Franco Center to ring in 2013

LEWISTON — The Franco-American Heritage Center in Lewiston is staging one of the area’s biggest New Year’s Eve parties by hosting an evening of fine dining, a concert comprised entirely of songs by John Lennon followed by a DJ dance party, and a champagne toast at midnight – all under one roof.

Dinner is at 7 p.m. and follows a social hour in the Franco Center’s downstairs Heritage Hall. Dinner is a four-course affair prepared by chef Edmond Gay consisting of appetizers, a salad, then a choice of either a beef filet in a reduced red wine sauce or chicken marsala as the main course with sides of roasted baby bakers potatoes or rice pilaf, and string beans. Topping off the meal is cheesecake.

After the meal, patrons will move upstairs to the Franco Center’s Performance Hall for a concert by The Nutopians, an eight-piece band that performs the songs of John Lennon, drawn from Lennon’s career as a member of The Beatles and as a solo artist. After their 2010 debut CD called “Imagined: The Songs of John Lennon,” The Nutopians are set to release another CD soon called “Re-Imagined” that features more Lennon songs.

The Nutopians were founded in 2010 by a couple of heavyweights in Maine music history: Rex Fowler of Aztec Two-Step and Tom Dean of the band Devonsquare.

While Devonsquare doesn’t play as much these days as it used to in its '90s heyday, Aztec Two-Step still keeps a busy touring schedule after four decades together, and within the past year the Maine Public Broadcasting Network televised one of their concerts live from Bangor’s Gracie Theater.

Following the Nutopians concert, party-goers will reconvene in Heritage Hall for a dance party led by local deejay Greg Curry and a champagne toast at midnight to welcome in the new year.

Party-goers can enjoy all for the above for the price of $60, although those interested in seeing just the concert can catch the roughly 90-minute set by The Nutopians beginning at 9 p.m. for just $25.

Through December 30, tickets can be purchased 24/7 online at www.francocenter.org or by phone at 689-2000. Franco Center box office hours are noon to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Tickets may also be purchased at the door on the day of the show, although patrons waiting until the last minute run the risk of the dinner, which is limited to 200 people, being sold out.

Dinner in Heritage Hall is under a reserved seating arrangement, whereas the concert in Performance Hall is general admission.