Posted on Sun, Dec 27, 2009 : 5:07 a.m.
From A-Z: Something for everyone on New Year’s Eve
By Roger LeLievre
Yes, 2009 was quite a year — although you may have other, more colorfully descriptive, words for it. If times were better than usual, and you’d like to express your fondest desire for continued good fortune in 2010, or you’ve had one of those can’t-wait-to-see-the-damned-thing-gone-don’t-let-the-door-hit-you-on-the-way-out kinds of years, feel free to peruse the plethora of party plans for New Year’s Eve conveniently summarized below, then send the last 365 days away in whatever style it has surely earned. Just watch out for that full moon.
Here’s a selection of local New Year’s Eve events from A to Z — literally:
L.A.-based comedian Willie Barcena performs at 8 ($25) and 10:30 p.m. ($30, includes a glass of champagne at midnight). 314 East Liberty Street, Ann Arbor. Details: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase web site or 734-996-9080.
A casual “Brew Year’s Eve” celebration marked by the release a different keg of small-batch celebratory beer every hour from 8:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m., dinner specials, live music and no cover. 114 East Washington Street, Ann Arbor. Details: Arbor Brewing Co. web site or 734-213-1393.
New Year’s Eve means local harmonizers The Chenille Sisters, performing what seems to have become an annual show. Grace Morand, Cheryl Dawdy and Connie Huber are always sophisticated and sometimes silly, and each of their New Year’s Eve shows is a bit different. The show starts at 10 p.m. (doors at 9 p.m.) and tickets are $35. 316 South Main Street, Ann Arbor. Details: The Ark web site or 734-761-1451.(See related story)
The dance party known as The Bang! proposes that in 2010 “the world will end and all that will be left is Cher’s face, cockroaches, a destroyed disco ball and The Bang!” In any event, Discopocalypse starts at 9:30 p.m. Cover: $8 (under 21, $11). Doors open at 9:30 p.m. 208 South First Street, Ann Arbor. Details: Blind Pig web site or The Bang! web site.
New Year’s Eve party featuring Dearborn rock band Killer Flamingos, Stoo’s Karaoke, two DJs, all-night dinner buffet and champagne at midnight. Tickets are $39.95. 210 South First Street, Ann Arbor. Details: Cavern Club web site or 734-332-9900.
Four-course meal with champagne toast at 7 p.m. for Irish New Year; a DJ spins dance music, starting at 10 p.m. Champagne toast at midnight and a breakfast buffet at 1 a.m. Tickets: $60 per person. 318 South Main Street, Ann Arbor. Details/reservations: Conor O’Neill’s web site or 734-665-2968.
Beer Bash features funk/soul band Third Coast Kings and includes a special Rat Pad brew that will be tapped just before midnight to toast the New Year. Festivities start at 8 p.m. and go until 1a.m. No cover. 720 Norris Street, Ypsilanti. Details: Corner Brewery web site or 734-480-2739.
Doors open at 7:30 p.m., open dancing and party until 12:30 a.m. Admission: $65 per person, advanced ticket sales only. 1918 Whittaker Road, Ypsilanti. Call 734-369-9700 for reservations. Dance Pavilion web site.
A 24-hour puppet show from the Dreamland puppet troupe, Patrick Elkins and others (volunteers welcome). Marionettes, shadow puppets, rod puppets and more will be used to perform this epic production that runs from noon December 31-noon January 1 at 26 North Washington Street, Ypsilanti. Details: Dreamland Theater web site.
First night of the annual, four-night Mittenfest music celebration, a benefit for 826michigan. Performers include Chris Bathgate, Matt Jones & the Reconstruction, Electric Fire Babies, White Pines, Photographers, The Ferdy Mayne, Annie Palmer, Elle and the Fonts and This is Deer Country. Stargrazer Dance party with DJ Todd Osborne following the bands. Doors open at 4 p.m. Tickets: $9 at the door. 6 South Washington Street, Ypsilanti. Details: Elbow Room web site or 734-483-6374.
DJ Tres Styles and others spin the tunes from 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Cover: $25 (in advance, $20). 301 East Huron Street Details: Goodnite Gracie web site or 734-752-5740 (call or text).
Music and dancing kicks off with the Bluescasters, with Al Hill & the Love Butlers featuring George Bedard taking the stage at 10 p.m. Doors open at 8 p.m.Tickets: $49 per person (includes hors d’ouevres, two drink tickets, party favors, champagne toast, tax and gratuity). Reservations: 734-769-9800 ext 6219. 3600 Plymouth Road (in the Holiday Inn), Ann Arbor. Details: Guy Hollerin's web site.
Cover band UltraViolet plays in the Grand Ballroom, while DJ Charles Sutton mixes it up in the Atrium Ballroom. Various packages include meals and an overnight stay. For reservations, call 734- 769-2500. More info at Habitat Ultralounge web site.
DJ Dance Party featuring retro/punk/soul/indie/new wave/glam dance favorites from Plastic Passion-Direct Hits Extravaganza, with a surprise live band headliner. Party favors and giveaways all night long. 215 North Main Street, Ann Arbor. Cover: $10 (in advance, $8). Details: Heidelberg Club web site or 734-663-7758.
DJ Nick Mixwell spins from 8 p.m.-4 a.m. Cover: $25 (in advance, $20). 102 South First Street Details: Live at PJ’s web site or 734-752-5740 (call or text).
Dance to live pop-rock tunes from the Lucas Paul Band. 314 South Main Street. Call for time and cover. Details Melange web site or 734-222-0202.
DJs spin top 40 dance music at a Winter Wonderland party in the main room. Open until 4 a.m . 516 East Liberty Street, Ann Arbor. Necto web site or 734-994-5436.
New Year’s Eve Gourmet Dinner and Trek to Ypsilanti
Join local adventure tour company owner Heather O’Neal, who will lead a 15-mile hike (a half marathon without the running) from the Old West Side neighborhood to the Huron River and along the river all the way to Ypsilanti. Meet at The Eighth Street Trekkers’ Lodge B&B, 120 Eighth Street, Ann Arbor, at 5 p.m. and end in Ypsilanti — location to be announced. Trekkers will stop three times to enjoy a potluck gourmet dinner party at picnic tables along the way. Rain, snow, sleet, hail or shine. Admission is free. Bring an appetizer, main dish or dessert to share and beverages of your choice plus water. Plates and silverware will be provided. Details: Dinner and Trek info or 734-369-3107.
Drake Meadow calls contras and English to music by Dr Grangelove (Debbie Jackson, Brad Battey, Dave Orlin). Also some couple dancing. 8 p.m. Admission: $12. 3337 Ann Arbor-Saline Road, Ann Arbor. Details: Pittsfield Grange web site or 734-913-0867.
Jeff Daniels’ one-man show, “Onstage & Unplugged,” is at 3 and 8 p.m. Thursday. 137 Park Street, Chelsea. Reservations can be made at the box office, 734-433-7673.
Spend New Year’s Eve with blues band The Martindales. 10 p.m.-1 p.m. No cover. 201 West Michigan Avenue, Ypsilanti. Details: Tap Room web site or 734-482-5320.
Vinology Wine Bar and Restaurant
New Year’s Eve party will be held in the Bubble Room, featuring a lounge atmosphere. The party, with a DJ, will run from 11 p.m.-close (probably 2 a.m.). Light snacks will be served. Tickets: $25 (include snacks and a toast of Dom Perignon at midnight). 110 South Main Street, Ann Arbor. Details: Vinology web site or 734-222-9841.
Everyone is welcome to join in this special candle-lighting service — a gentle and contemplative way to let the old year go and focus on peace and wisdom for ourselves and the world in the new year. Suggested donation: $10. 1214 Packard Street, Ann Arbor. Details: Zen Buddhist Temple web site or 734-761-6520.
If you have any energy (and/or money) left, Mittenfest IV continues at the Elbow Room starting at 1 p.m. In addition, Ann Arbor singer/songwriter Chris Buhalis will offer his now-annual tribute to the songs of the late Townes Van Zandt and Hank Williams Sr. at Old Town starting at 6 p.m. 122 W. Liberty St., Ann Arbor. Details: 734-662-9291.You can also get 2010 off to a healthy start with a free New Year’s Walk, a 30-45 minute stroll beginning (and ending) at 11 a.m. at 217 West Michigan Avenue in downtown Ypsilanti, next to the library.
There's also a Legacy Land Conservancy-sponsored New Year’s Nature Walk in Ann Arbor on January 2: meet at Beckwith Conservancy Nature Preserve at 10 a.m. (more detailed directions here [PDF] and the Washtenaw Land Trust web site). If you go, say hello for me. I will probably start 2010 off by sleeping late, pillows piled high above my head.
What’s that? Happy New huh? Just go away already! Oh, OK ... I’m up. Watch out, 2010 — I think you're going to be a very good year.
Roger LeLievre is a freelance writer who covers music for AnnArbor.com.
Comments
Chrysta Cherrie
Mon, Dec 28, 2009 : 4:15 p.m.
Great rundown, Roger! Our food & drink guru, Jessica Webster, rounded up some restaurant-related local NYE events, too: http://www.annarbor.com/entertainment/food-drink/what-are-you-doing-new-years-eve/
Jordan Miller
Mon, Dec 28, 2009 : 10:35 a.m.
Roger! This list is awesome! Way to get something in for everyone.