Mon., Dec. 31, Tower of Power

When I interviewed Tower of Power bandleader Emilio Castillo several years ago, he told me that when he was a kid, his band's goal was to travel from Oakland to play a topless bar in Sacramento. Forty years later, hopefully no one goes topless when the band visits the area to play a New Year's Eve party at Thunder Valley Casino Resort. The group is known for its deep-pounding grooves and hits such as “Soul Vaccination,” “What Is Hip?” and “Diggin' on James Brown.” It's the ultimate live dance music, as nearly every song is an open invitation from the band to hit the dance floor. 1200 Athens Avenue in Lincoln, www.towerofpower.com.