The Weekend Guide for Dec. 30-Jan. 1: New Year’s Eve and More

In The Daily Dumpster Blog by Matthew Everettleave a COMMENT

Here’s a list of what to do this holiday weekend. Visit the Knoxville Mercury online calendar or pick up the most recent issue for a full list of the weekend’s offerings.

FRIDAY, DEC. 30
There’s a football game this afternoon.

SATURDAY, DEC. 31
The Black Lillies 
The Mill and Mine • 8 p.m. • $30-$100

Joseph Llanes

2016 has been an eventful year for the Black Lillies —and the pace doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon. The Lillies’ New Year’s Eve show at the Mill and Mine kicks off a fresh set of shake ups for the band, which released its fourth album, Hard to Please, in October 2015. A departure from the Americana act’s previous three LPs, the album’s bold, soul-tinged sound earned it a spot on the Americana Music Association’s Top 100 Albums of 2016. But for the band members, who have steadily toured and released albums since the beginning, the success feels more like a natural progression than an unexpected breakthrough. Read Carey Hodges’ preview. With Alanna Royale.

New Year’s Eve in the Old City
The Old City • 8 p.m. • $15-$20 • 21 and up
Buy one wristband and get access to seven Old City dance venues: Southbound, Hanna’s, Carleo’s, the Wagon Wheel, NV Nightclub, 90 Proof, and the Bowery.

The International New Year’s Eve Party
The International and Concourse • 8 p.m. • $10-$25 • 18 and up
Ring in 2017 with some bass, courtesy of Huglife, Ede Gee, James Scott, Jason Paul, Warren Peace, Demongirl, and Z Is Not a DJ.

Gran Torino
Bijou Theatre • 9 p.m. • $37
Knoxville’s Gran Torino rode the smooth, hard-hitting sounds of James Brown, the Commodores, and the Ohio Players to cult success between 1995 and 2002. The 11-member band, led by charismatic frontman Chris Ford and ignited by the powerhouse horn-and-brass battery of PeeJay Alexander and Jason Thompson, built a reputation for long, sweaty, locked-in funk jams that lasted into the early morning hours. Since reforming in 2014 for a benefit for the Bijou Theatre, the Torinos seem to keep finding special occasions for reunion shows. In 2015, they played another benefit show, for Green Magnet Academy (where GT trombonist Dexter Murphy is principal), and now they’re regrouping once again for what promises to be the funkiest and most soulful New Year’s Eve blowout in Knoxville.

New Year’s on the Square
Market Square • 10:30 p.m. • Free
A free family-friendly year-end celebration, complete with an old-fashioned midnight ball drop. Read Jack Neely on the Knoxville connection to that New York tradition here.

SUNDAY, JAN. 1
KTC Calhoun’s New Year’s Day 5K
Volunteer Landing • 9 a.m. • $30
Shake off the champagne with a brisk run through the rain.

Senior Editor Matthew Everett manages the Knoxville Mercury's arts & entertainment section, including the comprehensive calendar section—Knoxville’s go-to guide for everything worth doing in the area. You can reach Matthew at matthew@knoxmercury.com.

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