We are giving away a pair of tickets to New Year’s Eve w/ Fruition & The Lil’ Smokies @ Crystal Ballroomon December 31. To win, comment on this post why you’d like to attend. Winner will be drawn and emailed Friday, December 29.
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From our sponsors:
New Year’s Eve w/ Fruition & The Lil’ Smokies
December 31, 2017
8 p.m. doors, 9 p.m. show | $30 ADV, $35 Doors | 21+
Tickets: crystalballroompdx.com
Crystal Ballroom
1332 W Burnside St, Portland, OR 97209
The first time they ever made music together, Fruition’s three lead singer-songwriters discovered that their voices naturally blended into beautiful three-part harmonies. In the eight years since that impromptu busking session, the Portland, Oregon-based quintet has grown from a rootsy, string-centric outfit to a full-fledged rock band with an easy but powerful grasp of soul, blues, and British Invasion era pop.
On their new album Labor of Love, Fruition shows the complete force of their newly expanded sound, matching their more daring musicality with sophisticated, melody-minded song craft. The album subtly imparts the sense of being swept along on a journey, one reflecting an open-hearted spirit that sets in from the first notes of the dobro, mandolin and electric guitar driven title track, carries on to the sleepy soul of “Santa Fe,” and unfolds into the epic balladry of “The Meaning.”
“A common theme for all three songwriters is trying to embrace being out on the road all the time, but also feeling like you’re missing out on the everyday lifestyle that most people get to have,” says Leonard. Embedded within that tension is a wistful romanticism that imbues many of the album’s songs. “Most of the love songs are very much about those rare moments of getting to be with the people you love,” says Anderson. “And then other songs are about coming back to the people you love, and trying to deal with the strange ways things change because of being apart.”
After releasing their debut EP Hawthorne Hoedown in 2008, Fruition moved from busking on the street, to scraping their way onto the lower levels of festival lineups, to opening tours for bands like ALO and Greensky Bluegrass and onward, to being invited to play bigger festivals with ever bigger billing on those lineups.
Last year saw them appear at Bonnaroo, Northwest String Summit and Telluride Bluegrass where Rolling Stone cited their artful choice of covers and “raucous originals filled with heartfelt lyrics and stadium-worthy energy.” This year will see them share a Red Rocks bill with JJ Grey and Mofro and The Infamous Stringdusters, along with a full headline tour of the United States.
That breadth of touring experience has steadily reshaped the band and ultimately allowed them to achieve a sound they’ve long aspired toward. “We all tend to write on acoustic guitar and let things start in the same stripped-down, folky sort of way that we always did,” says Naja. “So where the songs come from hasn’t really changed much at all. What’s different is where we let them go from there.”
The Little Smokies
Hailing from Missoula, MT, The Lil’ Smokies exploded into the bluegrass/stringband scene back in the winter of 2009 and haven’t shown any signs of fatigue since. The Lil’ Smokies have shared the stage with heavyweights like, Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Keller Williams, Greensky Bluegrass, The Emmit-Nershi Band and dozens of others. Winning the 2013 Northwest String Summit Band Competition has proven that The Lil’ Smokies have no problem captivating large audiences. With a unique blend of traditional bluegrass, newgrass, unique original compositions, and sheer raw energy, The Lil’ Smokies weave seamlessly through genres, leaving something for everyone. Their latest release, “The Lil’ Smokies – Live New Year’s Eve 2013”, captures the raw energy of their legendary Top Hat (Missoula, MT) shows while showcasing new, original tunes, a few from the first album, and a couple boisterous covers. This six-piece ensemble features, Pete Barrett (guitar), Andy Dunnigan (dobro), Scott Parker (upright bass), Matt Cornette (banjo), Cameron Wilson (mandolin), and Jesse Brown (fiddle).
I would love to win these because I otherwise will likely be staying in for NYE this year
Ooo yes please!!
My bangs picking brother and his fiddle playing wife are visiting over new tear’s and this sounds like the ticket for us on NY’s.
I love the Crystal Ball Room! love blue grass music! What a great way to ring in the new year!!
i love both of these bands! The show will be a great way to bring in the new year and finally get some dancing in with my 2 best girls after a few month hiatus from dancing due to knee surgery!
Every NYE the Crystal has the best show and party in Portland. I need to be there!
As a Portland native, I go to the Crystal Ballroom almost every year for NYE!! (Because I know it is one of the best places to go) If I won tickets to see Fruition there it would literally make my life!!
I would love to win these tickets for my boyfriend and I! We have been together for three years, but this is the first NYE we get to spend together, and winning these tickets would make it so special. We live in Charleston, SC and it will be his first time in Portland, one of my favorite cities.
My friend just moved to Portland so I’m visiting her for NYE because she doesn’t know anyone. Music is what really bonds us so this would be a great way for us to spend our time there!
This looks so charming
What a great combination of bands!!!! Among the choices in Portland for NYE, this one looks the best. Fingers crossed!
sounds like a swell time!
Cool way to spend NYE!
I went to high school with Fruition’s drummer and still haven’t gotten to see them perform. This would be a blast.
Hell of a way to end 2017! thanks for the chance!!!
Smoked Fruits for New Years? Sounds like a magical way to ring in 2018! Love everything about this but unfortunately low on funds…pick me!!!! Pick me!!!
Portland Bound Baby!!
I love live music, especially rock and bluegrass. I’ve never been to the Crystal Ballroom, but would love to go! Sounds like a blast. :)
Oh!! I would love to see these bands, they are my favorites! Thank you!
Not my first or Last New Years at Crystal Ballroom
I would like to win this.I would record it like I have before.
Would be a wonderful way to spend NYE. I missed NYE in Portland last year and am so excited to be in Portland this year! Love the bands playing, too!
I need a good excuse to skip out of a party so plz pick me.
After 17 years, newly divorced and have no where to go so far… would be way fun to go dance my tears away that will likely be there. Screw him! I’ll find some new cuties to spin me around the floor! Plus now I’m living in Pearl so awesome it’s a short walk home from the CrystalB. I’m ready to live this new life!
Sounds like they’ll play a little bit of everything … And I like that.
This would be really fun for my best friend and I who are newly single!
Love me some Lil Smokies! Would love for them to be a part of my NY.
Just started a new job and this will be my last hurrah for a while. I’d live to ring in the new year with great bands in an awesome venue!
NYE crowds aren’t usually my thing, but this band sounds like they will make it a great night.
This sounds like an amazing show and I haven’t had the privelege of attending an event at the Crystal Ballroom yet. This would be a perfect way to ring in the new year :-)
Fruition played my wedding! I would LOVE to see them for new years.
First NYE in Portland…can’t think of a better way to celebrate!!
Have never experienced a NYE at the Crystal, sounds ideal!
i’ve come to fruition.. that i need to come to FRUITION
Would love to bring in the New Year with both of these fabulous band’s!
NYE!?!
British Invasion and Bluegrass?!! My kind of band!!
Please please please please! Lil’ Smokies and Fruition, a match made in heaven!
This would be so much fun!
We would love to spend NYE dancing the night away.
The best way to ring in the New Year is to boogie down with crazy Fruity Freaks and the most awesome band in Portland ♡
Need something new to do in Portland. Looks lot a fun
This would be the most amazing way to bring in the new year! I would love to win these tickets! I love FRUiTiON!!! Got my fingers crossed and hoping for a miracle!!!!
What better way to celebrate the New Year followed by my Birthday!
sounds like a great time to shake off the B.S. of 2017 and bring in the boogie of 2018!
i dont have new years plans yet and all my friends are himming and hawing of what to do. ill be the deciding factor if i win these tickets.
thanks!
Sounds fun!
This would be so awesome, I went to college in Missoula and they have a nice indie scene for a smallish town. Pick me!
Lived in pdx for a year and haven’t been to the crystal ballroom yet. Make it happen!
Having back surgery 28th – nice, mellowish way to enter the new year with a dear friend!
They Crystal is the absolute best!
I love the Crystal Ball Room! I love blue grass music! What a awesome way to ring in the new year!!
Heck yes this would be incredible!
Sounds fun!
Gotta get my boogie on!!!
I would love to win tickets to a NYE event. Bluegrass String! Heck yeah, pick me!
Got no plans, got no money
I’m gonna win,i’m gonna win,i’m gonna win,please.
I luv the crystal ball,i use to go to it the old days,i have not yet see the remodel after all this years,it would be a wish come true.
I’ve been feeling a little blue, not knowing what to do to celebrate on NYE. This sounds like the best option yet!
Yes please!!
I’d love to win because I’ve never been out on NYE in Portland!
I’d like to win tickets because I never do anything for NYC. I’m never interested in the events, but this one sounds great and I love the variety of music!
This would be the best way to spend my NYE!!
I’d love to win these tickets!! I haven’t been out on New Years in so long, and I finally have the night off in 6 years! This would be amazing!!!
We are celebrating our 7th anniversary on New Years Eve at the Crystal Hotel and this concert would be an awesome, exhilarating top event to ring in the New Year with my honey, Love Monkey instead of his idea of staying in our hotel room for the night. I want to go dancing and toast to the New Year and I’d love you guys forever if we won these tickets! Pretty please?!
New parents who need a break and an awesome date night, hoping to win free tix to this NYE party!
I would love to win so i can spend my first pregnancy on this holiday having fun & listening to some good music!
Need a way to start next year with a smile! I am hoping to win free tix to this NYE party!
Would love to go to this for NYE!
I have never been to the Crystal Ballroom before. This sounds like a fun time with great music. I would love a ticket to attend.
This would be a perfect way to end 2017! I’d love to go
Sounds fun, thanks!
Wow; I haven’t gone out on New Years Eve for so long I may have forgotten how (not). I would love to win tickets to this fun night out!
who doesn’t love little smokies?!
Love Fruition!- haven’t seen em since Mountain Stomp NW!
Hot date with a new boyfriend! I would love to win these tickets to share and start 2018 in a spectacular manner!
Love me some Fruition!
Been thinking about seeing these guys a while but haven’t pulled the trigger.
Make it easy for me!
I would attend only because The Crystal ballroom is one of the best venues in portland!! Fruition plays amazing music, and Lil Smokies sounds amazing as well!
Would love to come, Thanks
This is going to be the best night ever I would like to ask my fiancee to marry me please let us enjoy this happy moment together at this event thanks!
i love social events
would love to ring in the New Year with my partner (who has never been to the Crystal) listening to some great music!
I want to chase my 2017 blues away with blues music. Here’s to 2018!!
What a great way to ring in the new year. Please pick me!
I haven’t been out in years on New Year’s Eve and this music woudl fill my soul!
Please, I haven’t been out in years, because of boyfriend issues, because he won’t spend the money to take me out on New Years. So please pick my name, so I can celebrate the New Year!
Wow, this would start 2018 off so right. WOOT!
Love Fruition and the lil smokies, haven’t been able to see them in years!
Ohhhhhhhh never been, would love to attend this!!!! HNY!
Oh snap. I would love to attend
Life’s for the living!
This is the first New Years even my best friend and I will be together in 3 years! It would be a treat to attend this event together :)
I love the blues and nye!
I have seen and loved the band Fruition since my very first show! I am a die hard fan. I love Mimi’s rockin mando playing and she has inspired me to start playing as well! Fruition is truly a special band with incredible talent and I have followed their music since the beginning (close to)! Crystal ballroom is one of my fave Venus and I would love to go because I’m pretty broke since Christmas! Thank you!!!❤️
And I might add if I may, my bf broke up with me Christmas Eve and I need to see Jay to help make me feel better
I’ve never even out for NYE and this sounds really fun!
Please and Thank You!
Sounds fun!
I wanna “BOUNCE” into the New Year on the Crystal Ballroom’s Bouncy Floor. Pick me please!
This would be such a fun way for my partner and I to ring in the New year!
If I win I’ll be as bubbly as the champaign
My friend used “fruition” in a post, so. Tara Baldwin, hit me up on facebook.
Fruition and lil smokies will be one of the best new years parties in town!!!!
Yes please and thanks
OMG, now THIS I would leave the house for on NYE! Great music, and fabulous way to ring in new year!
YES! Yes, yes, YESSSSS! I would be sooooo so so so so excited if you picked me!
Great music — blue grass is my fav. I grew up back in Appalachia — so it feels like home.
God! This sounds so amazing. It would be wonderful to be there to celebrate new year.
I would love to dance in to new year on a floating dance floor. It would be a dream come true.
I love bluegrass music and new years is my favorite holiday. Here’s to ringing in the new year with good music and good friends