Eve”. For some, the cliché kiss at midnight is key. For others, a steady stream of cocktails and champagne is the main attraction; and for most, the chance to bust out that Little Black Dress or polished suit and don a selection of sparkly party favors while breaking it down on the dance floor all night is the only way to welcome another year.

So whether you’re looking for live music, an open bar or to dress up in your best party outfit and dine on decadent desserts all evening, there’s a little something for everyone in this week’s The Bolder Life.

Cheers to you all for surviving another year, best health & wealth wishes to you, and best of luck with those hard-to-keep resolutions!

And as always, remember to make reservations!

It’s so last year to buy tickets the day of…

Absinthe House | Intrigue New Year’s Eve Party
$55 Cover Charge | Includes an Open Bar All Night | Multiple DJ’s & Party Favors

The Kitchen | New Year’s Eve Special Celebratory Seasonal Prix Fixe Dinner
$85 Per Person | $120 Per Person with the Addition of a Wine Pairing | 5-Course Prix Fixe Menu

The Kitchen [Next Door] | NYE DJ Dance Party
$10 Cover | Cover Charge Includes 1 Drink | Special Menu Offered ‘til Midnight for and Addition Price

Bacaro Venetian Tavern | NUDE NYE
$10 Cover | DJ Music | Champagne Toast | Libations by NUDE Vodka & Dinner Menu by Bacaro Available for Additional Charge

**Click Here for a Complete List of Downtown Boulder’s NYE Events

Oskar Blues Homemade Liquids & Solids
$ Cover Charge TBD | Live Music | Optional NYE Dinner + Show + Marriott Hotel Room Discounts | Stay Tuned to http://www.oskarblues.com/ for details

Louisville

Waterloo | Fully Belly NYE Extravaganza
No cover charge | Live Music by Fully Belly | Drink Specials | Champagne Toast | Party Favors

The post The Bolder Life: A Rockin’ New Year’s Eve appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.