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12/29/2006
From heavy metal to jazz, New Year's Eve features... Parties A' Plenty
Kenny Olson's band, The Flask, will be rocking the stage that bears his name at Union Street Station on New Year's Eve.
TRAVERSE CITY — Where will you be when the ball drops? If the answer is out and about in northern Michigan, then choices abound for food, music and entertainment at resorts, clubs and bars across the region. From heavy metal to jitterbug jazz, there's something for everyone to toast as we bid 2006 bon voyage and prepare to forget our New Year's resolutions. At Crystal Mountain Resort in Thompsonville, 2007 hits with a bang with fireworks at midnight. Guests can also take a step back in time with a "Fairytale Knights” family-themed party starting at 7 p.m. Patrons are encouraged to dress as princes, princesses, courts or jesters for the event. "We really haven't done it before this way,” said Joan O'Neill, public relations director. "It's kind of a two-level thing in our main lodge.” An adult dance party with a DJ and cash bar also will take place at 9 p.m. There's also a torchlight parade and horse-drawn surrey rides with a bonfire and marshmallows for kids. Make your reservations early, though. "We're expecting to be 100 percent full this weekend,” O'Neill said. Leelanau Sands and Turtle Creek casinos will both be toasting the New Year with martinis — shaken, not stirred. James Bond is the theme for the night and staff will be dressed to kill, said Grand Traverse Resort and Spa spokesman J. Mike DeAgostino. The Ronnie Hernandez Band will provide music at the Leelanau Sands, and duo Jeff Baldori and Bobby Gardner will perform at Turtle Creek. Party favors and prize drawings will be available. Jazz, country and "high energy” is the bill at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa in Acme, which is offering two parties and a kids' party. The Governor's Hall party will feature country band Heartland and the higher octane sounds of Kung Fu Diesel. The doors open at 8 p.m. and food from the resort chefs will be available. Line-dancing lessons will also take place. Upstairs in the Trillium Restaurant and Lounge, a swanky four-course dinner will be served to the sounds of a local jazz septet featuring Dawn Campbell, Chris McCall, Laurie Sears, Ron Getz, Tim Wire, Jason Kott, and Matt Hayes. The Trillium party will have two seatings, at 6 and 8:30 p.m. A dinner jacket is required. Call ahead for reservations. Additionally, a kids' bash with games, pizza and snacks will take place at 7 p.m. for parents to drop off the youngsters and attend the festivities upstairs. Shuttles to the Turtle Creek Casino will be available. Shanty Creek Resort in Bellaire will host three parties. "Rock Around The Clock” will offer 1950s drive-in nostalgia and guests are encouraged to come dressed in poodle skirts and hula hoops (or make their best attempt). The family-friendly buffet dinner starts at 7 p.m. and will offer a DJ spinning a variety of 1950s themed music and contests. The adults only "Midnight at the Mountain” party in Ivan's Restaurant will feature the funky grooves of Soul Express starting at 7 p.m. A cash bar will be open throughout the night. Finally, parents can take their kids to the "Rock Around The Clock Teen Party” at the Summit Village at 9 p.m. With a wrist-band, kids can come and go all night. Music, games and snacks are available. For those looking to shake their moneymaker, Streeters in Traverse City is offering a trifecta of dance club entertainment, with three parties running simultaneously. The funkiness of T Money Green and Road Work begin at 7 p.m. 3 Thumbs Up and a special guest, and DJ Psycho, DJ Brandon Kozal, MC Crutch and DJ Beast all kick off at 9 p.m. An all-you-can-eat seafood buffet is available for an extra cost. It's a head-banger's ball at The Other Place in Traverse City. Twelve bucks gets you in to see heavy metal rockers Know Lyfe with Once Was I and Chimokaman. The party will feature a wet T-shirt contest for those 18 and older. The doors open at 8 p.m. On the bar scene in Traverse City, Kenny Olson's band, The Flask, will be rocking the stage that bears his name at Union Street Station. The Loading Dock will feature the swashbuckling sounds of folk-reggae band Rootstand. Across the street, 310 will feature the Detroit-based blues of The Laith Al-Sadi Band at 11 p.m. At Lil Bo's, local rock band Egon will perform and food will be served until 3 a.m. In Petoskey, the City Park Grill will be jumping to the music of The Mudbugz, and Papa Lou's will feature DJ Bill da Cat playing decades-themed music. Boyne Mountain Resort will cater to the jazz fans at the Mountain Grand Lodge with the Epsilon Jazz band and the New Reformation Jazz Band performing swing, jitterbug, Chicago-jazz and standards. Hors d'oeuvres will be served and formal attire is requested. The party begins at 8 p.m. The Avalanche Bay indoor water park will be open until 1 a.m. with a DJ and family-themed games. The Blissfest Music Organization is hosting a swing dance and instruction with the Up North Big Band at the Petoskey Fairgrounds starting at 7:45 p.m. Noel Leaman's Dueling Pianos will ring in 2007 at the "Razzle Dazzle” New Year's Eve party at the Little River Casino in Manistee. Hors d'oeuvres will be served as well as two dinner seatings at 5 and 8 p.m., with a champagne toast at midnight. At Williamsburg Dinner Theater, $68 gets you a gourmet three-course combo fare and show, with music by Dominic Fortuna after the regular cast performs the holiday show and special bits from the past year. The doors open at 7 p.m. Also for the family oriented, McGuire's Resort in Cadillac is hosting outside activities all day. They are offering a kids club and adult bash. "Pirates” is the theme; come dressed accordingly. Cadillac DJ "Hot Tracks” will be playing inside Curly's Up North Bar and Grill inside the resort. Most parties will be offering a champagne toast at midnight and party favors. Attendees should call ahead for reservations.
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