[ Features Index | North Bay | Metroactive Home | Archives ]

10 . . . 9 . . . 8 . . .: The Zydeco Flames stomp in the new year at Rancho Nicasio. Dropping the Ball Places to go and people to see on New Year's Eve By Sara Bir Party favors, champagne toasts, balloon showers, black tie, white glove, hors d'oeuvres, live music, midnight buffets--you know the drill. See a band, cut a rug, and don't forget to eat black eyed peas for good luck. New Year's Eve is all in what you make it, though; the most grandiose of plans can shatter if your attitude stinks, so keep on the sunny side and stay close to home or plan for a convenient sofa (in a friend's place or a luxury suite) to crash on. Clubs Club FAB DJ Mykel M. and "amazing live sculpture art," whatever that is. Includes appetizer and dessert buffet, plus balloon drop at midnight. Whee! 9pm-2am. 16135 Main St., Guerneville. $15 advance; $20 door. 707.869.5708; www.clubfab.com. Connolly's Pub Good Life Rhythm and Blues Revue. 1129 Main St., Guerneville. $5. 707.869.1916. Flamingo Lounge Country rock with Shannon Rider Band from 9pm-1am. 2777 Fourth St., Santa Rosa. $20. 707.545.8530, ext. 727. Forestville Club Sonoma County porch-punk with Stiff Dead Cat, a band whose mere name incites controversy. 9pm. 6250 Front St., Forestville. $10. 707.887.2594. Jasper O'Farrells Bonedaddy and the Skeleton Crew. 9:30pm. 6957 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol. Free. 707.823.1389. Jenner Community Center The Grapes of Wrath (a rock and roll band, not the book). 9pm-1am, Jenner Community Center, Jenner (behind gas station). $10. 707.865.2611. Last Day Saloon Jackson 5 covers and more from Wonderbread 5, special dinner, party favors, champagne toast--and free buffet at midnight, because dancing works up a fierce hunger. 9pm. 120 Fifth St., Santa Rosa. $50 advance; $75 day of show. 707.545.2343; www.lastdaysaloon.com. Little Switzerland Nothing better than a pair of lederhosen and an overflowing stein on New Year's. Polka to Gary Siebert and Polka Power; special New Year's Eve menu. 401 Grove St., Sonoma. 707.938.9990. Main Street Station Ristorante-Cabaret Multiply New Year's fun with celebrations for every time zone on the hour. Entertainment from Vernelle Anders Jazz Trio . . . and, of course, champagne. 16280 Main St., Guerneville. $10. 707.869.0501; www.mainststation.com. Monroe Dance Hall Swing, country, nightclub, and ballroom dancing with DJ Steve. Balloon sculptures, truffles at midnight, refreshments included. 7:30pm-12:30am. 1400 W. College Ave., Santa Rosa. $20. 707.829.0234. Murphy's Irish Pub Karaoke while counting down the hours to 2003. Wear formal attire and get a free pint! 9pm. 464 First St. E., Sonoma. 707.935.0660. New George's Say goodbye to 2002 and to the Mother Hips, who will be playing their last show ever. Champagne toast and festive hats included. 9pm. 842 Fourth St., San Rafael. $30. 415.457.1515; www.newgeorges.net. 19 Broadway Chrome Johnson, plus party favors, champagne toast at midnight, and snacks. 9:30pm. 19 Broadway, Fairfax. $15. 415.459.1091; www.19broadway.com. The Old Vic Double the rockabilly with Hopped Up! and the Royal Deuces. 9:30pm. 731 Fourth St., Santa Rosa. $5. 707.571.7555. Old West Saloon Funk and R&B from the Rolling Blackouts beginning at 9:30pm. Highway One, Point Reyes Station. $5. 415.663.1661. Powerhouse Brewing Co. Roy Rogers and the Delta Rhythm Kings. The "Master of the Blues Slide Guitar" returns to the Powerhouse to ring in another year. 10pm. 268 Petaluma Ave., Sebastopol. $40. 707.829.9171. Rancho Nicasio Stomp like it's a swamp with the Zydeco Flames. 8:30pm. Town Square, Nicasio. $35-$45 (advance only). 415.662.2219; www.ranchonicasio.com. Silverado Brewing Co. Rock and roll with C4INC. 9pm. 3020-A North St. Helena Hwy., St. Helena. 707.967.9876; www.c4inc.net. Spanky's Please note that in this area of Cotati, it is possible to stand outside and all at once hear music from not only Spanky's, but Sweet Lou's and the Tradewinds. Inside Spanky's, Counter Balance will play some rock. 8201 Old Redwood Hwy., Cotati. Free. 707.664.0169. Sweetwater Saloon Aram Danesh and the Family of Band, jazzy guitar with world music influences. Champagne toast at midnight. 9:30pm. 153 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley. $35. 415.388.2820; www.sweetwatersaloon.com. Ted's Restaurant Jackie Payne and Steve Edmunson Band (R&B), plus party favors. 9pm. 218 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., San Anselmo. $12. 415.453.8600; www.tedsrestaurants.com. 1351 Lounge Jazz vocals from Annie Sampson and Friends, plus sparkling wine toast and party favors. 9pm. 1351 Main St., St. Helena. $25. 707.963.1969; www.1351lounge.com. The Tradewinds Gala party with live music by the Pulsators, with a champagne toast at midnight. 9:30pm. 8210 Old Redwood Hwy., Cotati. $10. 707.795.7878; www.tradewindsbar.com. Zebulon's Lounge The North Bay's swankiest jazz nightspot greets the year with Dayna Stephens, Emmanuel Vaughn-Lee Trio, Jeff Marrs, and champagne toast at midnight. Zebulon's Lounge, 21 Fourth St., Petaluma. $25 advance; $30 door. 707.769.7948; www.zebulonslounge.com. Restaurants Giorgio's Ristorante Italiano Sit down to an elegant dinner prepared by chef Renzo Veronese. 300 Drakes Landing Road, Greenbrae. $65 for dinner only in the main room; $85 for dinner and midnight celebration in the ballroom. 415.925.0808. La Strada Special four-course dinner menu with party favors and a midnight champagne toast; music at 6pm and 1am. Seatings at 6pm, 8pm, and 10pm. 3660 Stony Point Road, Santa Rosa. $75 (reservation only). 707.585.1111. Santi Ring in the new year in Geyserville style. Santi is offering a special prix-fixe menu that includes delicacies like cannelloni with Dungeness crab, spinach, and fennel. 21047 Geyserville Ave., Geyserville. $55. Call for reservations. 707.857.1790. Sparks Welcome 2003 with an abundance of refined veganism. Sparks' Special New Year's Eve dinner boasts seven organic courses, from asparagus with hollandaise sauce to a satsuma mandarin coconut tart with lemon shortbread crust and cranberry sauce. 6-9pm. 16248 Main St., Guerneville. $40 seven-course dinner. 707.869.8206. Sweet Lou's Family Trattoria The Heavies, modern jazz quartet with soulful vocals. 9:30pm-1am. 8201 Old Redwood Hwy., Cotati. Show free with dinner. Reservations required. 707.793.0955; www.heaviesjazz.com. Stars Are Born: Go black tie for the Novato Theatre Restoration 'On Broadway' New Year's Eve Gala. Concerts Blue Moon Band Jump into the new year with Blue Moon's rhythm and blues stylings. Love Choir, Mr. Music, and the Sebastopol All Star Band open. 8pm-2am. $20 advance; $25 door. Community Center, 390 Morris St., Sebastopol. 707.823.1511. Konocti Harbor Inn Konocti kindly supplies four different bands in one handy resort for all of your swing, country, rock, and R&B needs: California Cowboys, Jukebox Heroes, Code Blue, and the Bay Area Big Band. Buffet, cocktails, champagne, party favors--the whole bit. 8727 Soda Bay Road, Kelseyville. $375-$525 per couple. 800.660.LAKE. McNear's Mystic Theatre Blues guy Charlie Musselwhite brings his band and his lil' harmonica at 9pm. 21 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma. $55 advance; $60 door. 707.765.2121; www.mcnears.com. Napa Valley Opera House It's a big band to-do at the Napa Valley Opera House's first New Year's gala with Swing Shift. Dinner, beverages, and champagne included. 8:30pm. 1030 Main St., Napa. $300. 707.226.7372; www.napavalleyoperahouse.org. 'The Spanish Hour' Cinnabar Opera Theater presents Ravel's The Spanish Hour, a bedroom farce set in a clock shop instead of a bedroom. Join the cast and crew with party favors, sparkling wine, desserts, and Spanish cuisine. 8:30pm. Cinnabar Theater, 3333 Petaluma Blvd. N., Petaluma. $50 general; $48 seniors and students. 707.763.8920; www.cinnabartheater.org. Events Best of the San Francisco Stand-Up Comedy Competition The funniest comedians left standing from the 2002 San Francisco Stand-Up Comedy Competition get the belly laughs going. 9pm. Marin Center's Showcase Theatre, 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. $25. 415.499.6800. Dance Festival Dance for peace at Harbin Hot Springs' New Year's Dance Festival with the Friends of the Unconditional Dance. You'll be fueled by organic vegetarian meals and energized by live music with Shabaz, Native Tongue, and more throughout the weekend. $495 for five days; $295 for three days. Call Rainah for reservations. 707.987.4812; [email protected]. 'For Whom the Bridge Tolls' This musical comedy revue by Rita Abrams and Stan Sinberg takes on Marin sacred cows in sketches like "Where's Bolinas?" and "Not One Decent Deli." The highlight just might be the ode to John Walker Lindh. 7pm and 10:30pm. Throckmorton Theatre, 142 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley. $45 early show; $75 late show. 415.499.4488; www.bridgetolls.com. Huichol Shamanism New Year's Retreat Shaman-healer Brant Secunda presents a Huichol Shamanism New Year's Retreat from Dec. 28 to Jan. 1. Head off to the hills of Sonoma to explore joy, beauty, and power in a rare opportunity to practice age-old shaman techniques in a natural setting. Learn the myths, cosmology, and sacred art of Huichol. Spend New Year's Eve at an all-night Dance of the Deer ceremony. $725. 831.475.9560; www.shamanism.com. Mayacamas Ranch An all-inclusive New Year's Eve getaway package with overnight accommodations, dinner, drinks, live music, and New Year's Day brunch. 3975 Mountain Home Ranch Road, Calistoga. $520 and up per couple. 707.942.5127; www.mayacamasranch.com. Napa Valley Wine Train All aboard for white-glove Station Reception with passed appetizers and the Jazz Project performing live. Enjoy a gourmet five-course dinner with bottomless champagne, wine, or beer to wash it all down. 5pm-1am. Napa Valley Wine Train Depot, 1275 McKinstry St., Napa. $200. 800.427.4124; www.winetrain.com. 'On Broadway' Gala The Novato Theatre Restoration Committee presents a black tie gala with television personality Jack Hudson as emcee. Tuxedo Junction Big Band and Grand Slam Mobile DJ provide the dancing beats. Hors d'oeuvres and dessert buffet, midnight champagne toast. 8pm-12:30am. Four Points Sheraton Hotel, 1010 Northgate Drive, San Rafael. $90. 415.897.0223; www.novatotheatre.org. Safari West Dinner and Dance Go wild on New Year's at Safari West Wildlife Preserve. Make like Meryl Streep in Out of Africa and indulge in a gourmet dinner and dancing in the company of exotic animals. Split after midnight strikes or stay in a luxury safari tent to awaken to a tasty New Year's brunch and a safari tour. 3115 Porter Creek Road, Santa Rosa. $75 dinner and dance; $500 per couple for dinner, dance, and overnight accommodations. 707.579.2551; www.safariwest.com. Sheraton Petaluma's Grand Ballroom The sounds of oldies radio come to life, courtesy of Pride and Joy. Have dinner at Jellyfish Restaurant. There will be champagne, appetizers, and a midnight buffet. 7:30pm. 745 Baywood Drive, Petaluma. $125-$550. 707.283.2915. Your House It's cheap, no reservations required, all ages, all hours, and any way you want it. You know the address. [ North Bay | Metroactive Central | Archives ]