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The Villages
Friday, March 29, 2024

Plenty of entertainment will be on tap for celebrating New Year’s Eve

Ralph and Dawn DiNome blend their voices in a unique harmony.
Ralph and Dawn DiNome blend their voices in a unique harmony.

Ralph DiNome annually plays one of the biggest New Year’s Eve gigs in The Villages and has just as much fun as the holiday revelers in the audience.

“Playing on New Year’s Eve is a blast; it’s a big party,” said DiNome, who performs Wednesday night around 8 p.m. in the Savannah Center. About 350 people are expected to attend and a few seats remain for the dinner/dance, featuring music from the ‘50s and ‘60s, and some contemporary songs. Those interested can contact him at ralphdinome@gmail.com.

The Villages is a big party town 364 days a year but come New Year’s Eve, everybody seems ready to get down and have some fun kicking out the old and ringing in the new.

“It’s that one day a year when people like to just get out and have fun,” said DiNome, who will sing with his daughter, Dawn, and also the nine-piece Flashback Band. “In The Villages, there are so many places and so many people, you can always find some place to go and some music you like on New Year’s Eve,” DiNome said. “Just take it easy on the drinking. If you’re going to get a little tipsy, let someone else drive home.”

So, stay sober or don’t drive but always remember the The Villages Dec. 31 rule: have fun.

Here is a partial list of the New Year’s Eve shows. If your favorite place isn’t listed, check out www.TheVillages.com/calendar or www.thevillages.com/lifestyle/shoppingdiningmap.asp

The best deals on New Year’s Eve are the free performances at the three Town Squares.

Lake Sumter Landing will be rocking with the soulful sounds of Motown, featuring the Johnny Alston Band. Oldies’ lovers at Paddock Square in Brownwood will be jumping and jiving with Cactus Jack and the Cadillacs. The Town Square at Spanish Springs features the pop music of Second Slice. Music at the Squares runs from 5 until 9 p.m.

Rocky and the Rollers
Rocky and the Rollers

Rocky and the Rollers have long been one of the biggest draws in The Villages, and the guys will be keeping that rock and doo-wop music alive at Katie Belle’s in the Spanish Springs Town Square starting at 8 p.m. As Gerry “Rocky” Seader might say, “youse guys are going to have some fun on New Year’s Eve.” Tony D will be on stage from 5 to 7 p.m. at Katie Belle’s.

Dances will be at the following regional recreation centers, from 8 p.m. until 12:30 a.m. Residents can bring their own drinks and snacks. Mulberry Grove features Lydia the DJ and line dancing. The Sixties band will offer music from that wild and hairy decade at Eisenhower. Over at Lake Miona, the Keichers will be playing music for dancing throughout the evening. The duo known as Marty and Liz will be on stage on Sea Breeze.

Local clubs will also have plenty of entertainment throughout The Villages. Cody’s Original Roadhouse in Paddock Square has Joe Allen on stage. Also in Paddock: City Fire features Three for the Road; the Fickle Souls perform at World of Beer while a DJ will on hand to spin music at Gator’s Dockside.

Lake Sumter Landing clubs: Jersey Frank is at Cody’s; Robert and Mandy France offer folk, traditional and pop sounds at City Fire. Pat Atkinson DJs in Amelia’s at the Waterfront Inn.

Spanish Springs: Danny B sings a variety of songs at Athens NY Restaurant; Margarita Republic will have a DJ and dancing while McCall’s Tavern will also have a DJ and party music.

Brian Goodpaster
Brian Goodpaster

Villages Country Clubs will also have entertainment. The Music Mix, a six-piece band, will be on stage at Hacienda Hills. Joe Carter is singing at the Havana Country Club. Bill Doherty and his singing waiters will be serving and singing at Tierra Del Sol. Joint Venture is at Evans Prairie and Patrick Hagerman is at Palmer.

The Guy Lombardo Orchestra which practically originated New Year’s Eve party music back in the old days, performs at 7:30 p.m. in The Orange Blossom Opry, at Highway 25 and County Road 42 in Weirsdale. The Orange Blossom Opry Band, featuring Suzanne Morgan, her husband Darell and fiddler Brian Goodpaster will offer a tribute to Dick Clark’s American Bandstand. For information call 352-821-1201.

Guy Lombardo Orchestra
Guy Lombardo Orchestra

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