December and NYE

December is the month of Giving, Love, Spirituality and Family for most of us. Whether your spirituality has you celebrating Christmas, Kwanzaa, or Music, we wish you the best of holiday spirits and love!

Now onto the music-

Dark Star Orchestra @ Jefferson Theater 12/01 - Dark Star is THE Grateful Dead coverband, although they don't like to be called a coverband. DSO carefully selects entire sets from the journey of the Grateful Dead, from the early 60's until the end of their decades long adventure, and preserves the integrity and history with precision and ease. Personal opinion chooses DSO over Furthur at this point in time, but you be the judge and let me know!

Big Gigantic @ The National 12/03 - Big Gigantic has this funky saxophone that I can't help but love. Although they dealt with some technical issues each time I saw them over the summer, their ability to overcome without skipping a beat gives them a special place in my heart. Their energy and passion that comes from this duet is unmatched. You will not sit down, you will not stop smiling, and you might even have to change your pants.... The sax is that sexy.

Larry Keel and the Natural Bridge @ The Southern 12/03 - Larry Keel is an award winning, lightning fast acoutstic americana "flat picker" who will be joined by "the Natural Bridge". Their original sound is a combination of bluegrass, americana, jams, country, and even a little reggae. If you had the opportunity to witness "Keller and the Keels" anytime this summer, you know these guys will be bringing it!

String Cheese Incident @ Stage AE Pittsburg, PA 12/06 -Normally I won't write about a show 5 hours away. After witnessing these guys in Asheville, it was ridiculously important I put up their closest show in December... 5 hours is not a bad drive to see them, seriously. I was a bit skeptical before, but I am a convert at this point. The string's vibe is absolutely flawless right now, they're exploring new territory but also staying true to their roots that run deep.

Calf Mountain Jam & American Aquarium @ Clementine Cafe Harrisonburg, VA 12/09 - Calf Mountain Jam has been a staple of the local bluegrass scene for some time now. American Aquarium, from Raleigh, NC, has spent the last 5 years making 5 albums and doing almost 900 shows. Put these two guys together, and you're gonna have one explosive time. I'm hoping for a jam session between the two.

William Walter @ The Box 12/11 - William Walter has a smooth like butter voice is and is a multi-talented phenomenon from Nelson County. This rock and twang mash up has it's own special sound, that only one William Walter can provide with such ease, excitement, and perfection.

The Former Champions @ The Box 12/14 Former Champions are so focused and on point with their sound, it is this wonderous adventure through jamfusion unlike anything else. Along with their regular spots in Richmond, Tuesdays at Cary Street Cafe and every other thursday at City Dogs, they've announced several traveling fall/winter dates. I really love these guys, and you should put them on your favorites list too!!!

Farm Vegas and Friends Christmas Jam @ Cary Street Cafe 12/16-12/17 "Farm Vegas & Friends CHRISTMAS JAM is a two-night collective music celebration hosted and curated by Farm Vegas, with guest sit-ins from members of Jackass Flats, Black Girls, Shack Band, Grease Trigger, The Big Payback, Peoples Blues of Richmond, The Inflatables, Poston Brown Project, Mason Brothers, Exebelle, Zep Replica, and many more." - From Event Page

Former Champions & Silo Effect @ The Camel 12/17 - This is Part of the Mantrabash Showcases, a donation effort to ensure the longevity and stability of the grassroots festival, Mantrabash. Silo Effect, Richmond natives, have been putting on fantastic shows full of life and energy with their progressive electronic-dance rock sound. Very stoked to see these bands play together, and really hoping for a collaboration!! hint hint guys!!

Sons of Bill Christmas with Peyton Tochterman @ Jefferson Theater 12/23 - "With two independently released albums, and a live show known to evolve from acoustic ballads into sweaty stage dives, the Sons of Bill are quickly establishing themselves as one of the hardest working and most promising rock bands in the south." (taken from their facebook) I have yet to see these guys, and am looking forward to it, as they've been on my "to see" list for a while. What do you guys think??

Trees on Fire @ Jefferson Theater 12/28 - Trees on Fire has a special place in my heart. Using their music as a platform for global awareness, their sound is infused with jazz, funk, reggae, rock, and everything in between. There's no way to pinpoint them, except as organic and passionate.

Keller Williams and Pimps of Joytime @ The National 12/29 - Keller Williams is another musical anomoly. Expect the unexpected, questions of "how does he do that", and a show full of life and love. Whether making collaborations with any of the fabulous artist's he's done in the part, or performing solo, Keller will have you on your feet. Joining him will be the Pimps of Joytime, another genre spanning band, you should expect the unexpected. I've seen 2 very different side's of these guys, and I'm aching to see more of their "Janxta Funk".
Keller Williams Kid's Matinee 2:30pm 12/29 - Keller will also be hosting his children's show at 2:30pm. With fun dancy songs that my kiddo loves, take em out for a fun day and then drop em' at the sitters for the evenings events... Everyone gets Keller, and everyone is happy.

William Walter @ Devils Backbone Brewery 12/30

Infamous Stringdusters NYE 12/31@ Jefferson Theaters - "Not your granddaddys bluegrass, unless your granddaddy was Jerry Garcia". They are the front runners in this new wave bluegrass movement. They are kicking asses and taking names. The Festy Experience has had 2 very successful years, and I'm excited to see these guys celebrate NYE with us.

Brothers Past, Eliott Lipp, and Excistor NYE 12/31 @ Canal Club Hailing from Philadelphia, Brother's Past is another fore fronter of their genre. They rock, they jam, they infuse blue grass and, they pull together for one mean show. With a wide variety song list, sound, and rotation, you never know what to expect. Eliott Lipp will be performing a late night DJ set as well.

Former Champions New Years @ City Dogs 1/31

For those of you looking to traveling for New Years I've compiled a list of options(It's getting late in the game though, get on it!)
Phish 4 day run at MSG 12/28-12/31
Furthur 3 day run in San Fran, CA 12/29-12/31
Moe. 2 days at State Theater in Portland Maine 12/30-12/31
Umphrey's McGee 3 days at the Pageant, St. Louis, MO 12/29-12/31
Widespread Panic in Charlotte, NC 12/31
Yonder Mtn String Band 5 nights at Boulder Theater, CO 12/27-12/31
STS9 5 nights at The Tabernacle in Atlanta, GA 12/27-12/31
Perpetual Groove 2 nights at Center Stage in Atlanta, GA 12/30-31
Disco Biscuits 12/26-12/28 in NYC and 12/30-31 in Chicago
Papadosio 12/30-31 in Columbus, Ohio at LC Pavillion

There are many MANY more NYE shows, but these are the cream of the crop, just trust me...

ALSO! Crazy Red Beard @ The Box every tuesday in December - Jonathan Blake is a visionary, producing unique expressions of story telling art that could never be recreated. He will be showing his art at The Box every tuesday while accompanied by some great semi-local talent, Galaxy Dynamite, Eamon Coles, From Here on Blue and one other secret band. Go check it out, support local artists!