When New Year's Eve falls on a weekend, good times are to be had. Rock 'n' roll will be the preferred live sound for the Wood River Valley to welcome in 2011. Whiskey Jacques' will start the 2011 celebrations this evening, Dec. 29, with The Chicarones on the main stage downstairs and DJ Wake and DJ Deben spinning tunes upstairs. The Chicharones have toured the world solo and with other bands. The band is a show beyond live music that includes tricks, dancing and boundless energy by its members.
On Thursday, Dec. 30, Micky and the Motorcars will grace the Whiskey Jacques' stage with opening band Old Death Whisper. An American band through and through, as well as being at home in the Wood River Valley, Micky and the Motorcars boast five albums to their credit. Brothers Micky Braun, on vocals and acoustic guitar, and Gary Braun, on vocals, guitars, mandolin and harmonica, have music in their blood. The band is filled out by childhood friend Mark McCoy on bass, Kris Farrow on guitars and saxophone and Shane Vannerson on drums and percussion. Admission is $15 in advance and $18 at the door.
Celebrate New Year's Eve at Whiskey Jacques' with Marmalade Hill for a second year as it covers well-known tunes from Neil Diamond, AC/DC, Snoop Dogg and Van Morrison. Tickets are $50 and include a great evening of party favors and more.
And the music doesn't stop at Whiskey's. On Saturday, Jan. 1, take another listen to the valley's own Old Death Whisper. Inspired by living in Idaho and beyond, Old Death Whisper is a tight and original band that is well worth a $5 cover charge. All shows at Whiskey Jacques' begin at 10 p.m.
At the Silver Dollar in Bellevue, local rockers Hanger 17 will put their best instruments forward for a good time on Dec. 31. The show will start at 9 p.m. and there will be a $5 cover charge at the door.
Finally, a much-anticipated return of the Young Dubliners at the Sun Valley Brewery in Hailey will include the Kelly Martin Trio as an opener. Admission is $40 in advance and $50 at the door. The music will begin at 8:30 p.m. and the Young Dubliners will take the stage at 10:30 p.m.
The Irish-American rockers consider themselves to be ambassadors of Celtic and American rock. The band members' dual Irish and American heritage has always resulted in a distinctive and richly varied musical palette.
For a complete listing of music events in the valley, see the Music, Dance and Theater section of the Calendar on Page C3.
-Sabina Dana Plass
Photo by David Safian
Irish-American rockers the Young Dubliners return to the Sun Valley Brewery to rock in the New Year.
