Stephanie Andelman, Nederland.  A Monday night New Year’s Eve means an extended weekend of celebrations as we enter 2019. If you want to get out for live music, smiling faces and cheers with neighbors, here are some choice options. You can even be home in time to watch the Times Square Ball Drop at 10 p.m.

Nederland features the Gina Sobel Band, from Charlottesville, VA. Gina returns to the Pioneer Inn with her flute, saxophone, guitar and impressive range of vocals. Her music explores jazz, folk, rock and lots of funk/soul tunes to get people shaking on the dance floor. Her backup band members are also ready to throw some hip hop into the mix. The $5 cover includes a champagne toast at midnight, and the music begins at 9:30 p.m.

If you’d like to start early and go back in time, the Teller House in Central City is turning off their electricity and acting Victorian. Hosted by the new restaurant JKQ BBQ, this event is from 4-10 p.m. with acoustic music by Robby Wicks and patrons dressed in their finest Victorian clothes.

In Black Hawk, Monarch Casino’s Stage Bar has bands 5 p.m. - 2:30 a.m. Check out The Boomers (hits from the 60’s on) until 10 p.m. and then Something Like Seduction (reggae & rock) to close out the night. Saratoga Casino is going retro with 80s cover band Clare Church starting at 7 p.m. They have champagne toasts at 4 p.m. and midnight, swag giveaways, a photo booth and drawings from 1 p.m.-1 a.m. ($10,000 cash prizes to 15 winners and Hot Seats).

Head out to Estes Park and party with Electric Toast at Lonigans Saloon Nightclub & Grill. This local favorite four-piece electrifying rock band starts at 9 p.m. and takes a brief break for a champagne toast at midnight. Reserve your seat on their bus leaving from Nederland and reserve a room at a deep discount. See Electric Toast’s Facebook page for more details.

Gold Hill’s sold out show opens with Banshee Tree at 8 p.m., followed by Halden Wofford & The Hi-Beams. Tickets at $36 include music, buffet, and champagne at midnight.

For those who have a special place in their heart for Tom Petty and the GasPops, go to the Fox Theatre. Gasoline Lollipops are performing Tom Petty’s Wildflowers album in its entirety. The show starts at 9 p.m., and tickets are $25. Grant Farm and River Arkansas will also be on stage to bring this album and singer back to life.

Finally, if you are determined to be home bound (or have to be office bound) on December 31, tune into community radio station KGNU. At 9:30 a.m., the Morning Sound Alternative takes stock of the past year and the year ahead with songs about regret and songs that offer advice. At noon, the Afternoon Sound Alternative explores some of the best music from KGNU’s Top 100 Albums of 2018.

(Originally published in the December 27, 2018, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)