By Cali Bagby

With the beating of congas and bongo, and voices singing, the Lopez new year will be rung in with hip-shaking and toe tappin’ tunes.

The local band Tiempo de Lopez, who plays “Hot Caribbean” dance music, will be performing Saturday, Dec. 31, 8:30 p.m. a the Lopez Center for Community and the Arts.

“With the community we are bringing in the new year 2012 and everything that goes with it,” said Jaime Alarcon, on lead and backup vocals and percussion. “It is a time of change, the end of a cycle and the beginning of a new one. Hopefully there will be more balance in the new year and in the universe.”

Tiempo de Lopez formed in 2009 after a similar group — Santos de Lopez, which played on the island in the last 80s and early 90s, disbanded.

“Our intention as a band is to sing songs about healing, empowerment, taking care of earth, and generations to come,” said Alarcon.

Musicians Hawk Arps, Deborah Boneville, Jaime Cordova, Lark Dalton, Sand Dalton, Colin Doherty, Christy Johnson, Donnie Poole, and Steve Sovelove will be seen on stage with various instruments including the vibraphone, bongo, trumpet, saxophone and many more.

The Lopezian musicians sing in Spanish and English, and perform a range of genres from “soca” played in Trinidad, to “reggae” played in Jamaica, to New Orleans style music and “mambo.”

The group’s name Tiempo de Lopez translates to The Lopez Time, which Alarcon said is not a reference to tempo or the speed, but rather the idea  of living in the present.

“If you just live in the presence you would never age,” said Alarcon. “Because there is no past or future just the now.”

He adds that the New Year show will be filled with lots of dancing, families, the spirit of community and the band’s enthusiasm.

“The band is like a family,” said Alarcon. “We all love each other and like to be together. It’s a very sweet band.”

Their Facebook site is already full of comments like “Lucky us,” I’m looking forward to a night of dancing,” and “you rock.”

Concert goers are urged to bring a dessert or finger food to share. Beer, wine, juice and tea are available for sale.

For more info, visit www.facebook.com/events/243450555723305.

Tickets in advance and at the door are $10 for adults and $5 for youths, and are available from the Lopez Center office, online at www.lopezcenter.org and at Paper Scissors on the Rock, and Blossom Organic Grocery. Youth  five years and under are free.