When the New Year's Eve clock strikes midnight and the ball drops, where will you be?
Fortunately, New Year's Eve parties in St. Albert run the gamut from swanky soirees to good old-fashioned house parties.
While getting all dolled up may be fun for some, it's certainly not for everyone. Luckily the city is topped up with get-togethers that ring in the New Year in style – no matter whether your style is beer or champagne.
Below is the current New Year's Eve crop of live entertainers that will help you bid farewell to 2015.
Dahlia Wakefield and the Value Villains
The Bourbon Room
#112, 205 Carnegie Dr.
Bourbon Room is going all out and turning the clock back with a Prohibition Era themed party. Ladies are encouraged to dress up as Charleston gals and men as pinstripe-suit mobsters. Whiskey may – or may not – be served in teacups.
Standing at the microphone is Dahlia Wakefield and the Value Villains, a four-piece that likes to mix it up.
"We're really a bit country and lot of rock and roll. We cover Top 40, classics and progressive rock. We play fun party tunes and love it when the audience gets up and dances," said Wakefield, also a member of Dirt Road Angels.
Rounding out the band is Ben Samuels (drums), Steve McGonigle (bass) and Alan Tymofichuk (lead guitar).
Their set list has endless possibilities ranging from Fleetwood Mac, Lady Gaga and B52 to Adele, Heart and Pat Benatar.
"Everything is electric and everyone is on pins and needles. I just love New Year's. It's great being with kindred spirits," said Wakefield.
"If people want to hear a tight band, great vocals, great musicians and a diverse set list that will bring back memories and create new ones, come to our show."
On the menu is a buffet meal, $50 for dinner and dance, $25 dance only. Call 587-290-0071 to reserve.
Celeigh Cardinal and Dylan Farrell
Crown & Tower
11 Bellerose Dr.
Singer-songwriter Celeigh Cardinal and music partner Dylan Farrell find a cosy fit at Crown & Tower. This beat savvy duo plays covers anywhere from folk, blues, and rock to Motown, funk and soul.
A 16-year stage veteran, Cardinal started singing solo at age four in the People Full Gospel Church in Grande Prairie.
And Farrell carved out a solid reputation representing the Edmonton Blues Society in the Memphis Bound blues challenge last year.
"I write music not only because it's a creative outlet, but also because it's a form of communication and helps me relate to people. Because I started in church, I saw the healing power of music and I like how I can help people with music," said Cardinal.
Unless the audience asks for originals, the duo will dig into their bag of tricks with numbers from the Eagles, Beatles, Ed Sheeran, Stevie Ray Vaughn and Etta James to name a few.
"We're all over the map. Dylan and I have great chemistry. When we perform, we have such a good time we're totally contagious and everybody will love it."
A three-course roast beef dinner is served for $39.95 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. No cover for the 9:30 p.m. dance. Champagne, party favours and grand prize draw.
Colleen Rae
Apex Casino Vee Banquet Room
24 Boudreau Dr.
As the calendar flips to 2016 join the comforting familiarity as country darling Colleen Rae and Cornerstone hit Apex Casino Vee Banquet Room.
There's lightness in her footsteps these days since her new album Look At Her Go was recently released.
Recorded in Nashville at Oceanway Studios, it took one year to complete and represents Rae's newfound maturity.
The four-piece, supported by Randy Busby (drummer), Del Cox (bass) and Billy Ringo (guitar), usually perform audience requested originals from Rae.
But New Year's Eve is a blast and they'll be cranking it up and featuring everyone from Johnny Cash to Adele.
"We do country crossovers with adult contemporary and story songs. And we like to do giveaways whether it's a CD or tickets to a show. My crowd respects that. It's one of our traditions.
Enjoy the country countdown with full buffet, party favours, a late lunch and champagne at midnight. Cost $99. Reserve at 780-460-8092.
Mourning Wood
Apex Casino Vee Lounge
24 Boudreau Rd.
When the saying "rock the night away" was coined, it could have referred to Mourning Wood.
They are one of Alberta's most loved rock cover bands numbering a large and eclectic fan base.
The St. Albert four-piece, that also features Tupelo Honey's Greg Williamson (drums) and Steve Vincent (bass), is prepping for another blowout New Year's gig at Apex Vee Lounge.
This is one band that leaves their inhibitions at the door as revelers dine and dance to high-energy, high-volume music.
There is a full buffet, party favours and a champagne toast at midnight. Tickets are $75. Call 780-460-8092.
Chill Factor
LB's Pub
23 Akins Dr.
Chill Factor sets good party vibes going with its '80s style cover songs – Joan Jett, Melissa Ethridge, Sass Jordon, Biff Naked to name a few.
A much-anticipated band with LB's Pub regulars, Chill Factor has played the club circuit since 1987. A few players have come and gone, but founder Lori Woodhouse believes the high-energy band is at its peak.
"Young people love classic rock and people in our age group love it. We find newer stuff just doesn't hold up as well. Classic rock is what people want to hear."
LB's Pub is serving a steak and lobster dinner. Ticket for dinner and dance is $65; dance only starting at 9:30 p.m. is $25. Call 780-460-9100 to reserve.
Matt Robertson
O'Maille's Irish Pub
398 St. Albert Trail
Matt Robertson is one dude who likes to fly solo with good melodic music.
The St. Albert singer is a graduate of the Grant MacEwan College jazz program and launched his career in the 1980s as a travelling musician.
He's always leaned toward rock, pop, ska, reggae and jazz and even used to play in a Beatles tribute band as Paul.
But at his New Year's Eve gig at O'Maille's, he will parachute in with a roster of solo acoustic Celtic, Irish and East Coast favourites as well as popular Top 40 tunes.
"When music is pared down, you get the essence of a song. You get the true experience. It's bare and it's honest," Robertson said.
As a starter to the shenanigans, the pub will serve three-course meal choices from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Cost $30 to $50. After 10 p.m. there is a $10 cover charge. Champagne and party favours at midnight.
Spencer Kryzanowski
Glasshouse Bistro
Enjoy Centre
Another St. Albert resident, pianist Spencer Kryzanowski is tapped to tickle to the ivories at Glasshouse Bistro's swanky soiree.
A graduate of the Augustana Campus music program, Kryzanowski divides his time teaching piano at Don's Piano Place and bartending at Fort Edmonton Park's Selkirk Hotel.
"It'll be solo piano with an eclectic mix of upbeat jazz and dinner music. Maybe a little classical, but I'd really like it to be more jazz," said Kryzanowski.
He's looking at a broad range of music from Duke Ellington to Diana Krall and some Broadway thrown in for fun.
"You can have a nice peaceful, relaxing, contemplative New Year. It's not going to be an overwhelming evening. Lots of New Year's Eve celebrations can be intense. Here you can escape for a few hours and spend time with your loved ones."
Cost is $129 per person for a four-course plated meal. Early bird tickets $89 available until Dec. 24. Menus are on the website at glasshousebistro.ca. Call 780-651-7361.
