If We Were You

evolvingtimes.com

WEDNESDAY 12.26

The 217th Annual Parade of Horribles
If you've never attended the Parade of Horribles, you are missing out on one of Erie's oldest, most depraved traditions! The Parade starts at second  and Parade and heads south, ending at Mighty Fine Donuts. Expect to see stilt walkers, Vikings, and plenty of drinky-drinks. See Alex Bieler's article on page 9 for more information.   
When: 6 a.m.
Where: Parade Street
Contact: @catch20q

THURSDAY 12.27

Lake Erie Wine Country presents "Holiday Week at the Wineries"
Visit the wineries over the holiday break! Got cabin fever? A wine tour provides a perfect outing for guests and relatives. No tickets or reservations necessary.
When: December 26 - 28
Where: Wineries along the Lake Erie Wine Trail
Contact: 877.326.6561

FRIDAY 12.28

Whiplash
Not only is it the beginning of the weekend, but it's the beginning of a long weekend before New Year's Eve, which means that tonight is the start of some celebrating. Get the rocking started with Whiplash, the area's premier Metallica tribute band, when they get the party started at Sherlock's.
When: 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Where: Sherlock's, 508 State St.
Contact: 453.7760

SATURDAY 12.29

Last Yoga Class of 2012 at YogaErie
Hot yoga in the morning is a great way to reflect on the year that was and the year to come. It's also a great way to work off some of the Christmas cookies and eggnog that you indulged in over the holidays. This is a donation-only class, with proceeds benefitting the City Mission of Erie. If you have any particular tunes you would like to hear, be sure to post your request to the YogaErie Facebook wall. If you're lucky, you just might hear your song. Space is limited, so get to the studio early to reserve your spot.
When: 9 to 10:30 a.m.
Where: YogaErie, 2560 W. Eighth St. (Colony Plaza)
Contact: yogaerie.com

Aqueous
With only a few days left in 2012, Aqueous made sure to stop in Erie before the new year. The Buffalo-based jam band just recently released a new album, which Ryan Bartosek called "proclamation that this band has matured into a musical force to be reckoned with" in a recent Erie Reader review, so check out the band's new material in a favorite setting.
When: 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Where: the crooked i, 1013 State St.
Contact: facebook.com/thecrookedierie

Holiday Movies at TREC - "Gremlins"
Tired of watching movies about Santa Claus? If you are, then you need to check out the holiday movie at TREC. "Gremlins" features a cast of mischievous monsters wreaking a little havoc on a small town.
When: 6:30 p.m.
Where: Tom Ridge Environmental Center
Contact: 838.4123

SUNDAY 12.30

Winter Wonderland at Asbury Woods
Enjoy songs of the season, s'mores, a model train display, and children's activities in the Nature Center before you stroll along over 1,700 feet of Asbury Woods' boardwalk trail, awash in Christmas lights! Proceeds benefit Asbury Woods.
When: 6 to 9 p.m.
Where: 4105 Asbury Rd.
Contact: 835.5356 or www.AsburyWoods.org

MONDAY 12.31

Happy New Year!
So... whatcha doin tonight? That's right, we're plugging our concert extravaganza at the Erie Art Museum one more time, just in case you've managed to avoid this publication, television, and social media for the past month. For all of you out there, let us just say this one last thing: NYE at EAM is going to be the single greatest event in the history of Erie, Pennsylvania. Ok, that might be a bit of an exaggeration, but if you do come we can guarantee that you'll hear great music and party with great people in a great venue at a great price. How great is that? Check out the To Do List in this issue for more info.
When: 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Where: Erie Art Museum
Contact: NewYearsErie.com

Neon New Year's Eve Party
Can't find a sitter for NYE at EAM? Bring the whole family to the biggest all-ages New Year's Eve Party in Erie at Presque Isle Skating and Events Center. Skate your butt off while DJ Decode rocks your face off with all your favorite music videos projected onto a huge 106-inch screen until 1 a.m. The first person in line gets in free; the first 50 people in the door get a free glowstick, and the person wearing the most neon wins a free month of skating! Prizes will be given away all night at this safe, family-friendly venue.
When: 7 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Where: Presque Isle Skating and Events Center (formerly Evan's)
Contact: 833.0740

A Whole Lotta Love at crooked i
If the Art Museum isn't your scene tonight, move on up State to the crooked i for a celebration full of music and love. The night starts off with Alex Kates, then Erie favs Big Leg Emma hit the stage with special guest Amanda Barton. How can you top that? How about BLE coming back out in the form of a Led Zeppelin tribute band. That's one way to start spreading the love in 2013.
When: 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Where: crooked i, 1013 State
Contact: facebook.com/thecrookedierie

TUESDAY 1.01

New Year's Day Five Miler
Because more than a fair share of us make a New Year's resolution to a.) lose weight; b.) get in shape; or c.) get better at outrunning hoards of zombies, let's start 2013 off on the right foot -- literally. Head down to Presque Isle to join the Erie Runners Club and put in five miles along Erie's shoreline. You'll be thankful you did because a.) you'll burn calories; b.) you'll get a bit toner; and c.) be more adept at surviving the undead.
When: 10 a.m. to noon
Where: Presque Isle State Park
Contact: erie-runnersclub.org

WEDNESDAY 1.02

Greg Garing's Gem City Circus
Wednesday nights at the Crooked i are now hosted by Greg Garing, who brings his  Nashville-influenced style of folk, country, and rock 'n' roll back to Erie. With great music and great drink specials, you're not probably not going to find a better option this evening.   
When: 10 p.m.
Where: the crooked i, 1013 State St.
Contact: facebook.com/thecrookedierie

THURSDAY 1.03

Presque Isle's New Year's Resolution Walk Series
If you are looking for some motivation to help you with your new year's resolution, come to Presque Isle! Presque Isle will help jump-start your resolution by offering guided walks approximately 3 miles long. Each week there will be a different location, and you will learn some history also.
When: 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Where: Presque Isle State Park, Ranger Station
Contact: 833.7424

Open Mic Night
Alright, it's time to finally go out and perform at Open Mic Night. With your New Year's resolution to finally strut your stuff in front of a live audience, this is the perfect chance. For those that didn't make that your resolution, well, you can see the new performers while downing $2 burgers and logo pint drafts. It's a win-win!
When: 7 p.m.
Where: The Brewerie, 123 W. 14 Street
Contact: 454.2200

FRIDAY 1.04

Game. Set. Cure.
If you are a pro at tennis, or just want to support a good cause, sign up for the tennis tournament fundraiser to support the Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation. Applications can be picked up at Pennbriar Athletic Club or Westwood Racquet Club
When: January 4 - 6
Where: Westwood Racquet Club, 2660 Zuck Road
Contact: 746.0440

Erie Otters Host Barrie Colts
Heard of hockey player Connor McDavid? The 15 year-old Otters phenom just became the youngest athlete ever signed to an endorsement deal by Reebok, and he can't even drive yet. He can, however, slash, rip, cut, and shoot; he's not long for Erie, so you better go see him at the Erie Insurance Arena while you still can.
When: 7 p.m.
Where: 809 French St.
Contact: 452.4857 or OttersHockey.com

Matt Texter
Every so often, you need some good ol' down to earth soulful singing to soothe what ails you. Even if you have no ails to be soothed, head down to the crooked i to see Matt Texter, local blue-collar folk singer/songwriter extraordinaire. With a deep catalog of tunes to share, Texter will warm your heart and soul with just his voice and guitar.
When: 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Where: the crooked i, 1013 State St.
Contact: facebook.com/thecrookedierie

SATURDAY 1.05

Chasing Moira CD Release Party w/ Sirsy
With 2013 still just five days old, Chasing Moira figured that the best way to kick of the new year was with a new CD. The band, coming off of its win for Rock Erie Music Award for Best Alternative Band, will be strutting out their new stuff while special guest Sirsy will be in town for this exciting occasion.
When: 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Where: the crooked i, 1013 State St.
Contact: facebook.com/thecrookedierie

SUNDAY 1.06

Blue Pike Independent Music Awards
Over 80 artists were nominated for the first Blue Pike Independent Music Awards and you can see which lucky groups come away with the to prizes. With performances by bands like the Jargonauts and Is What It Is, not only is this a chance to check out some live music, but also to become more attuned to the local music scene.
When: 4 p.m.
Where: Performing Artist's Collective Alliance Performing Arts Center and Theater, 1505 State St.
Contact: 434.0687

MONDAY 1.07

Go big this Monday
Mondays aren't exactly hot-beds of events around these parts. Especially the first Monday after the holidays when the previous two happen to have been Christmas Eve and New Years Eve. Today you're probably not looking to do much, but that doesn't mean do nothing. In fact, you should do something big. Our suggestion is to head down to the Tom Ridge Environmental Center and check out the films on the Big Green Screen. Whether you want to journey with Lewis and Clark, explore the mysteries of the Great Lakes, or just play with some Meerkats, they've got you covered. And with a four story high, 45 foot wide screen, you'll feel like you're right there.
When: Show times vary
Where: Tom Ridge Environmental Center
Contact: trecpi.orgww

TUESDAY 1.08

'The Christmas Show' Art Exhibit
Needles falling from the Christmas tree? Eggnog gone bad? Family and friends begging/demanding that you to take off the reindeer antlers that have rested atop your head for nearly a month? We know. Christmas withdrawal ain't easy -- especially with e'eryone else telling you you're crazy. Well, you're not. At least we don't think so. We're here to support you refusal to let the holiday spirit go. And so is the Schuster Gallery at Gannon University, so sneak away to the gallery to check out "The Christmas Show," featuring images from member of the Erie Photo Club that'll help you keep that holiday cheer a-churning. But maybe leave the reindeer antlers at home.  
When: All day (call for holiday-break hours)
Where: Schuster Gallery, Gannon University, 620 Sassafras St.
Contact: 871.5467