B.Gump’s 101 & Restaurant and Lounge

The B/Charmers blues and jazz band will perform at B.Gump’s 101 Restaurant & Lounge on New Year’s Eve. $20. Admission includes an hors d’oeuvres buffet and champagne toast. Lounge opens at 4 p.m. Dec. 31; show begins at 8 p.m. 5147 Main St., Sylvania. (419) 517-2199 or bgumps.com.

Bar 145

Bar 145 will offer three packages for New Year’s Eve. The Night Out package ($20 per person) includes  a champagne toast, party favors, hors d’oeuvres and admission after 9 p.m. Dec. 31. The Dinner Package ($30 per person) starts at 6 p.m. and includes a four-course meal and a bottle of champagne. The Dinner and Night Out package includes a four-course meal, bottle of champagne, party favors, hors d’oeuvres and all-night admission starting at 6 p.m. Call (872) 2-BAR145 for reservations. bar145toledo.com.

Bar Louie

Bar Louie will offer a $75 all-inclusive New Year’s Eve package, which includes cocktails from 9 p.m. to midnight, a champagne toast at midnight and a breakfast buffet from 12:30-2:30 a.m. Jan. 1. 4105 Levis Commons Blvd, Perrysburg. (419) 874-9774 or www.barlouieamerica.com.

Big Band New Year’s Eve Gala

The Johnny Knorr Orchestra, under the direction of the late band leader’s son Jerry Knorr, will offer music for dancing plus a buffet dinner, ballroom dance show and champagne toast. A new CD, “We’ll Meet Again,” will be available for $15. Doors 6:30 p.m. Dec. 31, Stranahan Great Hall, 4645 Heatherdowns Blvd. $60. Reserve tickets by Dec. 28. (419) 697-7612 or johnnyknorr.com.

Blarney Irish Pub

Toledo cover band Nine Lives will play Downtown at The Blarney on Dec. 31. Prime rib or fish and chips will be served for $25 per person or a champagne toast and party favors for a $10 cover charge. Call for reservations. 601 Monroe St., Toledo. (419) 418-2339 or www.theblarneyirishpub.com.

The Blind Pig

The Bang will be returning to The Blind Pig at 9:30 p.m.  Dec. 31. $15 (21+). 208 N. First St., Ann Arbor. (734) 996-8555 or www.blindpigmusic.com.

The Bronze Boar

Danny Mettler & the New Year will be playing an acoustic guitar set at The Bronze Boar in the Downtown Warehouse District, where party hats and champagne will be provided. Doors open 6 p.m. Dec. 31; show starts at 9 p.m. 20 S. Huron St. (419) 244-2627 or www.bronzeboar.com.

Bretz

New Year’s Eve at Bretz will feature a midnight balloon drop and champagne toast, more than $1,000 in cash and prizes, two drag shows and more. 2012 Adams St. (419) 243-1900 or Bretz Bar on Facebook.

The Dance Clinic

The Dance Clinic will be hosting a New Year’s Eve dance and dinner party, beginning with a dance lesson followed by a dinner buffet provided by La Scola Italian Grill and dancing throughout the night. $55. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 31 to 1 a.m. Jan. 1. Graystone Hall, 29101 Hufford Road, Perrysburg. (419) 475-3055 or www.thedanceclinic.com.

Dégagé Jazz Café New Year’s Eve Dance Party

Laurie Swyers and her blues band will start their first set at 7 p.m. Dec 31. The dance floor will open at 9 p.m. Party favors and champagne will be provided at midnight. There will also be a set menu for $65 per person or $120 per couple. Reservations are recommended. 301 River Road, Maumee. (419) 794-8205 or www.degagejazzcafe.com.

The Old Road Dinner Train

The Old Road Dinner Train will pick up passengers for a New Year’s Eve celebration at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 31, returning at 10:30 p.m. 301 E. Adrian, Blissfield. (888) 467-2451 or  www.murdermysterytrain.com.

The Distillery

Cover band Arctic Clam will play Top 40 and alternative songs at The Distillery in South Toledo. Show begins after  9 p.m. Dec. 31 (21+). 4311 Heatherdowns Blvd. (419) 382-1444 or www.thedistilleryonline.com.

Eyes Wide Shut Masquerade Ball

Dancing, drinks, champagne toast, fortune tellers, balloon drop, desserts and giveaways from the Beauty Bar along with 10 percent off masquerade wear from the Costume Holiday House are included in admission to the Eyes Wide Shut Masquerade Ball in Downtown Toledo. $25 presale. Limited tickets available. Doors open 8 p.m. Dec. 31. 35 N. Huron St., Toledo. (419) 410-4769 or newyearsevetoledo.com.

Fat Fish Blue Party

Toledo rhythm and blues band Bourbon Street will play at Fat Fish Blue at Levis Commons on New Year’s Eve. A cover charge ($10 in advance, $15 day of show) includes admission, a champagne toast and party favors. Reservations by phone (21+). Event begins at 8:30 p.m. Dec. 31; band starts at 10 p.m. 6140 Levis Commons Blvd., Perrysburg. (419) 931-3474 or fatfishfunnybonetoledo.com.

Funny Bone New Year’s Eve Buffets and Shows

The Toledo Funny Bone in Levis Commons will host comic Billy D. Washington for its New Year’s Eve shows. A dinner buffet will be served with the first show at 7 p.m. Dec. 31. Washington will perform again at 10 p.m. and appetizers will be served. Tickets are $60 for the first show, $45 for the second (21+).  6140 Levis Commons Blvd, Perrysburg. (419) 931-3474 or funnybonecentral.com.

Hollywood Casino Toledo

A chance to win $2,013 or more in free slot play is a one reason to ring in the new year at Hollywood Casino Toledo. A Marquee Rewards card member will win $2,013 every hour from 9-11 p.m. followed by the grand prize drawing — $12,013 in free slot play — at 1 a.m. DJ Rob Sample and house/pop/funk band Disco Inferno will play in the H Lounge starting at 8 p.m. Party favors will be handed out at all entrances starting at 10 p.m., while supplies last. The countdown at Times Square will be shown on televisions across the casino floor starting at 11:45 p.m. 21+. (877) 777-9579 or hollywoodcasinotoledo.com.

Manhattan’s

Alan Smith and the Blues All Stars will play at Manhattan’s in Downtown Toledo on New Year’s Eve. Dinner pre-seatings will be at 6 p.m., 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. A $15 cover for champagne and party favors will apply after 8 p.m. 1516 Adams St., Toledo. (419) 243-6675 or www.manhattanstoledo.com.

Noon Year’s Eve at the Zoo

The Toledo Zoo will celebrate the New Year earlier in the day with a go-green themed event for families. Crafts and ice carving demonstrations will take place and special guests from Radio Disney Detroit will be broadcasting. At noon, guests can watch a ball made of recycled materials rise and toast with apple juice in souvenir cups. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 31. Free with zoo admission. 2700 Broadway St., Toledo. (419) 385-4040 or www.toledozoo.org.

Port Clinton Walleye Drop

Festivities begin at 4 p.m. Dec. 31 with the Family Fun Center at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 109 E. Perry St., Port Clinton. There will be an early Walleye Drop at 6 p.m. for kids. Also starting at 6 p.m. will be street vendors and music provided by Rock & Roll Express along Madison Street in downtown Port Clinton. The Walleye Drop will take place at midnight. www.walleyemadness.com or Walleye Madness at Midnight on Facebook.

Yeeha’s

Yeeha’s in Oregon is offering a variety of New Year’s Eve party packages, which include dinner, drinks and hotel rooms as well as a champagne toast and shuttle services. Packages $69-$269 (21+). DJ ADubb will play. 3150 Navarre Ave., Oregon. (419) 691-8880 or www.yeehas.com.

Tags: Blarney Irish Pub, Hollywood Casino Toledo, New Year's Eve

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 18th, 2012 at 12:29 pm and is filed under Holidays, Star.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

The Johnny Knorr Orchestra is bringing the big-band sound back to New Year’s Eve with its gala celebration. Last year was the first time in decades the party did not occur.

This year will mark the 27th New Year’s Eve Gala, said Jerry Knorr, the musical director. Knorr’s father Johnny started the orchestra in 1960 and died in August 2011.

“The Stranahan Great Hall (the party’s location), they had booked another party [last year] and it was shortly after my father’s passing and it was just a little too much to handle. We’re pleased to be able to bring it back this year and resume a longstanding tradition,” Jerry said.

The party will feature a large dance floor, a buffet by Michael’s Gourmet Catering and a performance by the ballroom act “Strictly Show.” There will also be a champagne toast to welcome 2013. “Ragtime” Rick Grafing and Dennis Williams will emcee the event.

The late Johnny Knorr, left, and his son Jerry Knorr. Toledo Free Press File Photo.

And of course, The Johnny Knorr Orchestra will perform.

Jerry took over as musical director in early 2011 and has continued to lead the band since his father’s death. He joined the orchestra as a high school student.

“I’ve been with the orchestra since day one and have always been a part of it and this is just an evolution, continuing the tradition. As we approach our 53rd year, to me, it’s just been a natural transition of carrying on the orchestra,” Jerry said.

Michael Drew Shaw, a longtime friend of Johnny’s who also produced a documentary on the orchestra, said, “I think that it’s been a difficult year for Jerry. … These guys weren’t just father and son, they were business partners. They lived next door to each other out in Oregon. I know Jerry took the loss of his pop pretty hard, but I’ve been impressed with his determination to keep the band going.”

The reason the orchestra is so successful is because of its commitment to Johnny’s principles — and to pleasing the crowd, Jerry said.

“[Johnny] grew up as what was known as a sideman and played with several different orchestras. And he thought he just wanted to do things a little bit better so he formed his own orchestra,” Jerry said.

“[He] always was striving for a little bit better and I guess that’s what brought about the longevity (of the group). He always was observant and played for the dancers … we always played for the audience, the dancers, so they always wanted us to return.”

Shaw said the orchestra’s work ethic is why it has been on the Toledo music scene for so long.

“[Jerry and Johnny] have a passion for the music they play. … The orchestra members have that same passion. They just love to get out there and play the music.

“I think it’s that collective passion they have for keeping big-band music alive,” he said.

Although they have the same work ethic, Jerry said there are differences between him and his father.

“Dad was a very stern taskmaster and I guess I’m a little more relaxed about it and achieve similar goals in a different manner” he said.

Like his father, Jerry plays the saxophone and the clarinet. His grandfather was also musical and played the piano.

Jerry has an engineering degree and also attended the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y.

Today, his orchestra has 12 members and two vocalists. The average tenure of an orchestra member is 25 years, Jerry said.

“These are all professional musicians and they travel as much as 100 miles to come play with us,” he said.

The orchestra will release a new CD, “We’ll Meet Again,” at its New Year’s Eve party.

“We’re very excited about being able to have this new CD and have that be a part of the New Year’s Eve function. It’s been a few years since we did a recording, so we’re pleased to bring it out,” Jerry said, adding that the new album is “a little

bit of the past, the present and

the future.”

The CD will also be available for $15 at johnnyknorr.com.

The gala draws in people from all over, Jerry said.

“The event is sometimes quite amazing as to the following we have. I have people who have obtained tickets from Columbus and from as far away as Florida.”

Tickets for the gala are $60 per person and must be purchased by Dec. 28. Call (419) 697-7612 to purchase. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 31 at the Stranahan Great Hall, 4645 Heatherdowns Blvd.

Tags: Jerry Knorr, Johnny Knorr, Johnny Knorr Orchestra, New Year's Eve

This entry was posted on Friday, December 14th, 2012 at 4:30 pm and is filed under Arts and Life, Holidays, Music.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Despite the holiday break, popular bars in downtown Bowling Green are expecting a huge turnout Friday night to bring in the new year.

Eric Pelham, co-owner of bars City Tap and The Attic, said every bar in Bowling Green creates an atmosphere people are used to on New Year’s Eve.

“On New Years, lots of bars in the cities usually have a big $20 or $30 cover for the whole night,” he said. “Bowling Green is more of a bar hopping town where people can go anywhere.”

Pelham opened City Tap and The Attic in fall 2009 along with Jeff Hobbie who has owned Uptown/Downtown Sports Bar and Deli since 1979. Since then City Tap has gained popularity, offering over 40 foreign and domestic beers on tap. The Attic, located above City Tap is also an 18+ favorite due to its club feel and outside patio.

Pelham, who is also a manager at Uptown/Downtown said he and Hobbie will bring the same atmosphere there for the bars’ 31st New Year.

Pelham said one of the biggest draws to bars on New Year’s Eve is the party-like feel. He said City Tap, The Attic and Uptown/Downtown will all be giving away party favors like beads and noise makers throughout the night. At midnight, there will be a champagne toast for 21+ patrons.

“We always have huge crowds at all the bars on new years, especially before the ball drops,” Pelham said. “The fact that people from the university are usually gone on break doesn’t really slow down business at all, plus lots of people come back just for New Year’s Eve.”

Tags: Bowling Green, New Year's Eve, Star

This entry was posted on Friday, December 31st, 2010 at 1:22 pm and is filed under Arts and Life, Holidays, Star.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.