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Party away the Christmas blues in downtown Penticton

Cure your hangover of Christmas and prep for New Year's Eve with a live concert at The Elite or party at The Mule in Penticton.

Don your most nightmarish holiday dress and be ready to party at A Nightmare After Xmas.

After the hangover of Christmas and preparing people for New Year’s Eve celebrations, The Elite is hosting a holiday party  featuring live music, costume contest and a hamper set up for the SPCA accepting donations of unopened pet toys and money.

“The Halloween event called A Nightmare at The Elite went so well that it sold out so I thought I would do another one for Christmas,” said Stacy Franck, event promoter. “I hope people dress up in the evil mashed with Christmas theme — so evil sugar plum fairies or maybe your ugly Christmas sweater and be a zombie, just anything nightmarish after Christmas. I thought it would be fun to do.”

A full lineup of bands on the bill for the evening. The Poles are comprised of former Penticton musicians  and Vancouver Cameron Bandy. Kelowna musician Mike Szalay is reintroducing himself as a solo artist under the name Great White North after splitting from his old band Tusk Mountain. Szalay will be performing songs off his forthcoming debut album with familiar sounds stemming from hard-hitting past projects and a new softer side which has grown from the experience as a solo singer-songwriter.

Along with Szalay will be a rotating cast of backup musicians including Elite After 6 favourite, Jack Rabbit. Also performing at Nightmare After Xmas is Kelowna band Cinged, Headcase from Penticton and Kabongé who are a collective of musicians that keep it simple and fun with a mix of pop-punk, ska, emo and metal.

“Kabongé was going to do a show, they do a Festivus show every year, but we started talking and decided to do one big show instead of a few small ones,” said Franck. “That is why there is five bands on the bill. I told them they should each play a rendition of their favourite Christmas song so it should be quite entertaining.”

Doors to the event open at 7 p.m. and there is a $7 cover charge. Prizes will be handed out for best Nightmare After Xmas costumes and music will start at 7:30 p.m.

“People always come really late to shows, but this is going to be an early start because there are so many bands. So if you want to see all the bands then you have to come early,” said Franck.

Boxing Day Bash

If you can’t wait until A Nightmare After Xmas at The Elite, the The Mule can cure the Christmas blues with their 13th annual Boxing Day Bash.

“It is going to be crazy with drink specials and we will be open late,” said Steve Parker, manager at The Mule.

Expect Santa Claus to be in the house like you have never seen him before, promised Parker. Doors open at 10 p.m. Tickets are $5 and available at The Mule or at Green Beanz.