Five suggestions for New Year's Eve (six, if you count staying home)

To be honest with you, I'm not planning to go out on New Year's Eve. My liquor cabinet is full, which makes it fairly easy for me to fill my house with friends. I don't need to take my chances with Yellow Cab, who recently refused to pick me up at Little Red Studio because they didn't believe it existed. ("Quit making up addresses and wasting our time," the dispatcher growled.) Also, have you played "Rock Band" It's a sheer delight. I can be Rivers Cuomo in the privacy of my own home: My looooove is a heeeart-breakerrrrr.

I've been known to change my mind, however -- particularly when I imagine my friends sucking down all my bourbon and bellowing "Black Hole Sun" into the daylight hours. Luckily, should I have a change of heart, I'll have my choice of dozens of shows, parties, happenings and hootenannies. Here are a few of my favorites.

Hayride to Hell at Highway 99 Blues Club
Three superb local bands converge at a choice local venue, as Highway 99 welcomes Ruby Dee and the Snakehandlers, Roy Kay Trio and the Wages of Sin. Each band brings a different and exciting dish to the potluck. The Snakehandlers serve up sizzling, Bakersfield-style country; the Trio dish out juicy rockabilly; and the Wages pour on the intoxicating sea shanties and "Appalachian Death Polka" like there's no tomorrow. This moveable feast won't stop rolling until 2008, and heaven help you if you ain't on it.

Super Diamond at Showbox SoDo
The premier Neil Diamond tribute band performs at the former, um, Premier. Anyone who's ever capped off a drunken night of karaoke with a soulful rendition of "Sweet Caroline" should appreciate the idea of hearing the song performed, just before or after midnight, by professionals. If you haven't yet checked out a show at the Sodobox, you have one last chance to get a foot in the door before the end of the year. Local party band the Beatniks open the show.

The Black Tie New Year's Eve Masquerade Ball at Neumos
Throughout the year, Neumos brings us a matchless variety of entertainment, and their New Year's Eve program is no exception. Epidemic Music presents Portland-based hard rockers Floater, spacey local band Voyager One and Burning Hearts Burlesque. Good music plus pasties equals bliss. In fact, pretty much anything plus pasties equals bliss. Black-tie wear is encouraged, and your $15 ticket includes a free masquerade mask.

New Year's Eve Party at Little Red Studio
As I said earlier, good luck hailing a cab from 750 Harrison St. ("You sure that's not East Harrison? Are you sure you're not at a Taco Time?") In this case, though, the pain and suffering is worth your while, because the Little Red Studio has one hell of a party planned. Attendees are encouraged to wear 1920s/1930s costumes, and you'll be treated to live dance and aerialist performances, a no-host wine bar by Serafina Restaurant and live music from the wonderful Nasty Habits, Seattle's best and likely only transgender cover band.

Space Needle fireworks
You've got to see the Space Needle fireworks display from close quarters at least once, and perhaps this is the year to do it. The Indulgence New Year's Eve Bash at Experience Music Project -- an event that promises three dance floors, a comedy club, live music by 1970s cover band Hit Explosion, free party favors, everything but eternal life -- is as close to the Needle as the fire department is going to allow you to get. If you prefer a more intimate party to the "Soylent Green"-like crowds that will surely manifest at EMP, however, you may want to consider what other venues have to offer.

Tini Bigs and Hula Hula are offering two-for-one admission to their New Year's Eve revels. The cocktail lounge and tiki bar promise a wild night of dancing and some top-shelf mingling ... and it probably goes without saying that the cocktails will be far superior than those you'll get at EMP.

If you're up for an evening of punk and circumstance, the Funhouse has all you need to wipe the last bitter trace of 2007 from your memory: two DJs spinning punk and New Wave tracks, a champagne toast and a prime fireworks-viewing spot right in the Needle's collapse radius -- all for just five lousy bucks. If you're truly hardcore, you won't bring a hard hat.

Stay home
New Year's Eve falls on Monday this year, so you'll probably want to get out to the liquor store by Sunday, before panicked crowds sweep in and buy up all the infused vodkas and Veuve Clicquot. Here's a list of all the Washington State liquor stores that are open Sunday, a list of sophomoric drinking games and cheat codes for "Rock Band" on the Xbox 360. Happy new year, friends, and please Weezer responsibly.

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