No one wants to be home New Year’s Eve. It is the evening of celebration, bringing in the New Year with a bang and big plans with wishes for the year.
Well, the spirited plans should already to be mapped out and the New Year’s resolutions are always on the drawing board, but party-seekers here in New York have a few jumping spots to consider as we move into 2015. Harlem may be going through some serious gentrification, but the Black cultural capital of the world never lost its flair for a swinging party, especially on New Year’s Eve.
Showman’s (375 W. 125th St.), a Harlem landmark, will be swing- ing to the sounds of “blues man” Ray Schinnery with three sets at 9p.m., 11:30p.m., and 1:30a.m. The evening will cost $50 per person and $100 per couple and will include merrymakers,champagne toast midnight toast, and dinner (barbecue ribs, black-eyed peas,baked chicken, and greens). For more information and reservations call (212) 864-8941.
Paris Blues (2021 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd., at 121st Street), another one of Harlem’s historical clubs,will be celebrating with the Les Goodson Soul Intergalactic Jazz Band with Frank Lacy from 8p.m. to 11pm. The party will hit fourth gear from 11:30p.m. to 3:30a.m. with Melvin Vines Harlem Jazz Machine with Okaru Lovelace. Singles are $40 per person and $45 at the door.Couples go for $70 and $75 at the door. Price includes special New Year’s Eve meal and champagne toast. For reservations call 917-257-7831 or 718-514-4560.
Sista’s Place (456 Nostrand Ave., Brooklyn), the key Brooklyn jazz club, will set it off with trombonist/composer Craig Harris at 10:30p.m. The admission will be $50 per person, which will include a tradition- al champagne toast and buffet of collard greens, fried chicken and potato salad.
On the Upper West Side, Smoke Jazz & Supper Club (2751 Broadway on 105th Street) will feature Eric Alexander & Harold Mabern Sextet with trumpeter Jeremy Pelt, saxophonist Vincent Herring, bassist John Webber and drummer Joe Farnsworth. For New Year’s Eve,
Smoke will offer all-inclusive dinner packages including an open bar and a menu of “soulful American cuisine.” The second seating includes a countdown to the New Year with champagne toast and caviar. The first seating and set begins at 6:30p.m., ad- mission is $175 per person; and the second set begins at 9:45p.m. for $275 per person. For more information and reservations visit the websitewww.smokejazz.com. Downtown at the Jazz Standard (116 E. 27th St.), they will be celebrating with Richard Bona: Mandekan Cubano. The first set is at 7:30p.m. at $135 per person. The second set begins at 10:30p.m. for $195 per person.
Bona’s Afro-Cuban project Mandekan Cubano weaves together disparate roots, alchemizing ancient traditions into surprising new forms. The journey unites African and South American beats in a celebration of sound, rhythm and passion.
His abled ensemble features the trumpeter Dennis Hernandez, trombonist Rey David, pianist Osmany Paredes and percussionist Luisito Quintero.
The sets will include an ex- tensive menu, as well as merrymakers and champagne toast at midnight for the late partygoers. For reservations call (212) 576- 2232 or visit the website jazz- standard.com.
Regardless of where you party, have a great time and an especially healthy and prosperous New Year.
