ADDISON COUNTY — The New Year is right around the corner and Addison County is ready to celebrate. Saturday, Dec. 31 is packed with festivities like Bristol’s Best Night, partying with The Grift at Middlebury’s Town Hall Theater and the annual Bar Antidote New Year’s Eve Party in Vergennes with Discolicious. Whatever you choose, don’t forget to raise a glass to all the amazing artists in our county.
BRISTOL
Bristol Best Night 2016-2017
Saturday, Dec. 31
Holley Hall Schedule
4 p.m. Kids activities including hula hoop making, face-painting and more.
5 p.m. Magicians without borders.
5:50 p.m. Angus Schwaneflugal on the drums.
6 p.m. Sweet Transition, Mount Abraham Union High School’s a cappella ensemble.
6:50 p.m. Buzz Kuhns
7-9:15 p.m. Open-mic sessions
9:15 p.m. The Holley Hall Allstars, bring together players from Mogani, Greenbush, Gumbo YaYa and the Doughboys to play a fun, funky, jazzy mix for dancing in the New Year.
The Walkover Gallery & Concert Room Schedule
5 p.m. Addison County’s beloved a cappella group, Womensing
6 p.m. Nate Gusakov and Annie Nessen Voorhees will bring to life an ancient Czech folk tale, The Mouse-Hole and the Underground Kingdom. The story will be accompanied by instrumental and vocal music from both storytellers.
7 p.m. Vermont’s own Va-et-vient performs a rich variety of French, Québecois, and Cajun music.
8 p.m. DaddyLongLegs featuring vibrant, sensitive and surprising 21st century folk music by Rick Ceballos, David Gusakov and Matt Witten.
Bristol Baptist Church Schedule
5 p.m. John Dickason with Glenn Goodwin, and members of The Hip Replacements and Gumbo Ya Ya, will perform a mostly original set of music from Dickason’s catalogue of originals.
6 p.m. The Vermont Ukulele Society. The VUS serves meets every second and fourth Monday of the month from 7-9 p.m. in Bristol’s Howden Hall.
7 p.m. Last Train To Zinkov, features violin, viola, banjo and vocals by father-and-son David and Nathan Gusakov in a traditional Appalachian old-time, gypsy jazz and swing performance.
8 p.m. Eric Bessette, Brennan Gervia and the Jazz Jam
Food
Supper is available at the Bristol Baptist Church starting at 5 p.m. in the basement. Soups, breads and more are available. Light food and baked treats will also be available in Holley Hall. Proceeds will benefit the Let’s Hear It for Holley Hall project.
MIDDLEBURY
New Year’s Eve at Town Hall Theater
Two local favorites – The Grift and Otter Creek Brewing – will team up at Middlebury’s Town Hall Theater for a rockin’ New Year’s Eve party.
“We’ve had great bands here on past New Year’s Eves,” said THT’s Doug Anderson, “but we’ve never been able to get The Grift, as they’ve always been in demand for huge events at ski resorts. But we nabbed them this year and it’s a great thing for all of us.” 
A dance party is particularly exciting at THT.  When the seats and risers are removed it creates one of the largest dance floors in the area.
The evening is sponsored by Otter Creek Brewing, and will feature specials on their new beers throughout the night. 
The doors will open at 8 p.m., an opening act will get things started, and The Grift will take the stage at 9 p.m. A free midnight champagne toast, a tradition at THT for those over 21, will ring in the New Year.
Saturday, Dec. 31. Tickets are $15 in advance, $18 at the door, and may be purchased at www.townhalltheater.org, (802) 382-9222 and at the THT Box Office.
VERGENNES
Bar Antidote is hosting its annual New Year’s Eve Party with hometown band Discolicious. Let Lori Towle-Case, Justin Brault, Chris Clark, Harper Michaels and Steve Audy transport you back to a time of platform shoes, polyester bell-bottoms, shaggy fur and glitter before launching into 2017.
This event always sells out, so get your $10 ticket early. Call (802) 877-2555.
Dining will still be available, but if you don’t have a ticket, you’ll need to clear out by the time the band takes the stage at 9:30 on Saturday night. Stick around ‘till midnight, there’ll be a champagne toast.