The funk hits the fan this New Year’s Eve, as Booty Vortex rocks Johnny D’s as only they can do.

By Max Sullivan

New Year’s Eve is a time for everyone to celebrate, and local funk and soul band Booty Vortex will be laying down the groove at Johnny D’s in Davis Square this Saturday night for those in need of an old school alternative to the more common thud of modern club music.

“We play dance music,” said Julia Cruz, AKA Honey Child, Somerville native and Booty Vortex’s band leader, “But we play a different kind of dance music.”

Formed in 2004, Booty Vortex have all the prerequisites met for a great classic funk and disco band: four highly qualified singers, both male and female; loud but precise horns; a powerful rhythm section with lead guitar and keyboard; the dedication required to bring it all together as a tight unit in the live setting. They even have their own individual “funk” names, like PiXiStiX, Goldfingers, and E-Bop. Above all, they are entirely focused on having fun, reveling in their up tempo live show.

“Its high energy,” said Cruz. “You really won’t be able to not move your body a little bit. Even if you don’t like to dance, you will feel like you’re dancing, even if you’re sitting in your seat.”

The music spans a wide range of funk and disco: Sly and the Family Stone, Prince, Bee Gees, The Jackson Five, Parliament and more. Few names are missing from the set list, satisfying even the most snobbish of funk connoisseur.

“We play songs that people know, but then we’ll go a little deeper on the funk and kinda surprise people,” said Cruz. “Maybe they’d never heard it before but they’re definitely gonna like it.”

Cruz said the show is for people of all ages (above 21, of course). She has seen younger folks hear funk and disco played live for the first time, as well as older club hoppers looking to relive the nightlife of their youth.

“I’ve had lot of fans come up and say, ‘Oh, I used to go to Studio 54 all the time, and it’s still great coming out and relive that,’” said Cruz.

Booty Vortex are regulars at Johnny D’s, playing there several times a year. This will be the band’s third time serving as the Johnny D’s New Year’s Eve house band since 2008.

Somerville maintains its own hipness, especially Davis Square, where Cruz lives just two blocks from the venue. She takes note of this, acknowledging the diversity in culture and eclectic musical backgrounds from which its people come from.

“[Somerville residents] just love to come out and have a good time and support local music, and we love that,” said Cruz. “The thing that is so cool about Somerville is there’s people of all ages, of all backgrounds, and of all cultural interests and people do love to come out and enjoy good music here and it’s acceptable.”

Cruz said that even Mayor Curtatone digs him some Booty Vortex.

“The mayor loves us,” said Cruz, laughing. “Actually, I think he said he’s coming to the show on New Year’s.”

Booty Vortex take the stage at Johnny D’s at 9:30 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and go until 1:30 AM. Tickets are still available at the door. $26 cover.