It's New Year's Eve and you don't need me to tell you that there is a lot going on, but perhaps I can guide you through some of your live-music options. I have to say one of my big highlights of the night is the unexpected Centennial Concert at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion. This is going to kick off the Exposition Centennial year at the park, and it is free to the public.The performance begins at 7:30 p.m., so you can drop in, catch the spectacle, and still make it out to whatever show you choose to ring in the new year. And there are so many, but let's focus: If you want the big shindigs, they're all listed below, but if you want to keep it fun without hype (and cheap by New Year's standards), you've got the always-awesome Cumbia Machin at the Ken Clubl; the Mother Hips and Nicki Bluhm & the Gramblers team up for a kick-ass good time at the North Park Theatre (read our Mother Hips interview here); and Mrs. Magician, Heavy Hawaii and Teenage Burritos deliver a 1-2-3 punch of local awesome to make this New Year's Eve one to remember.
NEW YEAR'S EVE! Wednesday, Dec. 31:
- Mrs. Magician, Heavy Hawaii, Teenage Burritos @ Soda Bar
- The Mother Gramblers, the Mother Hips, Nicki Bluhm & the Gramblers @ North Park Theatre
- Spreckels Centennial Concert @ Organ Pavilion, Balboa Park (free, seating at 5:30 p.m., concert at 7:30 p.m.)
- LED OMFG! NYE 2015 Night III, with Epic Prydz, Whyel, Deorro, Branchez, Henry Fong, Dirty Audio, Gareth Emery, Haterade, GTA, Deth Hertz, Ookay, Nightcrime, Alex Metric, Lucky7, Bixel Boys, Deth Hertz @ Valley View Casino Center
- Big Night San Diego, featuring Fishbone, Agua Dulce, George Acosta, Whoand Paolo da Rosa, DJ Happee, JT Douglas Band, Kristina Sky, Mike Czech, DJ Bakspin, EklekTek and more @ Hilton Bayfront
- TJR, Kyle Flesch @ Fluxx
- Private Party with the Raveonettes @ Casbah (invite only)
- Adventure Club @ Hard Rock Hotel (3 floors, 5 Venues, 20+ DJS)
- Cumbia Machin, the SleepWalkers, DJ Viejo Lowbo, Goma @ Ken Club
- Donovan Frankenreiter, Tom Curren @ Belly Up
- Lady Dottie & the Diamonds, DJ Man Cat, Trio Gadjo, Miss Erika Davies, Melly G & the Madmen, Sarah Cranberry, Circus Mafia, Curtis Taylor @ The Lafayette
- The Liquorsmiths, Mike Pope & songsFORpeople @ Seven Grand (free)
- Gilbert Castellanos & the Park West Ensemble @ Croce's Park West (8 p.m.)
- DJs Junior & Vaughn Avakian @ Bar Pink
- Mad Men Party @ Westgate Hotel
- Moonlight Cruise III @ California Spirit, Harbor Excursions
- DJ Craig Smoove, Calpo, Spags @ AD Nightclub
- Shoe Scene Symphony, Dj Fresh One, DJ G-Roy, Chris Cutz, Frankie M, Chris Devoy, DJ FishFonics, Billy the Kidd @ Catamaran Resort
- Tritonal @ Bassmnt
- Bixel Boys @ Bang Bang
- DJ Redlight, Dance MC Meeshiravi @ Queen Bee's
- Great Gatsby Party @ McFadden's
- Amtrac, DJ Beatnick @ Ivy Nightclub at Andaz
- DJ Ikon @ Parq
- Artform & Peso @ Bluefoot
- DJs EdRoc & Kanye Asada @ The Office
- Soulkiss Party @ The Hideout
- Booty Bassment @ Whistle Stop
- Straight No Chaser: The Happy Hour Tour @ San Diego Civic Theatre
- DJ Louis @ West Coast Tavern
- Candye Kane NYE Happy Hour, with Debbie Davies @ Belly Up (5 p.m.)
- Alternate Ascension 2015 @ World Beat Center
- Plastik Deer (EP release), the Slashes, the Kooties @ Tin Can
- Block Party 2015 @ House of Blues
- Irving Flores, Nina Francis (1-year anniversary party) @ Croce's Park West (5-8 p.m.)
- DJ Bacon Bits @ U-31
- Black Tie Blowout, with Kid Wonder @ El Dorado
- Records With Roger @ Bluefoot
- The Brothers Gow @ Winston's
- The Ratts Revenge: DJ Tiki Thomas & Mikey Ratt @ Tower Bar
- Joy, Wild Honey, Plant Tribe, DJ Mikey Ratt @ Til-Two Club
- Viva Santana @ Humphrey's Backstage Live
- SM Familia @ Boar Cross'n
- DJ R2 & Sammi B@ Gallagher's Irish Pub
- Leon @ Tio Leo's
- The Routine @ 710 Beach Club
- Black Tie CEO Club Party @ Westin Emerald Plaza
- DJ Birdy Bird, DJ Moe, Memphis @ Spin
- After Hours with K.I.W.I., Jason Drenik, Rick Betta @ Spin (Thursday 2-10 a.m.)
- Antonio Aguilera, Jimmy Boy @ Henry's Pub
- DJ Gina Cat @ V Lounge, Viejas Casino
Rosemary Bystrak is the publicist for the Casbah and The North Park Theatre, and writes about the San Diego music scene, events and general musings about life in San Diego on San Diego: Dialed In. Follow her updates on Twitter or contact her directly.
