Jonathan Butler performs at JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort. photo from userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/_/41446045/Jonathan+Butler+jbut
Whether you're looking for a five-course gourmet meal, an all-out dance party, or just some place to sip a cocktail while bopping around to REM's "It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)," Tucson has you covered. Here's a sampling of local events to ring in the New Year. Cheers!
Arizona Inn
Celebrate with food, champagne and musicians from the Tucson Symphony Orchestra.The "Moveable Musical Feasts" event features a five-course gourmet dinner with music by TSO symphonists and SwingN' the New jazz ensemble. Tickets are $199 per person, all inclusive, and the evening begins at 5:30 p.m. 2200 E. Elm St. Reserve your ticket by visiting TucsonSymphony.org.
Club Congress
Congress celebrates the end of 2011 with an Aztec Apocalypse theme. Witness an Aztec warrior throwing a virgin into the fire at midnight! Live music comes courtesy of 80s and Gentlemen, drumming from Odaiko Sonora, and dancing in the club. $100 VIP tickets include open bar and food. $20 advance, $25 day of show. 21 . 311 E. Congress St. Info at HotelCongress.com.
JW Mariot Starr Pas Resort and Spa
The Tucson Jazz Society hosts its 6th Annual New Year's Eve Spectacular at Starr Pass with Euge Groove and Jonathan Butler, starting at 7:15 p.m. Tickets include dinner, dancing and a midnight toast. Tickets range from $199-$259. 3800 W. Starr Pass Blvd. For tickets, visit TucsonJazz.org.
La Cocina at Old Town Artisans
Get your dance on at La Cocina, with DJ Ektratek, DJ B-Rad and DJ Herm spinning all night long in both the cantina and the lounge. Watch the ball drop at midnight with a champagne and Miller High Life toast. $15 in advance, $20 day of, doors at 8 p.m. 21 . 201 N. Court Ave. Find out more at LaCocinaTucson.com.
Loew's Ventana Canyon Resort
This party, hosted by Tucson Young Professionals, is themed RESOLUTION, encouraging attendees to: Rock the red carpet, flash a smile for your personal paparazzi, and get ready to party to the dueling DJ beat. Tickets include: Ice Bar Cocktails with Martini Luge, hors d'oeuvres, delicious desserts, dueling DJ and VJ show with DJ Soo & DJ M, live Moulin Rouge style show, silhouetted shadow dancers & much more! The party runs from 8 p.m.-2 a.m. at 7000 N. Resort Dr. Tickets are $100-$125 for VIP. Click here for the run down.
Plush
Plush hosts the Blind Divine Five CD Release and Masquerade Party! The line up includes Ensphere and HairSprayFireAndGirls. It kicks off at 9pm, for the low-low price of $8 or $6 for those in costume. 340 E. 6th St. PlushTucson.com
Rialto Theatre
The Rialto Theatre plans to help you Mambo your way into 2012 with Sergio Mendoza y La Orkestra's Viva Mexico New Year. $20 advance, $25 day of the show, $40 VIP reserved seating. 18 & over, doors at 7 p.m. 318 E. Congress St. Details at RialtoTheatre.com.
Westward Look Resort
For dinner and dancing, head to Westward Look, where their restaurant Gold shall offer a three-course, prix-fixe menu and dancing in the Sonoran Ballroom to live music by East to West for $85. If you're just there to dance, cover is $25. 245 E. Ina Rd. Visit WestwardLook.com for details.
New Year's Eve-Eve
If New Year's Eve crowds aren't your thing, why not celebrate a wee bit early? With events happening on New Year's Eve-Eve, December 30, there's still chances for you to celebrate without dealing with the hoopla and madness that comes as the clock ticks down.
The Meat Puppets at Club Congress
Doors open at 8 p.m.; tickets are $13 advance or $15
day of the show. 21 & over.
KXCI will roast and toast four long-time deejays in a fundraising event at the Temple of Music and Art, 330 S. Scott Ave., starting at 7 p.m. Milo Solujic, host of The Bluegrass Show, Carol "Ruby" Anderson, host of Ruby's Roadhouse, Kidd Squidd, host of Kidd Squidd's Mystery Jukebox and Marty Kool, host of The Blues Review, will all be in the hot seat, held in the tradition of the Dean Martin celebrity toasts of the 70s and 80s. The night includes live music from local talent recommended by the roastees, including: Stefan George and Tom Walbank, Way Out West, Los Hombres, and an a capella set from The Titan Valley Warheads. Advance tickets are $8 for KXCI members and $10 for the general public. Reserve your ticket or get more information at KXCI.org.
The following businesses didn't have information available as of press time, but they assured us they'll definitely be hosting events to bring in the New Year.
Mr. Head's Art Gallery & Bar, 513 N. 4th Ave. 792-2710
Westin La Paloma, 3800 E. Sunrise Dr. 742-6000 or visit WestinLaPalomaResort.com
Sky Bar, 536 N. 4th Ave. 622-4300, SkyBarTucson.com
Zen Rock, 121 E. Congress St. 306-8116, ZenRockTucson.com
Sapphire, 61 E. Congress St. 306-8116, SapphireTucson.com
