As we come to the close of another year, many will look back and reflect on the progress—or lack thereof— they’ve made in the last twelve-ish months. But before you get wrapped up in overanalyzing and finetuning the details of your resolutions, recognize New Year’s is a time of celebration. Venues in Bozeman and beyond are here to help ring in what will be an excellent New Year in Southwest Montana. So let’s party! Kick off your evening with a Prime Rib & Lobster New Year’s Eve Dinner beginning at 5pm at the Kountry Korner Café, complete with live entertainment from the one and only Kostas & Friends kicking off at 5:30pm. The Greek-born American is a country music songwriter who has penned numerous hits for Dwight Yoakam, Patty Loveless, George Strait, and The Dixie Chicks, among many other artists. Whether playing his own compositions or covers, Kostas’ relaxed manner and soulful styling will leave you mellow and uplifted. What better way to greet 2017?
Mixers will present some New Year’s Eve Bull Riding at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds at 6:30pm. After every rider has their chance at an 8-second ride, Mixers will host an After Party with Live DJ at 9:30pm. Ring in the New Year with bucks and brews! Bozeman Hot Springs will host its own New Year’s Eve Party with Live DJ Poolside starting at 7pm. Come out for an epic night to remember and stay for extended hours—open until 1am. Welcome a fresh start and a new calendar year with beats and bubbles!
Ballroom Dance Bozeman (BDB) will present a New Year’s Eve Dance Party featuring live music by the Sugar Daddies at the Baxter Hotel Ballroom from 8pm–midnight. Admission is $25 at the door for non-passholders. While the gist of their material is popular rock ‘n’ roll, country, oldies, R&B, and blues, the Sugar Daddies also have an extensive arsenal of original songs, all of which are palatable, as well as an array of lesser-known but still great songs by both obscure and well-known artists and songwriters.
Come celebrate the start of a new year in style with A Paige & The People’s Band New Year’s Eve featuring DJ Missy O’Malley at the Eagles Lodge Ballroom beginning at 9pm. A $10 cover will grant you entry to the biggest and best New Year’s bash in town featuring door prizes, party favors, and a midnight champagne toast. PPB has a feeling of ‘70s soul with a modern twist. Come say buh-bye to 2016 with some rock, soul, and funk music that’ll keep the dance floor poppin’ and the tails shakin’! ChickenJam will present ZOSO: The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience at The Emerson Theater with doors at 9pm. Tickets to this ALL AGES show are $30 in advance in store and at www.CactusRecords.net/ and $35 at the door. Doors at 9pm. Zoso embodies Page, Plant, Bonham, and Jones in their spirit, tightly wound talent, and authenticity.
Zoso’s live shows are not about simply playing the right notes, they are about aura and feeling, harkening back to the unique atmosphere Led Zeppelin created. It’s in the way they play: each band member’s mastery of authentic vintage instruments, coupled with spot on vocals, guitar, bass, drums, and keyboards, their compelling stage persona, and distinct Led Zeppelin sound, with astounding visual imagery recreates the music, magic, and mystery of a Zeppelin concert. Catch the Heather Lingle Band at the Eagles Bar in Downtown Bozeman with music set to begin at 9pm. Heather is a Montanabased singer/songwriter. The frontwoman leads this great country band comprised of a lead guitar player and upright string bassist, both of whom spent a considerable amount of time playing professionally in Nashville.
Head across the street to the American Legion for electric blues band Way Station, providing great live music from 9pm and into the New Year! Grab a drink and a dance partner, because this is bound to be an awesome night! The Great American Heroes will be on hand to keep the party going at the Sac Bar from 9pm through the wee hours of 2017. Out of Bozeman, the band plays good ole American country/rock music. Come check them out at an always lively New Year’s Eve party, including a midnight champagne toast! Exit 288 will take the stage with a performance at Chico Hot Springs at 9pm to close out another year. The high energy musical group performs classic through contemporary rock, blues, and country styles. Their music is carefully selected to get people involved in the party and to keep the dance floor hopping! Just in case you didn’t have enough fun the night before, Norris Hot Springs will be open for soaking away 2016 on New Year’s Day.
Come enjoy the warm natural springs and enjoy the sounds of Russ Chapman at 7pm. An original songwriter, Russ stomps and sings an inspired blend of hill country blues and swing, with a taste for lyrical wordplay—there’s no deep, soul crushing ballads here. Just good, clean(ish) fun. Further information about these end-of-year and other upcoming events can be found throughout this issue of The BoZone.
Here’s to a prosperous 2017—Happy New Year Bozeman! •
