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)
- 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??