It's that Time: Casinos unveil New Year's shows

Minnesota's big casinos always tend to think extra-big for New Year's Eve, and Mystic Lake just announced what will probably be the grandest of all lineups to top off 2017. Here's a rundown of theirs and other casinos' lineups for the holiday, which this year conveniently falls on a Sunday (making for a long weekend).

The nearest casino to Minneapolis has not one but three different performances lined up for the weekend, starting with the return of one of the last living blues legends, Buddy Guy, on Saturday, Dec. 30 in the Mystic Showroom ($40-$60). Guy, 81, was still the consummate showman when he played there with the Experience Hendrix tour in March.

Then on New Year's Eve, the showroom will first host an early-evening (5 p.m.) concert by Minneapolis' own revered party-starters Morris Day & the Time, who still put on a rowdy and funky show with other heyday-era members Jellybean Johnson and Monte Moir ($30-$60). The night will end with a stand-up set by one of the most loved and hated stars of the comedy world, Dane Cook (9:30 p.m., $69-$149). Tickets for all three events go on sale today at 10 a.m. via mysticlake.com.

After hosting both Journey and Styx already this year, the TI entertainment crew is bringing in another classic-rock staple for Dec. 31 that no longer features its primary singer, Grand Funk Railroad. Those tickets also go on sale at 10 a.m. today for $39 and up via Ticketmaster.com. The "American Band" hit-making band hasn't featured Mark Farner since 2000 but still boasts co-founding drummer/co-vocalist Don Brewer and bassist Mel Schacher, plus '80s-era Kiss guitarist Bruce Kulick, who has been a Grand Funk member for many years.

The lakeside Grand Casino will host two of the most famous platinum-blondes of the 1980s glam-metal world on Dec. 31: ex-Mötley Crüe singer Vince Neil and former Runaway and Ozzy Osbourne duet partner Lita Ford. Tickets are $40 and $50 and already on sale via grandcasinomn.com.

For those looking to save a little money at a casino (ahem), Minnesota's own rocking countryman Chris Hawkey and his band will lead the free NYE party at the other Grand Casino.

612-673-4658 • @ChrisRstrib