New Year’s Eve: Turn your ears toward 2017

New Year’s Eve falls on a Saturday this year, which is good news for anyone who doesn’t have to work on the weekend and wants to ring in 2017 with as much spirit as possible. We’ve already got a rundown of First Night festivities, but here are a handful of concerts and music-related events to help you say goodbye to the year that was.

Baby Bar, 827 W. First Ave., and the Observatory, 15 S. Howard St. – It’s probably not controversial to say 2016 was a rough year for myriad reasons. The folks at the Observatory and Baby Bar feel your pain. They’ve dubbed their joint New Year’s Eve party Twentysucksteen, which will fill your evening with live local music, DJs, bubbly and a balloon drop. Baby Bar will host performances by Deer and Peru Resh, while the Observatory features Wild Pacific and Fun Ladies. Music starts at 9 p.m.; 21 and older only.

The Bartlett, 228 W. Sprague Ave. – The Cave Singers, an alt-rock quartet based out of Seattle, have become a common presence in Spokane’s music scene. They last performed on the Bartlett stage in July, and they’re returning this weekend to headline the venue’s New Year’s Eve show. The band’s most recent LP, “Banshee,” was released in February. Local rockers the Smokes will open. Advance tickets are $20 and are available at www.thebartlettspokane.com.

Bing Crosby Theater, 901 W. Sprague Ave. – “Frozen” is the highest grossing animated feature of all time, and until we get a sequel, it’ll likely hang on to that position for a long while. If you’ve got little ones and can’t make it out to a bar in the evening, check out the “Frozen” singalong at the Bing, the only time you can belt out “Let It Go” in public without getting strange looks. Showtimes are 2 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Advance tickets are $15 for children 12 years and younger and $20 for adults, and they’re available at www.friendsofthebing.org.

The Davenport, 10 S. Post St. – If you’re feeling particularly fancy this New Year’s Eve, the Puttin’ on the Ritz gala might be right up your alley. The black tie event, a fundraiser for the Spokane Symphony, starts at 9 p.m. and will feature a performance by Master Class Jazz Orchestra and vocalist Madeline McNeil. Last year’s event sold out, so purchase advance tickets ($120 per person) through TicketsWest or through the Fox Theater’s box office – (509) 624-1200.

Knitting Factory, 919 W. Sprague Ave. – Local pop-punk band Small Town Nation hasn’t played a show in five years (some of the members are currently playing in Nixon Rodeo), but they’re getting back together for a one-night-only concert at the Knitting Factory. Other bands on the evening’s lineup include Punks in Drublic, Velafire, Good Kids Bad Ideas and Ragtag Romantics. Admission is free, and doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Northern Quest Resort & Casino, 100 N. Hayford Road, Airway Heights – You probably know the Spin Doctors from their ubiquity on rock radio in the early ’90s, but the New York City band has been mostly active (save for a brief hiatus) since forming in 1988. If you missed them when they performed at Pig Out in the Park in 2013, now’s your chance to put on your nicest plaid shirt and sing along to “Two Princes” (and we know that you know every word). Purchase tickets at www.northernquest.com. $25.

Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox, 1001 W. Sprague Ave. – It’s a New Year’s tradition for the Spokane Symphony and the chorale to tackle Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. The great composer’s final completed symphony (it’s the one that features “Ode to Joy”), it remains one of the most frequently performed works in the classical repertoire, and it hasn’t lost any of its power. Tickets run $28 to $45 and are available through TicketsWest, the Fox box office or www.spokanesymphony.org.

The Palomino, 6425 N. Lidgerwood St. – Several venues on Spokane’s North Side are hosting a New Year’s bash called Last Night Spokane, with blues, rock and acoustic singer-songwriter performances. The Palomino is serving as the main music hub, but other locations include the Venue, 25 E. Lincoln Road, and 1 Bridge North, 1817 N. Division St.

Ramada Inn, 8909 W. Airport Drive – Check out the blues tunes of the Bobby Patterson Band, fronted by the former lead guitarist of the Fat Tones. Cover charge at the door is $10; for hotel packages, contact the Ramada at (509) 838-5211.

Red Lion Inn at the Park, 303 W. North River Drive – Smash Hit Carnival is a local cover band that specializes in everything from classic rock to contemporary pop hits. They’ll be performing at the Red Lion to ring in the new year, and you’ll have access to a cash bar and a view of the downtown fireworks. Tickets are $25 through TicketsWest; 21 and older only.

The Roadhouse, 20 N. Raymond Road, Spokane Valley – If you’re in the Valley, consider checking out country-bluegrass band the Hankers at the Roadhouse. $6 cover; music starts at 8:30 p.m.

Zola, 22 W. Main Ave. – Kick on the new year with a concert courtesy of local band Uppercut, which plays popular cover tunes from the last 30 years. General entry runs $10; VIP tickets for large groups are also for sale. Advance tickets are available through www.eventbrite.com or (509) 624-2416.