New Year’s Eve Guide to ring in 2006
New Years in Whistler doesn’t have to be expensive with plenty of alternatives to watching the big ball drop in the Big Apple at midnight on the tube.
This year many pubs and restaurants are putting their New Year's resolutions into action before midnight with fantastic live entertainment at reasonable prices. And for those of you with cash to burn, there are also sell-out events with VIP tables and lounges for the red-carpet treatment.
Start the New Year off right and plan ahead, whether attending an event or buying your champagne now for a private midnight soiree for two.
What: Sing in the New Year
Where: Joey Chan’s Chinese Eatery
Rock out 2005 with Karaoke craziness with DJ Steve Jiu from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. Tickets are $35 and includes champagne toast and buffet. A family buffet puts kids to bed early from 5 to 7:30 p.m. with face painting and other kid-related activities. Tickets are $20.
What: Endless Après
Where: Merlin’s
Begin your New Year’s celebrations earlier than anyone else with legendary local duo Guitar Doug and Grateful Greg of the Hairfarmer’s hitting the après stage at 3 p.m. and carrying on all your cover favourites until well past midnight. Cover is free before 5 p.m., $5 thereafter, so get to Whistler’s cheapest New Year’s celebration early.
What: Sweaty Cheddar New Year
Where: Garibaldi Lift Company
Local band Sweaty Cheddar, which includes band members from She Stole My Beer, rocks in the New Year with cover tunes — Def LEPARD classics their favourite. Champagne at midnight. Doors 10 p.m. First 100 tickets are $50, thereafter $60. Call 604-905-2220 to reserve.
What: Garaj Mahal New Year
Where: Boot Pub
Legendary jazz musicians Garaj Mahal fuse funky jazz with tasty world music flare for New Year. Champagne at midnight. Advanced $60 tickets available at the Shoestring Lodge.
What: Multi-Musician New Year
Where: Black’s Pub
Violinist virtuoso Kyla Uyede fiddles out violin with hip-hop and electronica as Kytami along with dance music from Third Eye Tribe, punk from Blackie LeBlanc and The Kytami Revolution and folk tunes from Leanne Lamour. Tickets $50. Doors open at 6 p.m.
What: Jazzed Up 2006
Where: Fifty Two 80 Bistro and Lounge (Four Seasons)
Elegant Jazz chanteuse Lee Aaron has shed her pin-up rocker days of multi-platinum albums and retreated to cool jazz and blues. Show runs 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.
What: Mike Weterings New Year
Where: Crystal Lounge
Two-time West Coast Music Award nominee Mike Weterings blends African influences with trippy pop/rock sounds. Champagne toast and party favours. Tickets $30. Doors 9 p.m.
What: Wild and Funky New Year
Where: Wildwood Restaurant at Tennis Club
Rob Funk and Gary Yoshida play sing-along and original jams for dinner crowd. Second-sitting dinner at 8:30 p.m. includes entertainment until 1 a.m., prime rib and seafood buffet and champagne toast. Tickets are $86.
What: Celtic New Year’s
Where: Dubh Linn Gate
It’s eat, drink and be merry at Whistler’s Irish pub with the Bowen Boys — Rob Thompson, Pete Sinclair and Cam Salay — bringing down the house with all of your toe-tapping favourites and Celtic classics. The ticketed event includes a roast beef dinner, dessert, champagne, party favours and not to mention a rocking good time. Advanced tickets $130.
What: Black and White New Year’s
Where: Tommy Africa’s
It’s top hat and tails, or at least black and white for Tommy’s celebrations with DJ Ryder spinning Top 40 tracks, R&B grinders and house party mixes. Champagne and appetizers at midnight. Doors open 9 p.m. Advanced tickets are $49. Call 604-932-6090.
What: Longhorn New Year’s Eve
Where: Longhorn
DJ Switch will spin in midnight with dancing, appetizers and complimentary champagne from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. The first 150 receive a free disposable camera. Advanced tickets $95.
What: Winter Wonderland 2006
Where: Garfinkel’s
Selling out every year over the last decade, DJ Rob Banks continues to bring his eclectic party beats, hip-hop, dance and Top 40 tracks to New Year’s celebrations. Party favours, treats and champagne included. VIP table reservations and Dom Perignon, bar passes also available at additional cost. General tickets are $100 before Christmas, $115 afterwards and $125 at the door. Doors 9 p.m.
What: Dance 2006
Where: Savage Beagle
Whistler’s own DJ R3 spins Top 40, hip-hop and dance. Party favours, midnight champagne toast and after-midnight snacks included. Table and upstairs lounge reservations also available at additional cost. General tickets $85 before Christmas, $100 afterwards and $115 at the door. Doors 9 p.m.
What: A Black and Silver Affair
Where: Buffalo Bill’s
It’s the red-carpet treatment with Whistler’s DJ Peacefrog on deck with appetizers throughout the evening, a champagne toast and party favours to ring in the New Year. Tickets $150. Call 604-932-6443.
What: Pemberton New Year
Where: Pemberton Legion
Guitarist and vocalist Sue Stearns of Still Smokin’ and Chicks with Picks joins forces with bassist Daddy Don Murray and drummer Steve Oulette for all of your cover favourites with acoustic rock with a twist. Free admission. Everyone welcome. CALL JANICE 2 PM AT LEGION FOR PRICE.
What: Pemberton II New Year
Where: Pemberton Hotel
Chicks in Pajamas play cover rock tunes. Free admission. Business as usual, so bring your own hats and noisemakers.
