Asheville New Year's Eve Events | Citizen-Times

Asheville New Year’s Eve parties

TONY KISS • TKISS@CITIZEN-TIMES.COM • PUBLISHED DECEMBER 31, 2010 12:15 AM

Millions stay home to watch “Dick Clark‘s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve,” and this year, the veteran TV personality will feature a mash-up of New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys, plus Ke$sha, Taio Cruz, Jennifer Hudson, Willow Smith, Ne-Yo, Avril Lavigne and Train (starting at 10 Friday night on ABC, locally on WLOS/Channel 13).

If you’re headed out, there are plenty of choices. We’ve picked out a handful of hot spots around town. Enjoy and be careful out there.

The big show

The Avett Brothers play a two-night stand Thursday-Friday at the Asheville Civic Center arena, and that promises to be the largest gathering anywhere in town.

Officially, it’s sold out, though tickets can still be found at various online sites. The show will bring thousands of fans downtown, adding to the overall madness.

Another brother act

Sons of Ralph, one of the city’s most popular bands, mixes bluegrass and rock New Year’s Eve at Jack of the Wood, 95 Patton Ave.

These boys are sure to pack the place, so get over there early, get something to eat and bring in the new year.

Groove at the Grove

The historic Grove House, 11 Grove St., downtown, has a solid New Year’s Eve package planned with entertainment in three venues.

Club Eleven brings out electronic and video production with A/V Club producers Nicodemus and VJ Loopy Jenkins and Tech Tribe producers Yorgo Simou, J-Hecht & Luis Armando.

Scandals Nightclub has DJ Stratos and dance music.

And the Boiler Room has drag performers and DJ Acolyte with club house, tech house and Top 40 music.

Admission is $15 for club members, $20 everyone else (ages 18 and older). Visitwww.thegrovehouse.com/specialevents.htm

On the Avenue

The new Avenue M restaurant, 791 Merrimon Ave. (that’s the former Usual Suspects location) is celebrating with a band featuring Whitney Moore, Chuck Lichtenberger, Ozzie Orengo and Grant Cuthbertson.

Everybody smile

Mangolia’s, 26 Walnut St., has Crocodile Smile Friday night at 10 p.m. The next-door Cinjade’s nightclub will be thumping with dance music.

These folks have been toasting in the new year since well before downtown was so hot (Cinjades opened in 1984; Magnolia’s in ’88).

All you need is love

White Horse Black Mountain, 105 C Montreat Road, Black Mountain, is one of the area’s finest music venues. Their New Year’s Eve party features John Leo and the Eggmen with a John Lennon tribute, plus Asheville’s own Swayback Sisters.

It’s a $20 cover and worth it.

Family fun

We still miss Asheville’s old First Night celebration, but Marion has picked up the tradition. That town’s second annual First Night New Year’s Eve Celebration happens Friday evening and features music, food and entertainment.

At midnight, a replica gold nugget will be dropped onto the platform of the Marion Fire Department’s tower truck. Rock!