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Ring in the laughter with the New Year’s Eve Comedy Show at the Spire on Tuesday, Dec. 31, at 8 p.m. Boston comics Mike Donovan, Laura Severse, Kathe Farris, and Logan O’Brien will perform.
Donovan has been in the business since the 1970s and got his start at stand-up at age 19. His first paid job netted him $48.50 in 1975. As a “torch bearer” for the Boston comedy scene, he notes that he is now a senior – “although not the oldest” – stand-up.
Donovan began as a disc jockey but says he always knew he wanted to be a comedian. He hitchhiked around the country performing sets, including open mike sessions in New York and elsewhere, “All that experience was really helpful in the long run,” he said. By 1978, he was headlining in Boston clubs.
Known for his interest in sports – mostly roasting sports show hosts, fans, players and others who seem to lack common sense – he promises to include some sports talk in his set at the Spire. Sports provide “so many reasons to get aggravated,” he said.
Donovan, who has written voluminous history books, as well as stories for the Boston Globe and Sports Illustrated, also authored “The Stand-Up Comedy Book: A Collection of Thoughts, Stories, Biographies, Jokes and Journals of Stand-up.”
When it comes to writing jokes Donovan said, “Make sure you think it’s funny first.” If it doesn’t make the comedian laugh, why would it make anyone else laugh?
He recently appeared on Bill Burr’s podcast and is a frequent studio guest at WBZ radio.
Laura Severse, a self-professed Gen-X Boston townie, is a comic, actor, and writer who brings her hard-working, heartfelt approach to stages across the country. Known as the “Dorchester Debutante,” with an addiction to gold hoop earrings, she pokes fun at everything from climbing the corporate ladder to the quirks of family life.
Kathe Farris is a stay-at-home mom – except when she’s performing stand-up. She began her comedy career later than most, but quickly became a comic in residence at the Comedy Studio in Boston and was a finalist in the Boston Comedy Festival. Farris has a weekly show at ImprovBoston called Farris and Friends Comedy Hour where she performs a full-length set along with guest comedians.
Logan O’Brien, who is from the South Shore, placed third out of 100 comedians in Laugh Boston’s Funniest Person in Massachusetts competition in 2019. He performs regularly at clubs such as the Comedy Connection, Laugh Boston, and Nick’s Comedy Stop. He also co-hosts a podcast, and writes, produces, and acts in online sketches with three other comedians under the moniker “South Shore Boyz.”
Tickets for the event are $27 and $30. You can get them here.
“The Polar Express,” creepy eyes and all, will be screened at the Spire on Dec. 23.
The Polar Express will be screened at the Spire at 2 p.m. Based on the children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg, the film tells of a doubting boy who takes a trip on a train to the North Pole. Tom Hanks narrates the story of the boy who not only experiences an amazing trip but also learns something about himself and gains an appreciation for the wonder of life. Tickets are $5 for adults, and you can get them here. Children can attend for free.
Enjoy a night out at Uva Wine Bar, 46 Main St., for a Holiday Floral Arranging event from 7 to 9 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. Floral designer Sheela Soares will help you create a holiday centerpiece Tickets are $70 and you can get them here.
Tuesday, December 24
Not a creature may be stirring, but Trivia Night is still happening at Tavern on the Wharf, 6 Town Wharf, from 7 to 10 p.m. Got everything wrapped? Test your trivia skills on Christmas Eve.
“A Complete Unknown” begins showing at Plimoth Cinema, 137 Warren Ave (Plimoth Patuxet Museums). The story of Bob Dylan’s early days and his rise to fame stars Timothy Chalamet. From his start as folk singer, the film follows Dylan’s journey leading to his controversial musical shift at the Newport Folk Festival. Also showing is “A Real Pain,” about the journey two cousins take to Poland to honor their grandmother. Show times for both films are 4:30 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $12.50, $11 with a club card, $10 for seniors or members, $8.50 for seniors with a club card.
Wednesday, December 25
New World Tavern, 56 Main St., is open again, and features Trivia Night every Wednesday, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. This Wednesday is no exception. Also, enjoy the music of Hitch and Jimmy C from 8 to 11 p.m.
Thursday, December 26
Paper crafts are happening at the Plymouth Public Library, from 1 to 4 p.m. It’s a time for free-wheeling creative crafting, as there will be materials set out for three crafting activities. You can pick one or do all three. It’s open to all ages. No registration is required, and you can drop in any time during the session.
Friday, December 27
Toronto-based band Enter the Haggis performs at the Spire at 8 p.m., with doors opening at 7 p.m. For more than 20 years the band combined bagpipes and fiddles with a rock rhythm section to create a distinctively eclectic sound. Their songs offer singalong melodies and meaningful lyrics that tell the stories of everyday hard-working people, often faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges. Signature songs like “One Last Drink,” “Gasoline,” “Down with the Ship,” and “Lancaster Gate” have been played extensively on streaming services and been featured in movies. Tickets are $35.10 and $39 and you can buy them here.
Saturday, December 28
New England-based cover band Another Tequila Sunrise will be at the Spire to perform Eagles music. The show starts at 8 p.m., with doors opening at 7 p.m. The band celebrates the Eagles’ full range, from So-Cal country-rock fusion to social commentary (“Hotel California,” etc.). Tickets are $34.20 and $38, and you can get them here.
Sunday, December 29
For those who missed it, Another Tequila Sunrise reprises its Eagles cover concert at 2 p.m. with doors opening at 1 p.m. at the Spire (see Saturday’s listing). Tickets are $34.20 and $38, and you can buy them here.
Monday, December 30
Are you struggling with your Woobles? Book Love, 7 Village Green in the Pinehills is hosting a Woobles Help Session with Veronica Colby, from 2 to 3 p.m. (Woobles, by the way, are little crocheted critters.) Tickets are $10 and you can get them here.
Tuesday, December 31
Ring in some laughter at the New Year’s Eve Comedy Show, with Mike Donovan, Laura Severse, Kathe Farris, and Logan O’Brien at the Spire starting at 8 p.m. See the lead item in this column for more information.
Early birds can join a family Noon Year’s Eve celebration at the Plymouth Public Library, 132 South St., from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Fehlow Meeting Room. Families with children ages 3 and older are invited to join for music, crafts, dancing, and fun, and to take part in the countdown to noon. No registration is required.
The whole family can celebrate New Year’s Eve at G Pub, 101A Carver Road. The night opens with a party with entertainment for kids (and their grownups) in the arcade from 7 to 9 p.m., where a “kids’ DJ” will play family-friendly music. Each child will a free arcade game card worth $5. There will also be giveaways and prizes. For adults, there’s a charity Casino Night in the Speakeasy, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Money raised from blackjack, roulette, and other betting games will go to support the Friends of the Plymouth Pound. Tickets for the casino night are $30 and allow access to the New Year’s Eve Ultimate Party in the Pub, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. The party will feature music by the band Wut it Iz, along with food, drink, party favors, and of course, the midnight countdown. Arrive after 9 p.m. and get a free raffle ticket that could win you lots of sports-related goodies and a swag bag from High Limb Cider. Entry after 9 p.m. comes with a $10 cover charge. Get tickets to the casino night and pub party – or make reservations – here.
Sharpen your trivia skills as you head into 2025 with Trivia night at Tavern on the Wharf, 6 Town Wharf, from 7 to 10 p.m.
Wednesday, January 1
New World Tavern, 56 Main St., invites you to test your wits at its weekly Trivia Night from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Enjoy the music of Hitch and Jimmy C from 8 to 11 p.m.
Thursday, January 2
The Pilgrim Sands Comedy Night at – where else? – the Pilgrim Sands Hotel, 150 Warren Ave., at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Presented by Inebri-art, the show is hosted by Bob Giannini and features the sharp wit of Adrian Morse. Headlining the night is JJ Jones, “whose quick humor and engaging style will have you in stitches.” Tickets are $20 and you can get them here.