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.
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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.
WHEN: 9 p.m.
WHERE: Geno’s Rock Club, 625 Congress St., Portland
HOW MUCH: TBA
INFO: 221-2382
COMEDY
• BOB MARLEY HOLIDAY SHOW
Laugh your way into the new year with Maine’s favorite comedian, who will be joined on stage by Krazy Jake.
WHEN: 8 p.m.
WHERE: Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St., Portland
HOW MUCH: $47.50
INFO: porttix.com
DANCE PARTIES
• NEW YEAR’S EVE AT ASYLUM
Two parties in one. Upstairs, you can dance to Dirty White Hats and Cam Groves, and sing karaoke with DJ Johnny Red. Downstairs, party to ’80s music all night with Rob from WCYY.
WHEN: Doors at 8 p.m.
WHERE: Asylum, 121 Center St., Portland
HOW MUCH: $7; 21-plus
INFO: portlandasylum.com
• MARTYPARTY WITH OF THE TREES
Electronic dance music fans can groove into the new year with the musically diverse tunes of South African-born Brooklyn native MartyParty.
WHEN: 9 p.m.
WHERE: Port City Music Hall, 504 Congress St., Portland
HOW MUCH: $20; $35 VIP; 18-plus
INFO: portcitymusichall.com
• 15TH ANNUAL NEW YEAR’S EXTRAVAGANZA CONTRA DANCE
Dance the night away with callers Maggie Robinson, Richard Green and Kim Roberts, and musicians Baron Collins-Hill, Jessie Boardman and Greg Boardman.
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. potluck; 8:30 p.m. dance
WHERE: Wescustogo Grange Hall, Route 115, North Yarmouth
HOW MUCH: $12; $10 for seniors
INFO: 712-2837
OUT OF THE ORDINARY
• NEW YEAR’S EVE WITH SUPER LUCHA EXPLOSIVA
Few New Year’s Eve throw-downs offer the chance to wear party dresses while watching Mexican wrestling and dancing to DJs, but Space heads for new heights with this bash.
WHEN: 8 p.m.
WHERE: Space Gallery, 538 Congress St., Portland
HOW MUCH: $20; 21-plus
INFO: space538.org
• NEW YEAR’S EVE AT THE PLANETARIUM
Watch skydome shows introduced in 2012, including “The Little Star That Could” and “Eight Planets and Counting,” plus three more shows, a Night Sky Tour and the Times Square countdown.
WHEN: 7 p.m. to midnight
WHERE: University of Southern Maine Southworth Planetarium, 96 Falmouth St., Portland
HOW MUCH: $7 to $10/donation
INFO: usm.maine.edu/planet
• NATURAL RESOURCES COUNCIL OF MAINE POLAR BEAR PLUNGE AND 5K RACE
Work up a sweat in the 5K run/walk, then cool way down with an icy plunge into Casco Bay. All your sweating and shivering supports NRCM’s work to reduce global warming pollution.
WHEN: 11 a.m. 5K; noon plunge
WHERE: East End Beach, Portland
HOW MUCH: $30
INFO: nrcm.kintera.org/dipdash
• PHYZGIG VAUDEVILLE SHOW
Jugglers, magicians, illusionists and storytellers provide a thrilling, all-ages way to celebrate the new year in this annual production.
WHEN: 2 and 7 p.m.
WHERE: Portland Stage Company, 25A Forest Ave.
HOW MUCH: $10 to $20
INFO: www.phyzgig.org
• NEW YEAR’S EVE WITH THE PIRATES
Celebrate the new year by watching the Portland Pirates, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Phoenix Coyotes, face off against the Worcester Sharks. Stick around after the game for an indoor fireworks display.
WHEN: 5:30 p.m.
WHERE: Cumberland County Civic Center, 1 Free St., Portland
HOW MUCH: $16 to $20
INFO: portlandpirates.com
TOWN FESTIVALS
• LAST BLAST AT OOB
Ring in the new year at the ultimate beach party, with marshmallow toasting pits, bonfires, hot cocoa and fireworks at 6:30 p.m. Bars and restaurants offer discounts to those who purchase buttons.
WHEN: Begins at 4:30 p.m.
WHERE: Throughout Old Orchard Beach
HOW MUCH: Free; buttons cost $10
INFO: oob365.com
• NEW YEAR’S EVE GORHAM
Celebrate 2013 with other families at a variety of community events and performances, including a snow-sculpting contest, concerts, puppet shows, drum circles and fireworks at 10 p.m.
WHEN: Noon to 10 p.m.
WHERE: Throughout Gorham
HOW MUCH: $5 buttons provide admission to all events
INFO: newyeargorham.org
• NEW YEAR’S EVE FREEPORT
Join a family festival featuring children’s crafts and performances by Elizabeth Mitchell, Norman Ng and Rick Charette, capped off by a fireworks show and hot cocoa toast at 6 p.m.
WHEN: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
WHERE: L.L. Bean campus, Freeport
HOW MUCH: Free
INFO: freeportusa.com/events
Staff Writer Avery Yale Kamila can be contacted at 791-6297 or at:
akamila@pressherald.com
Twitter: AveryYaleKamila
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