Say Goodnight, 2024: A New Year’s Eve Recap – Isthmus

We’re not going to lie: 2024 was a tough year and the forecast for 2025 is grim. You could just as easily celebrate as you did in 1999.

Clubs:

Alchemy Cafe: Nuggernaut with Robin Lee & Adam Ginsberg, WORT-FM Benefit, 10 p.m. $15.

The appendix: Salty, MiKrodot, Spunback, Courier, SirSteez, free food, 8pm-2am $30 off. Tickets: eventbrite.com.

Bierock: Forró Fo Sho, 8 p.m

Bowl-a-Vard lanes: Sunset Strip, 8 p.m

Buck & Honey’s, Sun Prairie: Jerry Fitzpatrick, 5:30 p.m.; James Crockett, 9 p.m

Bur Oak: DJ ScaryMike, The Geminis, 8 p.m. $20.

Cafe Carpe, Fort Atkinson: Chris Hanson Band, 5:30 p.m. $65 including dinner at 3 p.m. (sold out); Show only for $40. Tickets: cafecarpe.com.

Café Coda: Hanah Jon Taylor Band, DJ M. White, Comedy by D-Rock, Craig White, 7 p.m. ($22.50); DJ M. White, 10:30 p.m. ($25). Tickets: cafecoda.club.

Cardinal Bar: DJs Fuzzy Duck, Sarah Akawa, 9pm-3am $10.

Come back in: The N’achos, 9:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m

Comedy about the state: Jon Dore, 5, 7:30 and 10 p.m

Jon Dore began his stand-up career in his native Canada and has been on an upward trajectory ever since, with an impressive list of television and film roles over the past few decades. Check out this innovative, sophisticated, metatextual take on the stand-up form mixed with classic stand-up bits. If you want to see what stand-up should be like, look no further. Tickets at madisoncomedy.com.

Concourse Hotel: VO5, 9:30 p.m. ($65); Frank Martin Busch & the Names, 9:45 p.m. (free, in the bar). Further performances with overnight packages: concoursehotel.com.

Crucible: Rebirth, 8 p.m

If there was a final year worth partying until 4 a.m. on a Tuesday night, then 2024 is certainly in the running. Crucible will help break through with hard-hitting club action from DJs Acideon, CausticMF (aka Matt Fanale), psych0tron and senseless. Tickets at brownpapertickets.com.

Crystal corner: Hometown Sweethearts, 9 p.m. $20.

Esquire Club: Tony Castañeda Latin Jazz Band, 9:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m

When the Tony Castañeda Latin Jazz Band is on the premises, it’s immediately a party. So the ensemble is a prescient choice to herald the arrival of live music at the Esquire Club. The long-standing supper club looks set to be a hot party spot up north on New Year’s Eve, and it will be interesting to see what Esquire’s new owner (former Cafe Montmarte co-owner Craig Spaulding) has in store for entertainment in 2025.

Food House: Gary Beal Band, 9 p.m

Gamma radiation: Natty Nation, Ghostland Radio, DJ Harshbeats, 9 p.m

Garver feed mill: New Year’s Revolution, 8:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m

Hosted by adventurous Madison rockers The Earthlings, this cosmic New Year’s Eve party (UFO ball drop, anyone?) returns for a second year to create an immersive environment in Garver. Featuring an eclectic lineup of local bands – Seasaw, Heavy Looks and the mighty Cribshitter – as well as DJ Kayla Kush (host of Saturday Night Style on WORT-FM). “Intergalactic party wear” is encouraged. Tickets at exploretock.com.

Harmony Bar: Combo Noir, 9 p.m. $20 ($15 off).

High Noon Saloon: The Kissers, 5 p.m. ($15; free for children 12 and under); Granny Shot, 9:30 p.m. ($18). Tickets: high-noon.com.

Ivory room: Jim Ripp, Luke Hrovat-Staedter, Anthony Cao, Leslie Cao, 9 p.m. $50. Tickets: eventbrite.com.

Lola’s Hi/Lo Lounge: DJ Nate Zukas, 4 p.m.; DJ Nick Nice, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. ($60; tickets: etix.com).

Lonely Girl, Waunakee: DJs Joe Romenesko, JC7, 8 p.m

Paddy Mac’s, Verona: Top Shelf, 4 p.m

Majestic: Armchair Boogie, Them Coulee Boys, Joseph Huber, 8:30 p.m

If you’re craving rustic yet progressive sounds from Wisconsin this New Year’s Eve, Majestic’s lineup is for you. Madison’s own Armchair Boogie brings a unique twist to bluegrass that can border on psychedelic funk (such as her extended version of “All My Friends,” which opens the just-released album). Stay at Pine Creek Lodge). Them Coulee Boys also have new music on the way; No fun in the doll will be released at the end of February, ushered in with the soulful single “I Am Not Sad”. Also with singer-songwriter Joseph Huber. Tickets at ticketmaster.com.

Malthouse: Slipjig, 8 p.m

North Street Cabaret: Reverend Raven & the Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys with Westside Andy, 8 p.m., $30 reduction. Tickets: eventbrite.com.

Ohio Tavern: Charlie Painter Trio, 9:00 p.m. – midnight

Paoli Schoolhouse American Bistro, Paoli: Jim White, 6:30-8:30 p.m

Red Rock Saloon: Garrett Speer, 8 p.m. $50. Tickets: redrockmadison.com.

Red Rooster: Birddog Blues Band, Tate & the 008 Band, 6 p.m

Rex’s Innkeeper, Wauankee: Retro Specz, 8 p.m

The Rigby: DJ Khoa Le, 10pm-2am. For free.

Slowpoke Lounge, Spring Green: Violet Palms, Sugar Mama & the Rent Check, The Bad Decisions, 7:30 p.m. Free/Donations.

Under: DJs Britt, Doll, 9 p.m. $5.

The Sylvee: DJs Sarah Akawa, Tanner Savage, 9 p.m. $30-$15. Tickets: ticketmaster.com.

VFW Post 7591-Cottage Grove Road: Dave & Heather, 3 p.m. For free.

Other events:

Ball Drop Flash: Short plays from Mercury Players Theater and Know Better Productions, created in 24 hours, 8 p.m., Bartell Theater. $25. Tickets: bartelltheatre.org.

Family walk: Friends of Urban Nature event led by Julie Melton, 6:30 p.m., Aldo Leopold Nature Center, Monona (meeting at the Children’s Shack). Free.

funny girl, Dec. 31 – Jan. 4, Overture Hall

There’s something about the classic Broadway musicals of the 1960s: stylish, smart, brave, singable. While it’s hard to separate the influence of Barbra Streisand in the lead role of comedian Fanny Brice from the material, Funny girl stands well on its own and actually lives up to the iconic level with songs like “Don’t Rain On My Parade”, “My Man” and “People”. Performances on December 31st at 7 p.m., January 1st and 3rd at 7:30 p.m., January 4th at 2 and 7:30 p.m. and January 5th at 1 and 6:30 p.m. Tickets at overture.org.

Boys on iceBarrymore, 2 p.m

Wisconsin has invented a new holiday tradition! Name another state that can say that! Musical comedy for more than a quarter of a century Boys on ice brings cheeseheads together on the longest, darkest days of the year to share some of our more idiosyncratic winter habits. Set in an ice fishing cabin, the play allows pals Marvin and Loyd to fish, drink and discuss the Packers, as well as sing and dance. Tickets at barrymorelive.com.

Holiday express: Last day, 10am-4pm, Olbrich Gardens. $8 ($5 ages 6-12).

Madison Children’s Museum: Baby New Year’s Party, ages 0-3, 9-10:30 a.m.; Black light activities in the Glow Zone, 10-11:30 a.m.; New Year’s Eve Dance Party, 2:00-3:30 p.m., $12 admission.

My family’s New Year’s Eve: Entertainment and activities, 2-8 p.m., Keva Sports Center, Middleton, with music by David Landau (on the hour 4-7 p.m.), James the Magician (2:30 and 3:30 p.m.), juggler TJ Howell ’16: 30:30 & 17:30, games. $24 (free for children 2 and under). Tickets: kevasports.com.

Cheese drop for New Year’s Eve: Main Street Monroe event, with Beer Garden 3:00 p.m., Activities 4:00 p.m., Cheese Drop 5:00 p.m. (Midnight in Switzerland), Green County Courthouse Square, Monroe.

UW women’s basketball: vs. Minnesota, 3:30 p.m., Kohl Center. Tickets: uwbadgers.evenue.net.