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Chicago
ARMAGEDDON RADIO HOUR: NEW YEAR'S EVE
WNEP Theater
3209 N. Halsted
773-755-1693
This spoof of a 1940s radio serial is set on New Year's Eve -- which might or might not also be the eve of the apocalypse. Curtain time is 10:30 PM; tickets are $45 and include hors d'oeuvres and a champagne toast.
ATHLETES UNITED FOR PEACE LAST RUN OF THE YEAR
Heartland Cafe
7000 N. Glenwood
773-465-8005
This annual 5K run and walk, which sponsors claim is "competitive at the front of the pack, relaxed and joyous at the back," has been moved to the evening for 2002. It starts at 8 PM at the Heartland Cafe, weaves through Loyola Park and along Lake Michigan, then returns to the restaurant for a New Year's Eve party with food and champagne; Aswah Greggori and the Enforcers play at the Heartland, the Outlaw Family Band at the adjoining Red Line Tap. There'll also be poetry and music down the street at No Exit Cafe (6970 N. Glenwood). The $25 race fee ($20 in advance) includes admission to all three venues, which otherwise is $15. See www.heartland-cafe.com.
BUCKINGHAM FOUNTAIN FIREWORKS
Grant Park
Congress Parkway and Columbus Drive
312-744-3315
Just like last year, the city's suggesting that people assemble for the Monroe Harbor fireworks display at 11:40 PM; the pyrotechnics will be preceded by a lighted fountain countdown to the new year. A mix of recorded pop, rock, and classical music will accompany the free spectacle.
CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD/HOLIDAYS OF LIGHT
Museum of Science and Industry
57th and Lake Shore Drive
773-684-1414
The tradition of inviting local ethnic organizations to decorate holiday trees for the Museum of Science and Industry's "Christmas Around the World" celebration began during World War II as a "salute to the American allies." Sixty years later the display features some 50 trees and three creches including a German tannenbaum (with the traditional pickle ornament) and a colorful straw-adorned tree from Belarus; new this year are trees representing the Bahamas and Korea. The exhibit also includes displays honoring the Chinese New Year, Diwali, Kwanza, Ramadan, Hanukkah, Visakha Puja Day, and Saint Lucia Day as well as demonstrations of winter solstice rituals from around the world. The museum is open New Year's Eve from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM; admission is $9 for adults, $7.50 for seniors, and $5 for children ages 3 to 11, with discounts for Chicago residents. Also on display at the museum through January 5 is "Titanic: The New Exhibition" (admission is an additional $10). See www.msichicago.org.
CRYSTAL COUNTDOWN 2002
Crystal Garden at Navy Pier
600 E. Grand
312-595-5466
This dinner buffet catered by Phil Stefani Signature Restaurants takes place among dancing fountains, palm trees, and lots of glass, through which revelers will get a prime view of the pier's Ferris wheel countdown and fireworks display. In addition to dinner, the $165 price tag -- up $15 from last year -- includes appetizers, an open bar, a champagne toast, and dancing to Ron Bendel and his Orchestra, not to mention tax, tip, and a raffle ticket. It runs from 8 PM to 1:30 AM; semiformal dress and reservations are required. See www.stefanirestaurants.com.
FUTURE FORWARD.03
Marriott Hotel
540 N. Michigan
312-555-1212
Last year this party sold out in 11 days. This year the bash -- sponsored by PURE promotions and UR Chicago magazine -- boasts three different sound environments plus an expanded open bar, more bartenders, and more DJs, including Teri Bristol, Psycho Bitch, John Curley, Martin "Boogieman" Luna, Shaka 23, Mark Centennial, and others. The $80 admission includes hors d'oeuvres, pasta, party favors, a champagne toast, tax, and tip as well as entry to two large ballrooms where the DJs will spin. VIP tickets are $125 and include access to all of the above plus private lounges and better food and drink. The bar's open from 9 PM to 2 AM and food is served from 9 to 11:30 PM. Rooms for the night are $139 (312-836-0100). See www.purefuture.com.
HOT ROCK 'N' SMOOTH JAZZ
Hyatt Regency McCormick Place
2233 S. Martin Luther King Dr.
312-528-4137
This New Year's Eve bash offers entertainment in six nightclubs. Featured entertainment includes the band Rhythm City, plus jazz and DJs. One room offers appetizers from 9 to 11 PM and dessert and coffee from midnight to 1:30 AM. Tickets are $99 in advance and $119 at the door; go to www.ticketweb.com.
MARCHE DE SADE PART QUATRE
Marche
833 W. Randolph
312-226-8399
Cosponsored by Feitico Gallery and Mistress Marilyn -- whose last event was "Spanksgiving" -- tonight's fetish-themed dinner will be followed by erotic entertainment. The early seating is $65 and runs from 6 to 7 PM; the late one is $125 and begins at 8, followed by the "Naughty and Not-So-Nice New Year's Eve" celebration at 10 with DJ Scary Lady Sarah. Tickets include a five-course prix fixe menu and champagne toast. Reservations and fetish attire are recommended. For more see www.marche-chicago.com.
MMIII AT THE W'S
W Hotel City Center
172 W. Adams
and
W Hotel Lakeshore
644 N. Lake Shore Dr.
312-421-7672 ext. 22
For a cool $150 ($135 in advance), revelers get access to parties in both hotels. Festivities start at 9 PM and run until 2. Both events feature DJs, live music, and performance art plus an open bar, hors d'oeuvres, champagne at midnight, and dancing. See www.allterrain.net/nye for more.
MYSTIC BLUE NEW YEAR'S EVE CRUISE
Navy Pier
600 E. Grand
877-299-7854
Premier Yachts, which also runs Odyssey Cruises and the Ugly Duck boats, will unveil their newest dinner-cruise boat, the Mystic Blue, tonight. The $150 price tag for the maiden voyage includes hors d'oeuvres, a premium open bar, a DJ, party favors, a midnight champagne toast, and a front-row view of the Navy Pier fireworks display. The ship boards at 8 PM and she sails at 9:30. See www.mysticbluecruises.com.
NAVY PIER FIREWORKS & WINTER WONDERFEST
Navy Pier
600 E. Grand
312-595-5225
This year's addition to Navy Pier's annual family-oriented Winter WonderFest is an extreme-sports section complete with rock-climbing walls, a bungee jump, and an in-line skating track and ten-ramp skate park. The rest of the fest is dominated by hundreds of elaborately decorated trees and a town square. It's open from 10 AM to 11:45 PM (and reopens the next morning at 10). Admission's $10 for the day and also includes access to an indoor ice skating rink, a kiddie train, games, crafts, storytellers, puppet shows, and other live entertainment. As usual, the outdoor skating rink, the Smith Museum of Stained Glass, and the Ferris wheel countdown and midnight fireworks are free.
NEIGHBORS' EVE 2003
Multiple locations
773-268-1356
There's no alcohol, no drugs, and no smoking at this annual Hyde Park-Kenwood event. The $5 tickets ($3 in advance) include refreshments and entertainment at all five participating venues, including a talent show and Shirley King concert at the Saint James United Methodist Church (4661 S. Ellis), a puppet show, concert, and midnight countdown at the Hyde Park Neighborhood Club (5840 S. Kenwood), a folk festival at Rodfei Zedek synagogue (5201 S. Hyde Park), dance lessons at the First Unitarian Church (5650 S. Woodlawn), and jazz at the United Church of Hyde Park (1448 E. 53rd). Trolley service between locations is included in the ticket price; tickets are available at host sites and other neighborhood establishments.
NEW YEAR'S EVE AT THE BATON SHOW LOUNGE
436 N. Clark
312-644-5269
The Baton unveils brand-new drag shows three times a year, debuting one on New Year's Eve, when there are two performances (at 10 PM and 12:30 AM) instead of the usual three. NYE is the only night patrons must buy a ticket in advance, in person, at the box office -- and the only time they can choose their seats, which will remain open until they arrive. The $40 fee for the early show includes splits of champagne; at midnight the lights go out and everyone sings "Auld Lang Syne." "What you do in the dark is your own business," says a spokesperson. The 12:30 AM show is $15.
NEW YEAR'S EVE AT THE HYATT
151 E. Wacker
312-552-2000 or 312-559-1212
The "Red Hot/Ice Blue" New Year's Eve party runs from 9 PM to 2 AM and features DJ Energy Brad in the hotel's Riverside Center and Orchestra 33 in the Grand Ballroom. The $99 ticket ($129 after December 15) includes an open bar, appetizers, party favors, and a champagne toast. The midnight breakfast buffet at All Seasons Cafe runs until 4 and costs $13.95. A room is $99; for an extra $50 you can sleep late and check out by 5.
NEW YEAR'S EVE POWWOW AND TEEN DANCE
American Indian Center
1630 W. Wilson
773-275-5871
This event marks the beginning of the AIC's 50th anniversary, in honor of which the group will unveil an exhibit to commemorate their five decades of powwows. At $4 a head, the family-oriented alcohol- and drug-free party is still one of the best deals in town. It starts at 8 with a potluck dinner, featuring traditional foods such as fry bread. At 9 are exhibition dances and drumming, with lots of chances for audience participation. At midnight there's a "sobriety special" honoring people who have stayed straight arrows. Doors open at 7, and it's $4 for adults, $2 for seniors and children ages 6 to 12 (kids under 5 get in free). A teen dance starts at 8 in the Tribal Hall.
NEW YEAR'S EVE ROCK 'N' ROLL BALL
Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier
600 E. Grand
312-836-4299
This year's lineup includes WXRT mainstays the BoDeans and the Violent Femmes, plus the Nicholas Tremulis Orchestra; DJ Roland will spin rock-based dance music in the Tom Tom Lounge. Tickets are $93 and include ten tickets redeemable at multiple food stations and martini and champagne bars. See www.bigcreekevents.com for more.
NOMENKLATURA NEW YEAR'S EVE
Presidential Towers
555 W. Madison
312-902-4600
This NYE party features two dance floors, one offering hip-hop, house, disco, and alternative music and the other salsa, merengue, bachata, and rock en espanol. It starts at 8 PM at La Margarita restaurant and includes a buffet dinner until 10, an open bar from 10 to 1 AM, and a cash bar from 1 to 2. Tickets are $60; see www.futuramix.com.
ODYSSEY NEW YEAR'S EVE CRUISE
Navy Pier
600 E. Grand
888-957-2322
Dressing to the nines is encouraged on the luxurious Odyssey, which has traditionally offered Chicago's fanciest New Year's Eve cruise. This year the ticket price for one person has dropped to $200 (from $225); for that you get a three-and-a-half-hour cruise, a four-course dinner, live entertainment, and a great view of the midnight pyrotechnics. Boarding starts at 8 PM, and the boat will cruise Lake Michigan from 9 PM until 12:30 AM.
S.A.F.E. NIGHT IN CHICAGO
Multiple locations
312-747-2606
Now in its eighth year, the all-ages S.A.F.E. Night ("safe, alcohol-free, family events" sponsored by the Mayor's Office of Substance Abuse Policy) takes place at numerous churches, YMCAs, parks, and community centers around town. Activities and times vary by location, but all venues will offer entertainment, food, soft drinks, party favors, goodie bags, giveaways, raffle items, and a midnight countdown. See the OSAP's page on the city's Web site at www.ci.chi.il.us for information on specific events.
SECOND CITY
1616 N. Wells
312-337-3992
SECOND CITY E.T.C.
1608 N. Wells
312-337-3992
Second City's main stage features its 88th revue, Thank Heaven It Wasn't 7/11, directed by Joshua Funk, while the smaller Second City E.T.C. presents Curious George Goes to War! directed by Ron West. Each show has two performances, at 7 and 10 PM. Admission is $30; audiences at the late shows can stick around for champagne and cocktails.
SPIRIT OF CHICAGO NEW YEAR'S EVE CRUISE
Navy Pier
600 E. Grand
312-836-7899
Some 10,000 revelers have taken the Spirit of Chicago New Year's Eve cruise over the past 14 years. This year's $149 ticket includes a premium open bar, hors d'oeuvres, dinner, dancing, a DJ, cabaret-style performers, party favors, a balloon drop, a champagne toast, and a view of the fireworks. Plus, you can have your photo taken as you embark. It boards at 8 PM, cruises the lakefront from 9 to 12:30 AM, and docks at 1. For more see www.spiritofchicago.com.
WORLD PEACE MEDITATION
Unity in Chicago
1925 W. Thome
773-973-0007
This annual tradition dates back to 1986 and is meant to promote peace, love, and understanding by linking religions and peaceniks worldwide at noon Greenwich mean time. Unity's free service includes prayers and invocations from a variety of traditions, including Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, and Native American. It starts at 6 AM and will be followed by a continental breakfast; for details see www.unitychicago.org.
ZEN BUDDHIST NEW YEAR'S EVE
Zen Buddhist Temple
1710 W. Cornelia
773-528-8685
Instead of eating, drinking, and blowing horns, the Zen Buddhist Temple's Kindling Light of Wisdom Mind service ushers out the year with a short meditation, chanting, and a candle lighting ceremony. Participants also get an opportunity to write down last year's events on slips of paper that are then burned by the temple in order to clear the mind for the upcoming year. It starts at 8 PM; the requested donation is $10. They'll usher in the new year tomorrow at 11:30 AM; for more go to www.zenbuddhisttemple.org.
Suburbs
DAMON WILLIAMS's NEW YEAR'S EVE COMEDY BASH
Star Plaza Theatre
I-65 and U.S. 30
Merrillville, IN
219-769-6600
South-side native Damon Williams owned a Subway franchise before a friend dared him to take the stage at a comedy open mike and he realized his true calling. He went on to open for the "Original Kings of Comedy" tour and has made several appearances on Showtime at the Apollo and BET's Comic View. He'll be joined at tonight's show by comedians Melanie Comarcho, Tony Scofield, Honest John, Michael Blackson, and Lavell Crawford. It starts at 8 PM and tickets are $40.
FIRST NIGHT EVANSTON
Downtown Evanston
847-289-4248
Now in its tenth year, First Night Evanston features over 250 entertainers on 15 indoor stages as well as free parking and shuttle-bus service. Acts include Las Guitarras de España, Genesis Opera, Dave Herzog's Marionettes, Big Guitars From Memphis, Piven Theatre Young People's Projects, Sons of the Never Wrong, Twang Bang, Wan-Afrika featuring Kwame, and Gloria Thompson Rodgers, as well as storytellers, face painters, and more. It starts at 6 PM with a tenth anniversary celebration and concludes with a countdown to midnight and a sparkling cider toast. Admission buttons good for entry into all the venues are $12 for adults and $8 for children ages 6 to 12; kids 5 and under get in free. For details see www.firstnightevanston.org.
FIRST NIGHT HIGHLAND PARK
Highland Park
847-432-0867
The lineup for Highland Park's inaugural First Night celebration includes the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band, the Midnight Circus, and the Bobby Shiff Trio as well as a caricaturist, a clown, a fortune-teller, and more. There's a free shuttle between the two sites, at Karger Recreation Center, 1850 Green Bay Road, and the Highland Park Community House, 1991 Sheridan. Festivities start at 6 PM, with a midnight finale in Port Clinton Square. Admission is $10, $5 for seniors and kids six to ten years old. See www.cityhpil.com.
NEW YEAR'S EVE FIREWORKS
Century Park
Lakeview and Hawthorn Parkways
Vernon Hills
847-367-3700
This early, kid-friendly fireworks display starts at 7:30 PM. It's free.
NEW YEAR'S EVE SINGLES PARTY
Oak Meadows Country Club
900 Wood Dale Road
Addison
847-604-3446
Doors open at 6:30 PM and the dinner buffet starts at 7:30 at this Chicago Singles Dances-sponsored event -- or you can skip the food and come at 9:30, when the dancing begins. Tickets are $12 to $37 and include party favors and a champagne toast. For more information -- including "Nine Steps to Having Fun at a Singles Dance" -- visit www.thunderbirdsingles.com.
SECOND CITY'S DYSFUNCTIONAL HOLIDAY REVUE
Metropolis Performing Arts Centre
111 Campbell
Arlington Heights
847-577-2121
The $40 ticket to this annual parody of holiday traditions includes champagne, party hats, and noisemakers. Shows are at 6:30 and 10:30 PM.
VOODOO NIGHTCLUB NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY
601 Mall Drive
Schaumburg
847-969-1602
Voodoo offers three New Year's Eve packages. The first is $55 and includes an open bar (from 7 to 9 PM), a buffet, party favors, and guaranteed seats. The $35 package is exactly the same minus the seats. The late-night package costs $15, gets you in at 9, and includes party favors and a midnight countdown. For more go to www.voodooclub.com.
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Though celebrations seem to have become less opulent in recent years, there are plenty of things to do this New Year's Eve, from two downtown fireworks displays and the standard concerts, champagne toasts, and multicourse dinners to events for children as well as teetotalers and other nonconformists. The traditional transportation deals are also in the offing: It costs just a penny to ride the CTA from 9 PM New Year's Eve to 6 AM New Year's Day, a free trolley runs from Navy Pier to the Grand Avenue Red Line stop until 3 AM, and certain Metra trains will run late (call 312-836-7000). For those itching to get behind the wheel, there's free coffee at Illinois Tollway oases. --Cara Jepsen