Locals and visitors from all over Southern California visited Casa Escobar Malibu to ring in the new year with live music, spirits and an assortment of Mexican cuisine. Diamond Lane Entertainment presented the Bring In 2016 New Year’s Eve Party, featuring performances by Shwayze and Lenny Goldsmith and The New Old.
Opening act rocker, singer-songwriter Lenny Goldsmith and his 13-piece band had the crowd dancing and moving to a selection of original and classic songs.
“Playing for you all at Casa [Escobar Malibu] on New Year’s Even was like playing a private party at someone’s home,” Goldsmith hared. “The band and I are so comfortable there. Our army is small, but intimate — it felt like playing in front of family.”
And it was a family affair for singer Leslie Martinez whose adult children, Dakota and Devon, sang backup vocals for Lenny Goldsmith and The New Old alongside her.
“I pinch myself every single time I get up to sing with Lenny Goldsmith and his excellent band,” Martinez said. “To be surrounded by my kids, a part of such a fantastic sound is … pure joy.”
Goldsmith also shared the stage with special guest singer-songwriter Julia Fordham who joined the group to play a few of her own songs.
Taking the crowd into the new year was Shwayze and his band. Shwayze — who released a new album, “King of the Summer,” in 2015 — was on his home turf while playing at Casa Escobar Malibu.
“I was happy I was able to bring in the new year at home, surrounded by my family and friends,” Shwayze said. “No better place to do that than at Casa Escobar.”
