Grey DeLisle Instagram – An evening that was everything, the right people, place at the right time _ The Smokin’ Rock & Rollin’ New Year’s Eve in Long Beach.
(Excerpted and edited from a FB review by Sharyl Holtzman)
For many years now, NYE has become a year in review, a time of reflection, a fresh start – things we embrace all year round.
But in 2025…we were united by a year that has tested us in ways we never thought we’d live to see as we watch the destruction of our country.
For us here in California, the monumental devastation of the Eaton and Pallisades fires, countless friends who lost everything.
So when we saw the bill for this NYE show, thanks to promoter Christopher Burkhardt and his Stellar Shows and Concerts that had icons Dave Alvin and the Guilty Ones (who did triple duty) Rosie Flores, Deke Dickerson and many others, I literally caught my breath.
Classic, channeling the Palomino – I knew it’s where I wanted to be. Made even more so by the stressful last minute change – the hotel Golden Sails closed its doors with short notice.
The new venue was the Scottish Rite Cathedral, a perfect fantastic old building with a big ballroom that felt like being at a family party.
The lineup for the night was filled out with Grey DeLisle, hostess, comedian; the voice of hundreds of comic animation characters; and C&W songwriter Edward Clendening & the Blue Ribbon Boys, and Lil Mo & the Dynaflos with Miss Mac.
We danced the night away with friends, met and laughed with other goers.
Exene Cervenka was in the house, and Dave took the opportunity to pull out his beloved Fourth of July, evoking a little Knitters love.
What caught me by surprise as I sang along with hundreds of happy souls, were the tears that sprung to my eyes. It was one of those moments that captured it all.
I double down on the gratitude for the promoter pulling this off, these musicians who once again, brought us the gift of themselves in their music. It was like Dorothy clicking her heels!
“Hopeful New Year, everybody!” CB | Posted on 03/Jan/2026 05:00:45
