Continuing on the jazzy side, the Tucson Jazz Society is presenting the New Year's Eve Jazz All-Stars Gala at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort and Spa, 3800 W. Starr Pass Blvd. The night features a five-course dinner which begins at 7:30 p.m. At 8:15 p.m., music from the Jazz All-Stars begins. The group features Brian Bromberg, Jeff Lorber, Paul Jackson Jr. , Marion Meadows, Rick Braun and Joel Taylor. They'll be followed at 10 p.m. by a dance featuring New York R&B and jazz-funk performers including Cindy Bradley, Yaz Takagi, Eric J. Smith, John Geralds and Tomoaki Kanno. There will also be a midnight champagne toast. Dinner, show and champagne costs $139 per person; toss in a room at the resort for the night, and the cost is $399 per couple. For further details, head to the Jazz Society Web site, or call 903-1265, the same number to call for reservations.
If those options are a wee bit upscale for your tastes, but you'd still like dinner with your live music, the shindig at the Boondocks Lounge, 3306 N. First Ave., may be more your speed. For a mere $15 in advance, or $20 at the door, you'll be treated to a buffet dinner with American and Southwestern fare, plus desserts, party favors and champagne. Doors open at 7 p.m., and at 9 p.m., local country/roots rockers the Kevin Pakulis Band will take the stage. For further information, call 690-0991, or head to the Boondocks Web site.
Each year Hotel Congress, 311 E. Congress St., rings in the New Year with a themed party, and this year is no exception: The legendary hotel will be transformed into something resembling Brazil's famed Carnaval celebration, with three stages of dancing, DJs, live music, Brazilian drum lines, a casino and the only midnight ball drop in town. There are several packages available, including combinations of dinner at the Cup Café, hotel rooms and access to a special VIP area with its own bar, food, music, restroom and party favors. The basic rate for entrance is $15 in advance, available online at Hotel Web site, or $20 at the door. You're advised to get your tickets or make your package reservations early, as the event, which begins at 8 p.m., sells out every year. Call 622-8848 for more info.
The closest thing in the Old Pueblo to seeing how they celebrate New Year's Eve in France will take place at Le Délice French restaurant, 7245 E. Tanque Verde Road. Marianne Dissard and Matt Mitchell will perform neo-lounge and French cabaret songs from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., and dinner will be served from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The music is free, but dinner reservations are highly recommended. You can make them or get additional information by calling 290-9714.
Downtown's Armory Park Center, 220 S. Fifth Ave., will feature a catered dinner, followed by dancing to live music by The New Santi Trio. Tickets are $20 per person, and only 100 tickets will be sold. Call 791-4865 for further details.
Each Monday night at the Surly Wench Pub, 424 N. Fourth Ave., DJs Matt McCoy, Dewtron and NoirTech spin electro-punk, new wave and '80s dance tunes at "Black Mondays." On New Year's Eve, the club will present a special '80s prom-themed installment of the series, which will also include a champagne toast at midnight, a Polaroid prom-photo booth, party favors and "totally awesome decorations." The fun begins at 9 p.m. Admission is $7 at the door, but if you RSVP at the Black Mondays Web site, it's $5. For more information, head to the Surly Wench Web site or call 882-0009.
Level Bar Lounge, 4280 N. Campbell Ave., will be hosting its "End of the Year Extravaganza" starting at 8 p.m. Music will be supplied by resident DJs Andy Dominguez (aka Big Brother Beats) and John Haze. The night will also feature two-for-one cocktails and half off premium champagne bottles. Admission is $20 per person--unless you choose to sample the prix-fixe menu at the St. Philip's Plaza location of 58 Degrees and Holding Co. earlier in the night. Present your receipt at Level's door, and admission is $10. For additional details, head to the Level Web site or call 615-3835.
Plush, 340 E. Sixth St., has earned its reputation as the Fourth Avenue area's most reliable venue for live music, and tonight, they're sticking to what they do best: featuring three of Tucson's renowned bands and performers. Headlining the event are earthy acoustic rockers Haley Jane, preceded by jazz-funksters Tryst and singer-songwriter Leila Lopez and her band. Doors open at 8 p.m.; the music begins at 9 p.m., and admission, which includes a midnight champagne toast, is $10. For additional details, go to the Plush Web site or call 798-1298.
Ring in the New Year with Southern-fried rock and blues courtesy of locals the Kuz-N-Stanley Band at The Hideout Saloon, 1110 S. Sherwood Village Drive, starting at 9:30 p.m. Admission is likely free, and you can call 885-6443 for more information.
The Famous Sam's located at 7129 E. Golf Links Road will celebrate New Year's Eve with live music from Vinyl Scream starting at 9 p.m. Admission is free and includes a champagne toast, hats and noisemakers. Reservations are not accepted, and the night will run on a first-come, first-seated basis. For more details, call 296-1245.
Those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Tucson proper can head to Hacienda del Lago, located at the Del Lago Golf Club in Vail, 14155 E. Via Rancho del Lago. For $65 per person, each guest will be treated to a four-course dinner and entertainment by artists performing in the style of Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe. There will be two dinner seatings--one at 6 p.m., and one at 9 p.m. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 647-3109. For further info, call the same number or head to the Club Web site.
