Dialog with CNP

Music and Dance

A To the Best of Our Knowledge (TTBOOK) episode broadcast on KQED Radio on 2012 November 18 included a very interesting interview with neuroscientist Daniel Levitin.  He illuminates his talk with two of my favorite dance songs.  Well worth a listen.

NYE 2012

(Prices don’t include cost of buying online.)

J’La Chic

Pros: Variety of music, reasonable dancing space (based on past years), older crowd (so not as many rude drunks)

Cons: Black-tie

Where: Westin Hotel in SF, 50 3rd St

How Much: $100pp basic package (with dinner, dinner show, and champagne reception is $250pp)

Parking: Hearst Parking garage on Stevenson street directly across the street from the Westin Hotel (self parking) $23.00 per night

When: 9pm – 2am (Flashback room; other rooms close at 1:15am)

Music:

  • Flashback 70’s 80’s Party Room!  Funk, Soul, Rock n’ Roll with Top Shelf Party and Show Band (and DJ Oras Washington – a Capri Lounge regular – Top 40 Soul, Old School, Funk):  Metro Ballrooms 2 and 3
  • Jazz with Sonya Jason’s Sax Tigress Quartet:  Metro Ballroom 1
  • Sizzling Salsa hosted by DJ Ian De Silva with Live Entertainment by Raquel Con and Bolero Y Mas!: Concordia Ballroom
  • Standards n’Jazz VIP room: Olympic Ballroom

Dress Code: Formal, Black-tie

Other Entertainment: casino games, comedy, magic show

Coat check: $3 per item

Demographics: 40 and over

Claremont Hotel

Pros: Closer to home, variety of music

Cons: Mellower crowd, more sedate music

Where: Claremont Hotel in Berkeley, 41 Tunnel Road

How Much: $159pp (or $179pp with 4-course dinner or $229pp for 5-course dinner in fancier restaurant – but menus don’t appear to be veggie friendly)

Parking: Claremont pay lot

When: 9pm – 1am (dinner option starts at 5:30pm)

Music:

    • Claremont Ballroom with music by Martini Straight Up – covers of rock, funk, swing
    • Empire Ballroom with DJ Sal Castaneda and dancing – former Live 105 DJ
    • Paragon Bar with live music
    • Meritage Lounge featuring live piano
    • Horizon Ballroom – Lounge with countdowns worldwide

View Lounge

Pros: Disco music, view, option for table for 4 (or more)

Cons: one room

Where: Mariott Marquis in SF, 55 4th St

How Much: $175pp for an inside table (seating for 2, 4, 6, or 8) or $225pp window table (hors d’oeuvres included at both prices)

Parking:

When: 9pm – 1am

Music: 70’s disco fever mixed with current hits played by DJ MIXTEK

Dress Code: not stated

Boom Boom Room

Pros: Cheaper, night club, casual attire, next to Japantown

Cons: Crunchier, might be crowded

Where: Boom Boom Room in SF, 1601 Fillmore St

How Much: $50pp

Parking: Street parking and Japantown garage

When: 8pm – ?

Music: Con Brio (headliner), Mark Sexton Band (opener), DJ K-OS (of Digital Underground)

Top of the Mark

Pros: Classy, nice floor, includes vegetarian dinner

Cons: Pricey, one music option

Where: Top of the Mark in SF, Mark Hopkins Hotel

How Much: $375pp

Parking: Sutter Stockton garage

When: 6pm – 1:30am (dancing starts at 10pm)

Music: Michael Athens and the Megatones (rockish party tune covers – mostly ’80’s – ’00’s)

Dress Code: formal attire requested

Bimbo’s 365

Pros: Cheaper, old-style SF night club (Wikipedia article), cocktail attire (black-tie optional)

Cons: One room, some of the music might be a bit fast, Web site info is a bit sketchy

Where: Bimbo’s 365 in SF, 1025 Columbus Ave

How Much: $60pp (+ 2 drink minimum)

Parking: 1.5 blocks away at The Hilton garage located at 590 Bay at Columbus

When: 8pm – ?

Music:

  • Nick Waterhouse – (white) 25-year-old R&B fanatic, plays guitar and sings (backing band and vocalists in videos)
  • Quinn DeVeaux and The Blue Beat Review
    – New Orleans soul and early blues
  • Gaucho – gypsy jazz sextet (including accordion)

Biscuits and Blues

Pros: Cheaper (sort of), night club, no dress code, limited tickets, good music

Cons: Shorter time, dance floor probably crowded by the tables

Where: Biscuits and Blues in SF,

How Much: $60 11pm show ($50 8pm) plus $30 food / beverage minimum (decent veggie menu options)

Parking: free street parking or $12 at the Mason / O’Farrell garage

When: 11pm – 2am?

Music: John Lee Hooker Jr.

Other Venues:

KISS FM at Hotel Sofitel in Redwood City – details not posted yet; 8pm – 1:30am, $75 before Dec 1st, $90 after, $135 VIP ticket

The Fillmore: Trombone Shorty, $90, 9pm – ?

Starlight Room in SF: a party but no details posted

Yoshi’s Oakland: Pete Escovedo & Sons Latin Jazz Orchestra, $100pp 11pm – 2am (?) ($170 includes dinner)

Yoshi’s SF: Maceo Parker’s Funky New Year’s Party, $100pp 10pm – midnight??

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