TUESDAY, DEC. 31 2013 >>>
1. A legitimate excuse for frivolous hedonism comes but once a year, so we say make the most of it. Don a silly hat (everyone else will look stupid, too), pop a magnum of champagne and blow your horn: 2013 is finally done. Check out the Weekly Volcano's Music Calendar and Entertainment Calendar for ideas.
2. Good news: a new round of art installations move into the Woolworth Windows today. For a sneak peek, click here.
3. First Night is a coordinated international phenomenon with hundreds of cities worldwide manifesting (relatively) drunk-free celebrations that allow people not interested in being totally smashed to come out of their homes to celebrate New Year’s. In Tacoma, past celebrations have included giant puppets, parades, scavenger hunt, giant snake, pirates, racing pigs, rolling heads, music, performers, fireworks, medieval sword fights and more. First Night Tacoma is back with a Year of the Horse theme this year, as well as a soapbox derby race, world's shortest parade, ice walk, Tacomapoly, coconut shell stampede and tons of music. Venues for this year’s offerings are all about Broadway — the Rialto Theater, Theater on the Square, the Pantages and indoor and outdoor spots from Seventh to 13 streets. Click here for the First Night Tacoma full schedule.
4. Speaking of First Night Tacoma, the event has always been an embarrassment of riches, and this year's installment looks to be no different. The New Year's Eve celebration is packed with any number of bands worthy of highlighting - bands like the lovely OK Sweetheart, the dance-rock of The Fame Riot, and that elder statesman of throat-singing oddness, Baby Gramps - but my eyes were immediately drawn to Fly Moon Royalty. This electro-soul duo on the rise combines the talents of producer/MC Mike Illvester and singer Adra Boo. The interplay between producer and vocalist is classic, each performer building off of one another to create a funky stew that challenges the folded-armed hipster. Adra Boo's smooth vocals mingle perfectly with Mike Illvester's compositions. It's a unique thing to be found at this year's First Night at 9:45 p.m. on the Main Stage, so don't go sleeping on it.
5. Celebrate New Year's Eve at The Brotherhood Lounge. For a reasonable price, one of Olympia's most fun bars will take it a notch higher, with 50 percent of the door earmarked for Safeplace. It will be awesome, ladies and gentlemen. DJ Dead Air will be the entertainment for the evening, and the playlist is composed of '80s, rawk, punk and disco. The Broho is also bringing back the midnight balloon drop. Even if your hipper-than-thou ass has to pretend like you're going to be all ironic and shit, you know that this is the kind of party you want to use to forget about 2013.
