Les Claypool will change things up New Years Eve by hosting an A Night at the Opera event with Zappa Plays Zappa. The performance will take place at San Franciscos War Memorial Opera House, with fellow experimental musician Tim Fite scheduled to open. Keeping with the evenings theme, a number of premium box seats are available for groups of six or eight, which include souvenir posters, complimentary champagne and other beverages, waitress service and an exclusive box seat holder only lounge/bar with video broadcast of the show. As of press time, Claypools only additional 2008 solo performance will take place at Columbia, MOs Bacchanalia Fest on October 18.

Last night, Fite helped open Brooklyns newest venue, The Bell House. Fite played a short set as part of the clubs opening ceremony on a bill that also included The New Pornographers Carl Newman, The Mugs, comedian Eugene Mirman and members of Nada Surf, among others. The venue is operated by the same team that runs the nearby Union Hall, a bar/restaurant that has seen live music by Surprise Me Mr. Davis, Cold War Kids, Elvis Perkins and Ambulance LTD, among others.