Arkie Is Moving to Phoenix
Arkie Calkins has been a prolific member of Orlando’s music scene for more than a few years. He brought depth to bubblegum-psych group Moon Jelly’s sound as their percussionist. His experiment with Moon Jelly bandmate Tim Murray, Zenas Fisk, utilized nothing but cell phones, pedals and Twitter to create atmospheric space jams of varying note. As a solo act, ARK, Calkins put out an EP this year, Songs in the Key of I, that captured his love of experimental pop over four sun-dappled tracks. As the former drummer in weirdo party band Alias Punch, Calkins helped organize Radioshaq, 2012’s series of Shaq-themed shows in Mills 50. A “Where’s Arkie?” gimmick ostensibly sent Calkins tumbling through space-time in the gap between the second and third Radioshaqs, but this farewell show is no hoax. Calkins and his wife, Winter (of Shine Shed fame), are headed out to Phoenix, Arizona, to further their respective arts. So this is the swan song of the original lineup of Alias Punch and the current configuration of Moon Jelly, along with the last ARK show in town for a while. Best of luck to Arkie and Winter. We hope you don’t become strangers. – Thaddeus McCollum
9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30, at Will’s Pub, $5
Butch Trucks & the Freight Train Band's Holiday Show
The Allman Brothers Band drummer brings a special holiday-themed jam band show to the Plaza Live.
7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30, at the Plaza Live, $29.50-$124.50
Ben Prestage
"I'll do my one-man band thing for the first couple of hours, and then Jon'll come up and join me for the last couple," Ben Prestage says. "I've seen a lot of one-man bands, but nobody's doing what we're doing – Jon can produce the full drum kit sound, do finger-style ragtime duets with me and definitely bring more power while still giving me the freedom to do what I do. It'll be like two one-man bands in one." Check out our interview with Ben Prestage.
9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, at Will’s Pub, $10
Talk Yo Shit!
Oh, you’ve got options for New Year’s Eve, sure. But if you are the kind of person who’s drawn to Talk Yo Shit!’s jk-elitist dance night vibe, you know you’ve got options every silly day. What Talk Yo Shit! serves to do with recurring parties downtown (typically at the Patio) is create a chill space for freaks to feel at ease. For this special New Year’s Eve iteration, the minglers meander over to the Social for a bigger blowout locale that meets DJ Fiona Trapple’s high standards to properly host his particular breed of party people. If this all sounds insider-y, show up to gawk. If you know what’s up, this will be some of the purest fun this night to wring out the faded sweat rag that was 2015 and ring in the bright potential of 2016. Bonus: There are prizes, drink specials and additional vibes provided by B8TA and Andre, bumping trap, bass, soul, funk and future.
10 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, at the Social, free
Kristin Chenoweth
Tired of that depressing New Year’s Eve party you go to every year where the drinks aren’t even good? You could do it again this year, or you could join Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth in welcoming 2016 at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. The Tony and Emmy award-winning star is bringing her pipes to Orlando for a performance with special guest Cheyenne Jackson. If you don’t go just for the pleasure of hearing Chenoweth sing “Defying Gravity,” the all-inclusive ticket packages come with a champagne toast, drink tickets, party favors and an afterparty that goes until the wee hours. – Monivette Cordeiro
8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, at Walt Disney Theater, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, $110-$250
JJ Grey & Mofro
Dig in with Jacksonville's best jams from JJ Grey & Mofro, with special guest Kaleigh Baker opening the night up right, to ring in the new year with true soul.
8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, at House of Blues, $35
Traitors
Dropping a new EP, Night Terrors, in a couple weeks, Florida metal band Traitors joins a heavy bill to shake you awake for the new year.
6:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 1, at Backbooth, $12
Gnarly Whales
They're saying it might be Gnarly Whales' last show, so come out to pick up their new CD I Hate Folk Punk as a send-off and catch their final set speckled with special guests.
7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2, at Will's Pub, $6
Mystic Inane
New Orleans punks Mystic Inane jumpstart Total Punk's 2016 concert series with noted locals Golden Pelicans and Manic & the Depressives.
8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 3, at Uncle Lou's Entertainment Hall, $5
Odessos
The sweet-tempered indie
melodies of Odessos come to Olde 64's free Monday show series with Masamune and Young Mothers.
8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 4, at Olde 64, free
Winter Soulstice
Catch local hip-hop favorites City Tucker and Palmer Reed featured in this deep showcase alongside Cagethegreat & IF.
8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 5, at Backbooth, $7
Snarky Puppy
Drawing on the unique musical mastery of a rotating lineup of more than 40 musicians, Snarky Puppy is an elite and imaginative funk-fueled force that has forever changed its dedicated audience (or more accurately: community) for the better. The near-unparalleled musicianship of this vastly creative jam band got a Grammy nod for their 2015 album, Sylva, for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album, encouraging longtime fans and new groove seekers to equally swarm with great interest.
7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 5, at the Plaza Live, $29.50-$49.50
