It’s time to stay out all night to see — and hear — some old friends.

– Junior’s nightclub in downtown River Falls is having not one but two music acts on New Year’s Eve, the Chris Silver Band and the Nasty Habits Brass. Both have local roots but have expanded their scope well beyond River Falls. They each will go on for about two-hour stints starting at around 7 p.m. The Chris Silver Band will open, playing their Americana, Indie-styled and jam band music, and the Nasty Habits will follow. My favorite recollection of the Nasty Habits from last New Year’s was a version of “Play That Funky Music” that also turned into an extensive, several-minute jam with the horn section and featured a sax solo. But this New Year’s Eve at Juniors, there is a special holiday menu to go with the free champagne toast at midnight.

– This whole weekend at Dibbo’s, it will be reunion time with band members who several years ago played the club several times a year. On Saturday, its 8 Foot 4, whose drummer Dan also was in Third Degree back in the day, and has invited some members of that veritable band to join in that night. Also noteworthy is that one of the longtime guitarists, Rick, is the son of former Minnesota Twins great Tony Oliva.
– Then Sunday night at Dibbo’s, its Paint Them Alive, whose frontman Craig held that same role for many years for Toybox, and he’s invited some of those musicians who also used to grace the Dibbo’s stage. They include instrumentalist Brian and Craig’s wife, Brooke, who was lead singer. (The band stopped playing actively when the two got married and decided to start a family, but they’ll be back in true form for this particular night). Also making a return is Brian Stevens, a drummer who also was in Lasher, Scarred By Metal, which performed frequently at Dibbo’s, as well.
– Then on Monday, Dibbo’s is open all night with no closing time for New Year’s Eve, and has the seven-piece band Epic 5, who has one member who looks just like someone from ZZ Top, (which is perfect for New Year’s, as is anyone who on this party night would play LMFAO). This is the first time in recent memory that the club has had bands for three straight nights during the year-end holiday.
– Other bands playing around the area on Monday night include Flashbacks at Willow River Inn in Burkhardt (again, a perfect name for all the memories you might have of past New Year’s Eves), Ed Sheet Rockers at Uncle Mike’s Em Pour E Yum in the town of Hudson, and one man band Oly, who comes well recommended by the people at Hefty’s Roadhouse in Bayport.

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