Happy (Chinese) New Year!

This Sunday, February 10, is the official start of the Chinese New Year. And in the animal cycle associated with the Chinese New Year, Sunday starts the year of the snake. And for another year, Aldo’s is marking the holiday with their annual Chinese New Year’s Party this Saturday night - technically, another New Year's Eve. The party begins at 9 p.m., with area modern country favorites Pistol Peg & the Beer Kegs taking the stage starting at 10:30. A Chinese food buffet will be served starting at 10 p.m., and Chinese and Asian beer sampling will be offered. Coolie hats and Chinese noisemakers will also be available.

Aldo’s Chinese New Year’s Party is one of several noteworthy events happening in area live music venues this weekend. Among other events to consider: Moonshine Love, a new side project formed by members of Mysterytrain, will take the stage at Pellegrine’s this Friday night. Moonshine Love features Mysterytrain singer, guitarist and mastermind Dan Klock, bassist Scott Myers playing upright bass and drummer Chuck Bailey; along with singer Dave Snitkin. They perform a variety of traditional acoustic folk, bluegrass and country.

The 4D’s Lounge will be a likely hot spot this weekend as two heavily popular bands take the stage. Local party rock juggernaut Flight 19 taxis onto the stage Friday night to deliver their high-energy mixture of classic and current rock hits, R&B, disco and ‘80s-themed dance-friendly medleys, plus much more. And Saturday night marks the return of Nevermoure/Vs. the Earth alumni Mike Ritchey and Shawn Hocherl, and their Baltimore-based party force All Natural. This group also brings the total party of current and classic rock favorites and hits, top-notch musicianship and concert-caliber production.

If you enjoy hand-drumming, Heartspace Wellness Center, located on Union Avenue, presents their monthly drum circle event this Sunday afternoon starting at 2 p.m. Participants may bring their own drums, or drums and other percussion will be provided. Admission is free, although donations will be accepted to support Heartspace and its wellness programs. And as part of its Black History Month celebration, Penn State Altoona will feature Pittsburgh-based West African drum troupe the Ibeji Drum Ensemble this Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. in the Slep Student Center. Anchored by the husband-wife duo of Dr. Anthony and Beatrice Mitchell, the Ibeji Drum Ensemble celebrates drum-based music from such nations as Senegal, Ghana, Liberia and others. They will perform drum music on a variety of traditional percussion instruments, and welcome audience members to perform and dance along. Admission to this hour-long presentation is free.

Support live music this weekend! And if you plan to celebrate heavily while doing so, please designate a driver or call a cab!

Here is a full listing for live music on area stages this weekend and the coming week:

FRIDAY NIGHT:

Stephen Johnopolos at Raphael’s Steakhouse, Altoona (starts 6:30 p.m.)

Flight 19 at 4D’s Lounge, Altoona

The Cheaters at Aldo’s, Altoona

Moonshine Love at Pellegrine’s, Altoona

Conner Gilbert at Zach’s, Altoona (starts 9 p.m.)

Ben Dumm at the Ramada Cosmopolitan Lounge, Altoona (starts 9 p.m.)

One Brick Shy at Blue Knob Clubhouse, Blue Knob Ski Resort (starts 8:30 p.m.)

Hot Wax at Cresson American Legion, Cresson (starts 9 p.m.)

Locked and Loaded at Magoo’s, Cresson

The Alley Cats at Yesterday’s Party, Ebensburg

SATURDAY AFTERNOON:

The Backyard Rockers at Van Zandt VA Medical Center, Altoona (starts 3 p.m., free admission)

SATURDAY NIGHT:

Randy Jackson and Stephen Johnopolos at Raphael’s Steakhouse, Altoona (starts 6:30 p.m.)

The House Band at Family Pizza, Altoona

7th Gear at Belmar Hotel, Altoona

All Natural at 4D’s Lounge, Altoona

Pistol Peg & the Beer Kegs at Aldo’s, Altoona (Chinese New Year Party)

Born & the Beanstalk at Shaw’s, Altoona

The Boomers at the Heidelberg Club, Altoona (starts 8 p.m., members and guests)

White Shadow at Bavarian Hall, Altoona

Emberstitch at Glenn’s Place, Claysburg

Fueled By Ignorance (F.B.I.) at Judy’s Place, Schellsburg

Full Throttle at Schellsburg VFW, Schellsburg

Backlash at Huntingdon Moose, Huntingdon

The Lucky 13s at VFW Post 3450, Philipsburg (starts 9 p.m.)

Giants Of Science at Yesterday’s Party, Ebensburg

Grip at Castle Pub, Ebensburg

Bodacious B at Mad Hatters, St. Boniface

Twelve at City Hotel, Northern Cambria

SUNDAY AFTERNOON:

Drum Circle Gathering at Heartspace Wellness, Altoona (starts 2 p.m., free admission)

John & Joan at Mad Hatters, St. Boniface

SUNDAY NIGHT:

Felix & the Hurricanes at Shaw’s Bar, Altoona

Ty & Pletcher at 4D’s Lounge, Altoona (upstairs)

MONDAY NIGHT:

AnEmergencyScene presents: Honour Crest, We the Gathered, On The Run, A Faster Ride and Dream Pilot at the Archway Center, Altoona (starts 5 p.m., all ages)

TUESDAY NIGHT:

Ibeji Drum Ensemble at Slep Center, Penn State Altoona (starts 6 p.m., free admission)

Open Mic Night at the Ramada Cosmopolitan Lounge, Altoona (starts 8 p.m.)

Ty Ayers (acoustic) at 4D’s Lounge, Altoona

WEDNESDAY NIGHT:

The Country Gentlemen at Clair’s Ashville Inn, Ashville (starts 6 p.m.)

Wertz & Pletcher at 4D’s Lounge (upstairs), Altoona

Open Mic/Jam Night at Pellegrine’s, Altoona (starts 9 p.m.)

Open Mic/Jam Night at Mug Shots, Gallitzin (starts 8 p.m.)

THURSDAY NIGHT:

Steve Summerhill at Jethro’s, Altoona (starts 7 p.m.)

Felix & the Hurricanes at Joe & Mary’s, Altoona

Craig Fitzpatrick at Thirsty Dawg Taverne, Patton

(More shows may be added to this list as information becomes available. Feel free to check back.)

To report additional shows or corrections to this listing, email information to jptheprofessor@gmail.com.