Too late to CELEBRATE?

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 31/12/2011 (5371 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Its New Years Eve tonight, and if youre just realizing that now, you might need this last-minute guide to whats going on around town.

In Winnipeg, its almost like every other Saturday night, except there are some notable extra events going on, and the cover is a little more expensive at many of your favourite clubs.

Local bands and DJs handle the majority of entertainment duties at bars and clubs, but there are some exceptions, of course, and some venues and artists are shaking things up to justify the increase in admission prices.

Heres a list of the best of whats happening (note: a longer version of this story ran in The Tab on Thursday; call ahead to check on ticket availability, as many events may be sold out).

Most venues offer a free glass of champagne and/or a snack around the midnight hour. Pointy hats, noisemakers and hugs from strangers are unavoidable.

Family fun times

THE Forks is the place for families with a whole day of activities suitable for all ages. Events include skating, a snowboard park, kids crafts in the south aisle of The Forks Market (4:30-7:30 p.m.), horse-drawn wagon rides (5-8 p.m.) and live entertainment by Red Moon Road, Sol James, Segweh and Jerry Sereda from 6 to 9:30 p.m. on the main stage in The Forks Market.

DJs Co-op and Hunnicutt will host the dance-oriented Party in the Port outside at 9:30 p.m. prior to the 10 p.m. fireworks show by two-time world champions Archangel Fireworks.

Most events are free, but some could include a small fee. Skate rentals are available at the Mini Donuts Factory in The Forks Market ($2.50 for children, $4.50 for adults).

Let it ride

THERE are two full houses of musical entertainment at the citys casinos.

— Vancouver rock band Trooper headlines McPhillips Station Casino. As of press time there were two seats still available for $60. Jon Ljungberg will handle the MC and comedy duties.

— Electric Angel is at the Upperdeck Sports bar for the Its Only Rock N Roll Social. Tickets are $31 at Ticketmaster. Piano Catz are in the Grand Lobby from noon to 6 p.m., Luke & Murray play the front entrance from 1-10 p.m. and Blair Hordeski is in the Double Down Lounge from 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

— The mainstage at Club Regent remains closed during construction, but there are still plenty of entertainment options.

— Pepe Cortes plays for the buffet crowd from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Jaguars Restaurant & Lounge, while Roving Elvis and Roving Johnny Cash meander around the Transcona casino throughout the day.

— The Neil Keep Trio is at the Banyan Tree Lounge from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Next door at the Ambassador Ballroom in the Club Regent Hotel, cover band Pop Vegas plays a dance party. Tickets are $30 plus GST at the hotel front desk.

Swank it up

— The Winnipeg Convention Centres annual formal gala is going disco for its Saturday Night Fever celebration. The Ron Paley Big Band will provide the main musical boogie-woogie and be joined by a guest band performing hits of the 1970s. The dinner and dance package is $117 per person and dance-only tickets are $45 at 957-4545.

— The Republic Nightclub is holding a Hollywood Masquerade party featuring DJ Fuzion from Tao Nightclub in Las Vegas, a broadcast of NYE celebrations from around the world and a red carpet entrance. The $40 ticket price includes a masquerade mask.

— The fourth annual Champagne Supernova event at the Garrick Centre features DJs Keesh, Ric Hard and D-Lux headlining in two separate rooms playing a mix of hip-hop, house, Top 40 and electro. Tickets are $35 at Urban Bakery.

— Winnipegs newest nightclub — Opera Ultralounge, 441 Main St. — has dubbed its event the Black Tie Affair with music by DJ Immaculate. Tickets are $75 at operaultralounge.ca. You must be 21 years old or older to attend.

Get live

THE venues that host live music all year long arent changing things up drastically, but the bands that are playing include some of Winnipegs best talent, so its hard to go wrong.

— Oh My Darling hosts An Evening at the Grand Ole Opry at the Park Theatre with various guests. Tickets are $35.

— The Zoo rings in the New Year with metal bands Eyam, Bladelazer, Tyrants Demise, Mortal Ruins and Keiron Kancer. Admission is $12. Downstairs at Ozzys, its a mixture of bands and DJs as Razed, Macabria, Count Zero, Soul Killing Female and Synthroid take part in Apocalypse 2012. Admission is $10.

— The Toad in the Hole has roots rowdies Andrew Neville & the Poor Choices on the main floor and cover/party band the Wind-Ups downstairs in The Cavern. Admission is $15 for both floors.

— The Kings Head Pub has the Angry Dads on the main floor and the Retro Rhythm Revue on the second floor. Admission is $10 downstairs and $20 upstairs.

— Classic rock band Harlequin is at The Oak (tickets are $25 at 694-SHOW) and country fans can line dance to Day After Nashville at Cowboys (tickets are $20 at 694-SHOW).

— Roots rockers the Empty Standards pay tribute to singer-songwriter Tom Petty at the Times Change(d) High & Lonesome Club (admission is $10).

— Rock bands Victory Kid and Cougars for Christmas are at Shannons Irish Pub (no cover).

— Blues veteran Billy Joe Green is at the Windsor Hotel (admission TBA).

— At the Lo Pub, Ultra Mega, Haunter and the Lytics share the stage (tickets $20 at Ticketworkshop.com).

— Pop Sodas Coffee House and Gallery has Fire & Smoke, the Girth, Johnny River Boat, Bog River and DJ Rob Vilar. Admission is $10.

— Inward Eye side-project Cash Grab and the Funkophiles take over Le Garage. Admission is $20.

— Every Pony Corral in the city is hosting an event, with Mike and the Eastwood Gang at the Grant location, the Fighting Hellfish and casino games at Pony Corral Pier 7 and Oh So Popular downtown. Admission is $25, or $60 for dinner and dance.

— That 70s Band plays a disco party at the St. Norbert Arts Centre. Tickets are $50 at 269-0564.

Party rock is in the house

— DJs Co-op, Hunnicutt and DLO are at the Pyramid Cabaret for Happy Ending: Welcoming the Apocalypse with a Smile featuring a mix of hip-hop, R&B, reggae, dance and indie rock. Tickets are $25 at Kustom Kulture.

— Symptom Technologies DJs Joe Silva, Nathan Zahn, Jereme Oliver and Craig Sisk host the Midnight Affair Trois at The Cheer playing sophisticated tech-house. Admission is $15.

— New Osborne Village club The Greenroom (ex-Die Maschine) has named its party The Big Smooch with Montreals D.R. One and “tropical techno” duo the Hosers providing the entertainment. Admission is $20.

— Aura NightClub has DJ Jester from Toronto headlining its Minutes to Midnight party with DJ Spazz, R.O.Z. and Desi Ma. Tickets are $25, or $40 with dinner, at the clubs Facebook page.

— Whiskey Dix is encouraging its patrons to dress in white for its White Out party. Tickets are $30 at 944-7539.

— Dylan OConnors on Pembina is now the Marquee Lounge & Event Centre, home to the Hot 103/Sound Republic dance party with free admission, appetizers and party favours. No DJs were announced at press time.

— Most Canad Inns bars not hosting bands have a different theme event going on: Essence is hosting a Masquerade Ball with DJ Electric Kitten, Special K, Steve Adams and Orbit X; Stereo is toasting the Big Apple with its I Love NY party; and Area has Bliss NYE with DJ Fin-S, Tha Coach and a live video mix show. Tickets for each club are $25 at their respective hotels and 694-SHOW.

All that glitters

WINNIPEGS GLBT community is going all out with a series of flashy bashes.

— Club 200 is holding a Diamonds are Forever party. Tickets for dinner and dance are $20, or $15 for dance only at the club.

— Fame Night Club is getting shiny with its Glitter & Gold affair. DJs Danno and Ryan G will be spinning house and Top 40 tunes. Tickets are $10 at the club.

— Gios is having a Night on the Red Carpet formal wear party. DJ Danthrax and Prostar will be providing the musical entertainment. Cover is $5.

Getting around

NOTHING would put a damper on the New Year like getting busted for drinking and driving (or worse), so leave that car at home and keep these taxi numbers handy: Unicity, 925-3131; Duffys, 925-0101; Spring, 774-8294; Blueline, 925-8888 and Yellow, 582-7777. Dont expect a cab to show up in 10 minutes, either — call ahead.

Or you can drive to your party and get the fine volunteers at Operation Red Nose to drive you and your vehicle home for a donation. The Operation runs from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. Call them at 947-NOSE (6673).

And dont forget Winnipeg Transit. Its running free on New Years, but last buses leave downtown at 1:38 a.m., so if youre at a bar you wont be able to stick around for last call.

rob.williams@freepress.mb.ca;