Toes will be tapping and hips will swaying for two shows at Coquitlam's Evergreen Cultural Centre on New Year's Eve.
The Dec. 31 events both start at 8 p.m., with the Coquitlam-based Quiring Chamber Players in the theatre to launch their fifth annual new year's concert.
For this year's recital, husband-and-wife team Reg Quiring (viola) and Rosemary O'Connor (piano) have invited the dynamic gypsy jazz string quartet od Van Django to usher in 2013 with an eclectic mix of music - stretching from the Classical era of the late 1700s to the swinging sounds of the 1930s.
Quiring and O'Connor will kick off the evening with Brahms' Hungarian Dances Nos. 1 and 3, and Tchaikovsky's Melodie and Waltz Sentimentale.
Next up is Van Django - aka Cameron Wilson (violin), Budge Schachte (guitar), Finn Manniche (guitar and cello) and Brent Gubbles (acoustic bass) - which will entertain with a set made up of standard gypsy swing tunes as well as original tracks, primarily from their second CD, Waltz in the Shape of a Tree, that was released in April.
After the intermission, Quiring, O'Connor, Wilson and Manniche will take to the stage for a rendition of Mozart's Quartet in E-flat major. Van Django will have a second set before Quiring and O'Connor join the group for Wilson's arrangement of Black and Tan Fantasy, a Duke Ellington classic.
Wilson, who used to work for a decade with Quiring at the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, said though the program may be varied, "there's a lot of crossover with the genres... It will be a very energetic show. People will be tapping their toes to the Classical section as well as to the gypsy jazz."
The Quiring New Year shows have become something of a tradition for many Tri-City music lovers "with many residents coming every year," O'Connor said. "It's nice to see them return."
In the first year, the Quiring Chamber Players did an encore with a twist on Auld Lang Syne that was arranged by Wilson. "And now it's really fun to actually have him with us for our fifth New Year's show," O'Connor said.
Tickets at $38/$34/$15 include a sparkling wine reception afterwards. Call 604-927-6555 or visit www.evergreenculturalcentre.ca.
Meanwhile, over in the Evergreen rehearsal space, the Hot Salsa Dance Zone will host its third annual party with salsa, merengue, bachata, cha cha cha and cumbia dance music.
Doors open at 8 p.m. with an hour-long dance class for beginners at 8:30 p.m. At 10 p.m., there will be a circus performance and belly dancing show, with the dance party happening from 10:30 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Organizer Alberto Gonzalez said his regular salsa classes in Coquitlam, New Westminster, Surrey and Abbotsford over the past year have yielded some surprising results, with some participants reuniting on the dance floor for the first time in many years.
As for the New Year's event, the licensed bash is open to participants 19 and over. The cost is $25 before Dec. 26, $30 before Dec. 30 and $35 at the door. Call 604-725-4654.
THE BRO' AND TROOPER
Join Vancouver radio personality Brother Jake of Classic Rock 101.1 FM as he rings in the new year in Coquitlam with Trooper.
The Red Robinson Show Theatre, next to Boulevard Casino, hosts a buffet dinner and 19+ show with the rock band on Dec. 31, starting at 7:30 p.m. (tickets can also be purchased for the 11 p.m. concert only). A Juno-award winning band, Trooper is best known for their songs Two For The Show, We're Here for a Good Time, and Raise A Little Hell.
Call Ticketmaster at 1-855-985-5000.
