Maine news, sports, weather from Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram, Portland, Maine

December 31, 2012

New Year's Eve celebrations in Portland and southern Maine

Ring it in your way on New Year's Eve with music, comedy, dance parties and more.

By Avery Yale Kamila akamila@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer

Don't sit idly by while 2012 gives way to the exciting unknown of 2013. No matter what you're looking for, the Greater Portland area likely serves up an event to suit your New Year's Eve style.

From concerts and dances to polar plunges and Mexican wrestling, this year's offering of New Year's Eve events is truly diverse. Bob Marley will be yucking it up at Merrill Auditorium, moe. and Peter Wolf will rock until midnight and beyond, and Old Orchard Beach, Gorham and Freeport will host family-friendly celebrations with fireworks.

So whether you prefer to be inside or out, head home early or party until the wee hours of the morning, here are 20 events to help you plan your New Year's celebration.

CONCERTS

• NEW YEAR'S WITH MOE.

Groove into the new year with this favorite on the jam-band circuit and festival scene. Moe. will perform for two nights -- Sunday and Monday -- if you want your New Year's celebration to be especially long. Assembly of Dust opens.

WHEN: 8 p.m. Sunday and Monday

WHERE: State Theatre, 609 Congress St., Portland

HOW MUCH: $35 in advance; $40 day of show

INFO: statetheatreportland.com

• "A CADDYSHACK NEW YEAR'S EVE WITH THE AWESOME"

You'll get nothing, and like it! Actually, you'll get a lot at this event, which combines '80s music, bowling and the cult classic movie "Caddyshack." Tease your hair, throw on your Member's Only jacket and walk like an Egyptian into 2013. Bowling available for $20.12 an hour.

WHEN: 8 p.m.

WHERE: Bayside Bowl, 58 Alder St., Portland

HOW MUCH: $25

INFO: baysidebowl.com

• NEW YEAR'S BALL AND SAMFUND BENEFIT

Dance to local funk bands Sly-Chi and Model Airplane, and enjoy a Champagne toast at midnight. A portion of the proceeds will go to the SAMFund for young adult cancer survivors.

WHEN: 8 p.m.

WHERE: Big Easy, 55 Market St., Portland

HOW MUCH: $25 in advance; $30 day of show

INFO: bigeasyportland.com

• NEW YEAR'S EVE WITH PETER WOLF

Rock into 2013 with the legendary singer of The J. Geils Band while enjoying a night of dining and drink. Wolf will be joined onstage by Duke Levine and Kevin Barry on guitars.

WHEN: Dinner seating begins at 6 p.m.; show starts at 8 p.m.

WHERE: Stone Mountain Arts Center, 695 Dugway Road, Brownfield

HOW MUCH: $85

INFO: stonemountainartscenter.com

• NEW YEAR'S EVE CLASH OF THE DECADES

Local bands battle for the best decade. Will it be the '80s, '90s or '00s? Be there to ring in the new year and find out.

WHEN: 8 p.m.

WHERE: Empire Dine and Dance, 575 Congress St., Portland

HOW MUCH: $15; 21-plus

INFO: portlandempire.com

• CKMSTR NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY

Join a party that celebrates gay rights and new creations with a long line-up of musicians, plus go-go dancers and racy video projections.

WHEN: 9 p.m.

WHERE: Slainte, 24 Preble St., Portland

HOW MUCH: Free; 21-plus

INFO: slaintewinebar.com

• TOMMY O'CONNELL AND THE JUKE JOINT DEVILS

This hard-driving blues and swing band is sure to get the crowd fired up and dancing.

WHEN: 9 p.m.

WHERE: Gingko Blue, 455 Fore St., Portland

HOW MUCH: Free

INFO: gingkoblue.com

• ROCKIN' NEW YEAR'S EVE

Details are sketchy about this one, with only one act -- the hard-rock band Coalsax in Crux -- announced by press time, but Geno's promises much more on its Facebook page. And Geno's does like to rock hard, so if you like loud music, this is for you.

(Continued on page 2)

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