Sounds Local: A variety of ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve: Reggae in Turners Falls, family-friendly in Orange, First Night in Northampton, and more

On Dec. 31 at the Shea Theater in Turners Falls: Roots of Creation will ring in the new year with an exciting mix of reggae, dub, and Grateful Dead music in a show featuring a set of original tunes and a separate set where they will perform as Grateful Dub and put their reggae-dub spin on the music of the Grateful Dead.

On Dec. 31 at the Shea Theater in Turners Falls: Roots of Creation will ring in the new year with an exciting mix of reggae, dub, and Grateful Dead music in a show featuring a set of original tunes and a separate set where they will perform as Grateful Dub and put their reggae-dub spin on the music of the Grateful Dead. Photo by Kevin Bires

At Northampton’s First Night celebration on Dec. 31, look for a rare performance by The Folk Implosion featuring Lou Barlow and John Davis. The band recently released its first album in 25 years.

At Northampton’s First Night celebration on Dec. 31, look for a rare performance by The Folk Implosion featuring Lou Barlow and John Davis. The band recently released its first album in 25 years. CONTRIBUTED photo

Folk/Americana musicians Tracy Grammer and Jim Henry have been live-streaming performances on the last Tuesday of the month since the beginning of the COVID lockdown. They’ve kept it going and will continue the tradition with a special New Year’s Eve edition of their show, which will air at 8 p.m. on YouTube.

Folk/Americana musicians Tracy Grammer and Jim Henry have been live-streaming performances on the last Tuesday of the month since the beginning of the COVID lockdown. They’ve kept it going and will continue the tradition with a special New Year’s Eve edition of their show, which will air at 8 p.m. on YouTube. CONTRIBUTED photo

If you are looking for family-friendly entertainment on New Year’s Eve, consider Starry Starry Night in Orange. Now in its 29th year, this free event will feature ice sculptures, a bonfire, fireworks, the annual Parade of Stars, and various performances. Adam S.Z. & the Inner Fiyah is one of the bands performing.

If you are looking for family-friendly entertainment on New Year’s Eve, consider Starry Starry Night in Orange. Now in its 29th year, this free event will feature ice sculptures, a bonfire, fireworks, the annual Parade of Stars, and various performances. Adam S.Z. & the Inner Fiyah is one of the bands performing. CONTRIBUTED photo

By SHERYL HUNTER

For the Recorder

Published: 12-26-2024 6:01 AM

It’s time to dust off your party hats and dancing shoes because we’re about to welcome 2025! New Year’s Eve is only days away, and if you want music to be part of your New Year’s Eve celebration, we have a few suggestions, ranging from kid-friendly events to parties that will have you dancing at midnight. And for those who don’t want to leave the comfort of your couch, we even have something in mind for you.

I know there are a lot of reggae and Grateful Dead fans out there, and if you fall into that group, you will want to spend Dec. 31 at the Shea Theater Arts Center in Turners Falls. Roots of Creation (RoC) will ring in the new year with an exciting mix of reggae, dub, and Grateful Dead music in a show featuring a set of original RoC tunes and a separate set where they will perform as Grateful Dub and put their reggae-dub spin on the music of the Grateful Dead. Singer-songwriter Caylin Costello will open.

Brett Wilson formed RoC in 1999 while a student at Franklin Pierce College in New Hampshire. Taking their name from a Sublime song, the band went on to become festival favorites.

And their sound, a unique blend of reggae, rock, dub, electronica, and dance, has earned them a dedicated fan base.

RoC’s music, characterized by its guitar-heavy, genre-blurring style, is further enriched by the conscious lyrics of guitarist/lead singer Wilson. The six-piece band’s dynamic live shows have solidified their position in the jam band scene, making them a must-see act.

In 2023, the group honored their love of Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead by recording their favorite Dead tunes played in a reggae-dub style. The album, “Grateful Dub: a Reggae-infused tribute to The Grateful Dead,” debuted at number one on the Billboard reggae charts and features a host of special guests. RoC will play a set of Grateful Dub music preceded by a set of their original material at the New Year’s Eve show.

While this is their first show at the Shea Theater, RoC, along with Wilson’s solo performances and Grateful Dub shows, are no strangers to western Mass. They’ve played the Iron Horse, Pearl St., and Bishop’s Lounge in Northampton, alongside the Wormtown Music Festival and StrangeCreek Festival in Greenfield.

They have been playing shows with the two separate sets for a couple of years.

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“The cool thing about our shows lately has been our original fans come out for our original set, and the Deadheads come out for the Grateful Dub set, and they get turned on to our original music, and fans of original music get turned on to the Dead,” Wilson said in a recent phone conversation. “It’s a lot of fun to perform both sets; every show is a different experience.”

In addition to being devoted road warriors, the band has released a series of live recordings and is currently making their live shows available on Nugs.net. They also released a new single, the rockin’ “Ride or Die Chick,” on all streaming services.

The upcoming year will be busy for the band, with plenty of shows, a new album of original material, and another Grateful Dub album. In addition, look for RoC to release a new single every few weeks.

No wonder they are more than ready to welcome 2025 with this show at the Shea Theater.

“New Year’s is a special show to play, especially since I grew up seeing bands like Phish and other jam bands who turn New Year’s shows into an event,” he said. ”We are super excited to play the Shea, do our two sets, and have our friend Caylin Costello open. I’ve always loved ending the show with our version of ‘Auld Lange Syne.’ It’s a great time to set intentions for the New Year, and to celebrate with friends and family after the holidays and let loose.”

Doors open at 7 p.m., and the show begins at 8 p.m. You can purchase standing (dance floor) or seated tickets. Tickets are available at sheatheater.org. The show is open to all ages.

If you are looking for family-friendly entertainment, consider Starry Starry Night in Orange. Presented by the Orange Revitalization Project, Starry Starry Night takes its inspiration from First Night celebrations in places like Boston and Northampton. It is a smaller-scaled version of these New Year’s Eve events. Now in its 29th year, this free event will feature ice sculptures, a bonfire, fireworks, the annual Parade of Stars, and various performances at four venues in downtown Orange. In terms of music, you can check out the classic rock band, the Can Collectors, Elvis impersonator Denis Cormier, and the reggae-infused sounds of Adam S.Z. & the Inner Fiyah. The fun begins at 6 p.m. For more information, including a schedule of performances, visit starrystarrynight.org

And, of course, you can head to Northampton to enjoy the 40th edition of Northampton’s famous First Night party, presented by the Northampton Arts Council and Greenfield Savings Bank. This 12-hour family-friendly event features a parade, fireworks, and over 100 performances at over 20 venues. The night concludes with the traditional ball-raising from the roof of the Hotel Northampton at midnight. When it comes to local music, this is the biggest event of the year. Not only are all types of genres represented, but the number of acts playing presents a cohesive overview of our music scene. Kalliope Jones, Chris Goudreau, The Rocking Puppies, Cloudbelly, Spouse, Vimana, Love Crumbs and Hannah Mohan are just a handful of the very many who will be performing. And look for a rare performance by The Folk Implosion featuring Lou Barlow of Greenfield and his partner John Davis. The two scored a hit in 1995 with “Natural One”; this past year, they released their first album in 25 years.

First Night Northampton begins at noon onTuesday, Dec. 31. For a full schedule, and to purchase buttons, visit firstnightnorthampton.org

Kids party at the ‘Voo

Kids like to celebrate New Year’s, too, and The Rendezvous in Turners Falls will once again host a New Year’s party for the young ones beginning at 7 p.m. A kid-friendly DJ will be on hand to take requests and keep the dance floor moving. Costumes are encouraged, and the year-end countdown will begin at 8:30 p.m.

Benefit show at Deja Brew Cafe & Pub

For the second year in a row, classic rockers Shadow Twisters will host a New Year’s Eve party at Deja Brew Cafe & Pub in Wendell that will double as a benefit for Kids on Bridge, a children’s charity founded by Kevin Sysyn, a former band member. There will be door prizes and more. Admission is $10. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the party will go until 1 a.m.

Tracy Grammer and Jim Henry live-stream

Folk/Americana musicians Tracy Grammer and Jim Henry have been live-streaming performances on the last Tuesday of the month since the beginning of the COVID lockdown. They’ve kept it going and will continue the tradition with a special New Year’s Eve edition of their show, which will air at 8 p.m. on YouTube. You don’t have to leave the house for this one, but if you prefer to see the pair in person, you can catch them earlier in the day when they play at 4 p.m. as part of Northampton’s First Night celebration.

Sheryl Hunter is a freelance writer who resides in Easthampton. Her work has appeared in various regional and national publications. She can be reached at Soundslocal@yahoo.com.