The new year has only just begun, and plenty of changes are shaping up in the local music scene. I'll be heading down to the D&F tower (16th St. Mall at Arapahoe) next week for one of the preview nights of Lannie Garrett's new music venue. The downstairs space most recently housed the Rattlebrain Theater group, and is set to open next Friday the 27th as Lannie's Clocktower Cabaret. "The Patsy Decline Show" will run Wednesdays - Saturdays until April 29, with a Tuesday night Retro Vaudeville show and guest performers on Mondays (and in between Lannie's regular productions.) It's a non-smoking room, which I always appreciate, and it sounds like the new 'do of the interior is quite cozy. Another new joint just opened, right here in my neighborhood. Look for the Three Kings Tavern at 60 S. Broadway to host plenty of local rock music and smaller touring acts as well. The "three kings" are Jim Norris and two other former employess of local promoters NIPP, and this is their first solo venture. I'll probably be heading down next Wednesday night to check out a new weekly DJ event; Kevin from Twist & Shout will spin from his appropriately eclectic music collection, so expect anything from reggae to '80s pop to retro rarities to make appearances. And down at Rock Island, the guys at Soda Jerk Presents just announced that they are jumping ship, taking their stable of mainly hard-rockin' live shows around the corner to the new Marquis Theatre at 20th & Larimer. The first shows start up on Thursday, February 2 with Bayside, and Friday February 3 with the Veronicas. Hit the Soda Jerk site for the full schedule. And here I thought that January and February would be a slow time this year. I've now got plenty of things on my to-do list, all three of the above included.