Get ready to celebrate the New Year at these upcoming events in Grand Forks

GRAND FORKS — The Empire Arts Center and Evolve Grand Forks will ring in 2023 with a New Year’s Day concert at noon, featuring the Empire Community Orchestra.

The classical orchestral concert, directed by Tamara Bertram, is a fundraising event for the Empire Arts Center. Admission is a suggested $10 donation.

The event is intended to lay the groundwork for new traditions in the Greater Grand Forks area, bringing the community closer together, Bertram said in a news release.

“We are an orchestra for the Grand Forks community, made up of local musicians young and old, of varying abilities who all share a common love of music.”

Kaelan Reedy, executive director of Evolve Grand Forks, said Evolve "is excited to support the Empire Community Orchestra’s New Year’s concert … We are thrilled to be a part of this special event and look forward to ringing in the new year with the Grand Forks community.”

Debra Pflughoeft-Hassett, executive director of the Empire Arts Center, said, “The Empire is excited to ring in 2023 with this unique concert experience. We look forward to many collaborative events and activities with this amazing community orchestra.”

For more information on this event, visit www.empireartscenter.com or call (701) 746-5500.

Anyone who plays a stringed instrument and is interested in joining the Empire Community Orchestra, is asked to call Bertram at (701) 620-9043.

Cloud 9 Events will host a New Year’s Eve party, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 31.

It will feature a live performance by the Downtown Horns from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

Tickets are $30 for general admission and $60 for a VIP ticket. General admission permits access to the Downtown Horn performance, the midnight balloon drop, champagne tower, and a full cash bar.

The VIP ticket includes all of the above, plus an exclusive dinner catered by Sky’s at 7 p.m.

Tickets must be purchased through Eventbrite. This is a 21-and-older event.

Cloud 9 Events is located on the top floor of the Edgewood Corporate Plaza, 322 DeMers Ave.

For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/cloud9eventsgf/ ; email info@cloud9eventsgrandforks.com or call (701) 317-3255.

The Playmakers All-American Lounge at the Canada Inn is planning to host a New Year’s Eve party. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. No cover charge.

The event, which will feature live music by Allore, runs through 2 a.m., and admission is limited to those who are 21 and older. Guests will receive free champagne at midnight.

The Canad Inn is located at 1000 S. 42nd St.

For more information, call (218) 721-6833.

B.J. Armani’s Cabaret will present the Drag Show on New Year’s Eve at the East Grand Forks American Legion Club, 1009 Central Ave. N.W.

Doors open at 7 p.m. The show, which begins at 9 p.m., is limited to those who are 18 and older.

Admission is $10.