St. Albert's 2012 New Year's Eve parties are fast approaching and everyone is on speed-dial planning a party.
The list of events is mind-boggling, from private functions and fancy soirees to casual all-day street parties with outdoor fireworks.
Locally, all sorts of venues are synchronizing their watches and offering their take on free champagne, party hats and a collective countdown.
Featured is a variety of entertainment ranging from one-man shows to heavy rock bands to dance club deejays.
So if Auld Lang Syne means staying close to home, join the hootin' and hollerin' and watch the ball drop at one of the venues listed below.
Rob Taylor Crown & Tower Pub 11 Bellerose Dr. Admission: $35 for three course steak and lobster from 6 to 9 p.m. Reservation deadline: Thursday, Dec. 29 Call 780-459-3393
Edmonton singer/songwriter Rob Taylor has courted local audiences for more than 23 years with his melodic rock, blues and Celtic groove.
But it's only been since 2008 that the industrial consultant has gotten serious enough to put a different spin on his act.
“I'm basically a one-man band,” he says. “I use a looping device to create rhythm patterns with live music. I create some pretty interesting beats and people love to see the way the music is developed right in front of their eyes.”
Most of his solo show relies on covers – anything from The Pixies and Blue Rodeo to Neil Young and Stone Temple Pilots.
“But I like to slip in a few originals when I can.”
Tunes such as The Great Escape, a song about what catches the heart, and Room of Love, a parent's reflection on a child are mainstays.
And of course, when the free champagne flows at midnight, he'll be bringing in the new year with Auld Lang Syne.
“I'm fun. I'm interactive and approachable. I'm open to suggestions, and people feel good when they get involved in my show.”
The Fabulous Canola Tones LB's Pub 23 Akins Dr. Admission: $40/Buffet 7 to 9 p.m.; and dance; $20/Dance only Reservations requested Call 780-460-9100
When The Fabulous Canola Tones were recently asked who the band members were, the reply was, “It depends on the gig.”
The Fabulous Canola Tones are actually 30 musicians with like-minded interests in blues, rock, country, bluegrass and roots music.
“It's a concept Dave “Crawdad” Cantera and I came up with. We take a gig and worry about the players afterwards,” says baritone lead singer Willy James.
In addition to the two innovators, The Fabulous Canola Tones include Jim Donnette (guitar), Mark Ammar (drums) and Scott Morgan (bass) for a rock-out New Year's Eve gig.
Although long-time veterans of the biz, they're not above playing covers. But they prefer playing the B-side of a 45.
“There are so many songs every singer does. We want to pick the more obscure songs. We want to do something different and have people remember us for that.”
Expect anything from the Doobie Brothers and Hank Williams to the Eagles and Patsy Cline.
“We're different from a lot of bands because most bands are loud. We tend to play a little quieter so people can have a conversation. Generally we have good energy and we're great musicians. That's something we're very proud of.”
The Apresnos The Beer Hunter 386 St. Albert Trail Admission: $30/dinner and entertainment; $10/entertainment only Call 780-418-6332
Do amphetamines or straight-on creative juices fuel The Apresnos? You be the judge as this foxy rock band plans to set pulses racing on New Year's Eve.
“We stand out because we're such a contrast. People are going to see us walk on stage in shirts and ties, and they'll expect a jazz band. And we'll blow them away and keep it up all night,” says lead singer Ken Bohn. Rounding out the trio is bassist Jordan Gervais and lead guitarist Will Potter.
The Stony Plain band, with a range of influences from the Beatles and Rage Against the Machine, has been going strong for more than three years.
Their big break came at NAIT's infamous Battle of the Bands.
“We actually won it. We were completely baffled. Some of the other bands had such face-melting solos. It was such a good feeling to win.”
With this kind of encouragement, they've written about 20 originals, released a record and toured in small towns.
Some of their originals include the guitar shredding Blues, a raunchier The Prince and the quieter Escape from Hell.
“New Year's is about having a blast and we'll give them a blast.”
Dwayne Allen Apex Casino, at 9 p.m. 24 Boudreau Rd. No cover
Back in 1973 Dwayne Allen opened for Three Dog Night and he's been singing classic rock, Celtic, folk, and reggae ever since.
A regular at the Grey Cup's Spirit of Edmonton, he first played at Apex Casino during October's Thanksgiving weekend.
“I guess I did pretty good ‘cause they asked me back to play for New Year's,” he chuckles.
Although Allen was a classically trained pianist, he's worked as a lounge entertainer for more than 40 years. Even as an industry survivor, he's been pretty much under the radar.
“When people hear what I play, they enjoy the variety. I keep going back from keyboard to guitar. I'll do metal, then switch to electronica. And then I'll do reggae or blues and follow it with Celtic. I'm very versatile.”
New Year's Eve is a high profile gig and among all the hoopla, Allen plans to host a welcoming evening.
“We'll have a lot of fun.”
A.J. Bruyere O'Maille's Irish Pub 398 St. Albert Trail Admission: $30 for three-course dinner and dance from 6-9 p.m. No charge after 9 p.m. Call 780-458-5700
Former St. Albert resident A.J. Bruyere returns to O'Maille's Irish Pub as a deejay to spin a few records and yarns on New Year's Eve.
As founder of A.J. Events, Bruyere has performed across numerous local venues since 1981 and incorporated a deejay format in 2000.
“It pleases our clientele to be well-rounded,” says Bruyere. He provides a mix of Top 40 dance music from Rihanna to Lady Gaga to Keith Urban using electric keyboard, guitar and an MP3 laptop.
Bruyere credits his uncle Danny Boisvert, owner of St. Albert's former Danny Boisvert and Sons Auto Repair, with influencing his career choice.
“Uncle Danny had a country and western band called the Starlights. All his kids were in it and when they played, it looked like a lot of fun. I loved the idea of doing something to please people.”
So get ready to kick up your heels with A.J.'s dance beat.
“I'm going to try and please everyone. This is an unselfish business.”
Retro Jock Sorrentino's Bistro Bar 595 St. Albert Trail Admission: $50-$80 four course meal Reservations requested Call 780-459-1411
Retro Jock is all about spinning gold. He's no Rumpelstiltskin, but the St. Albert disc jockey has got all the old rock and roll, classic rock and retro pop at his fingertips.
Retro Jock started deejaying when he was 14. The passion grew until he owned Northern Lights and Sound, one of the largest entertainment outfits in the area.
“The music industry changed. The music changed and it cost a ton of money to change, and I was suffering from burnout,” says Retro Jock.
He parked his equipment but was seduced out of retirement by Sorrentino's general manager to play on New Year's Eve.
“They knew it's not just about throwing some music on. It's about reading the crowd, taking requests and playing what they want to hear.”
For Retro Jock it's first and foremost the crowd.
“If you really love to dance, be entertained and have a fantastic night you won't forget, this is an experience to take advantage of. People will be impressed.”
J-Trak Randy Ferbey's The Rink Sports Grill 367 St. Albert Trail Admission: $20 prime rib dinner, no cover Call 780-569-5050
J-Track is a wedding and special events D.J. with a kit running from classic rock to the latest pop hits.
“He plays a little bit of everything,” says Jimmy Shewchuck, grill manager.
