New Year's Eve: The Clock's Ticking

By Lavanya Ramanathan
Thursday, December 13, 2007

With ticket prices climbing as you're reading this, perhaps it's time to decide what you're doing this New Year's Eve, whether it involves tux rental and a kiss at midnight, or family and fireworks. Just some of the events:

¿ You're young and looking to party, and money is no object. It's a return engagement for Mad Mad Masquerade, a bash thrown by the local Irish band Scythian at the old Carnegie Library building near Chinatown (it's Metro-accessible, too). The dressy affair features performances by '80s cover band the Reflex, illusionist Magic Nick, jazz band Yomamanem and Scythian, and open bar all night. And since it's a masquerade, you'll need a mask. The deadline to buy early bird $125 tickets is Saturday night (tickets then climb to $135, then $149). 21 and older only. 9 p.m. 801 K St. NW. 800-595-4849 or http://www.scythianmusic.com/NewYears2007.

The Walter E. Washington Convention Center's Grand Ballroom is where some 5,000 other attendees will party at the Downtown Countdown, which includes host Elliot Segal of "Elliot in the Morning," open bar for five hours, a dinner buffet and performances by Naughty by Nature, Washington Social Club and others. Dress is "funky" (read hip) formal. Tickets are $139, and subject to increase. 21 and older only. 8:30 p.m. 801 Mount Vernon Pl. NW. For tickets, 202-397-7328. For information, visit http://www.downtowncountdown.net or call 301-652-7712.

¿ You'd skip a buffet and open bar for a good dance floor and beautiful people any day. At the Black Cat, it's the annual New Year's Eve Ball with Peaches O'Dell and Her Orchestra performing glam swing and exotic rumbas, which, yes, is highly unusual for this stage. The ticket includes DJ sets on the Backstage, but don't expect party favors or anything. Dress: Like yourself, but maybe with a few feathers. $20 in advance (at the Cat, 202-667-7960, or through Ticketmaster); $25 at the door. 9:30 p.m. 1811 14th St. NW. 202-397-7328.

¿ You've got a family. You just want fireworks, a countdown and maybe that kiss. Venues across the Potomac (galleries, schools, shops) stay open late and host music, storytelling and dance at First Night Alexandria, which ends with a fireworks display at midnight at the George Washington Masonic Memorial (101 Callahan Dr., Alexandria). Dress: Warm. $10 before Dec. 25; $15 thereafter; children 12 and younger, free. 5 p.m. For details and tickets, visit http://www.firstnightalexandria.org. For information, call 703-838-4200, Ext. 210.

Save the Date

CONCERT: A Second Chance to See Van Halen It was a sold-out spectacle at Verizon Center last month when three of the original members of Van Halen reunited (the craggy-voiced David Lee Roth being the biggest draw), and were joined by Eddie Van Halen's son on bass and none other than Valerie Bertinelli in the crowd. If you didn't get tickets then, here's another opportunity: The band returns to the region for a show at Baltimore's First Mariner Arena on March 9. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. tomorrrow though Ticketmaster. $49.50-$125. First Mariner Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St. 202-397-7328.

ON STAGE: Dave Barry His book-signings in town last summer drew tons of people, but did anyone really get any quality time with the Florida funnyman? Early next year, Barry, a longtime humor columnist who writes the hilarious "holiday gift guide" each year, will visit Lisner Auditorium on Feb. 6 for a whole "Evening With Dave Barry." He's just published a book, "History of the Millennium (So Far)." $27-$125; there's a limited number of $21.60 tickets available to George Washington University students, at the Lisner box office (202-994-6800). 8 p.m. 730 21st St. NW. 202-397-7328.

THE SCENE: An "American Conversation" With Barbara Bush Next month, the National Archives brings in the former first lady for a discussion about her life, her time in the White House and her causes. The talk, led by Archivist of the United States Allen Weinstein, is part of the series that has hosted Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Lynne Cheney. Bush visits on Jan. 25. Free. 4 p.m. William G. McGowan Theater, Constitution Avenue between Seventh and Ninth streets NW. 202-357-5000.

The District

Today

ON STAGE: "Monty Python's Spamalot" Having seen this giddy and well-staged little farce (which recombines jokes from the Python oeuvre, including "Monty Python and the Holy Grail"), we can attest: Take your boyfriend, take your kid, take anyone you know with a sense of humor and no appetite at all for theater. Because this musical is funny, and light on the qualities that can make musicals mind-numbing. $46.50-$176.50. 8 p.m. tonight, various times through Jan. 6. National Theatre, 1321 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. 800-447-7400. (See review, C5.)

THE HOLIDAYS: A Snowy Night of Classics The National Symphony Orchestra and conductor Marvin Hamlisch return to the Kennedy Center for several nights of the seasonal show "Happy Holidays." Expect the new tune "Chanukah Lights" as well as some of the theme songs of the season: "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" and "Ave Maria." Word is that it will also "snow" inside the KenCen. $20-$85. Tonight at 7, tomorrow at 8 p.m., Sunday at 7 p.m. (Saturday is sold out.) Kennedy Center Concert Hall, 2700 F St. NW. 202-467-4600.

CONCERT: Parisian Jazz L'Alliance Francaise is one of the presenters of tonight's concert by the quartet Dupont T (no relation to Dupont Circle). The group, led by Hubert Dupont on double bass, also features Rudresh Mahanthappa playing alto sax. $20; Alliance members, $15. Tonight at 9 and 11 p.m. Twins Jazz, 1344 U St. NW. 202-234-7911 or http://www.twinsjazz.com for reservations.

Tomorrow

THE SCENE: Dance with the Crystal Method It makes sense for the bass-heavy Los Angeles electronica duo to do it up at a nightclub, where you can actually dance (you know, rather than at the Virgin Festival, where they performed last time they were in the area). Take note: Ken Jordan and Scott Kirkland play a DJ set tomorrow at Fur Nightclub. $20 in advance. 9 p.m. 33 Patterson St. NE. Tickets at http://www.groovetickets.com.

Maryland

Today

ON STAGE: "Fiddler on the Roof" The musical story of the simple milkman Tevye, who struggles when his daughters' choices in love challenge his Jewish values and old ways, continues at Olney Theatre Center through Jan. 6. $25-$46; ages 18 and younger are half price. 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Rd., Olney. 301-924-3400.

Saturday

EXHIBIT: Open Studios in Takoma Park Artists will welcome guests to their private work spaces for the second annual Open Studio Tour and Holiday Art Sale on Saturday, with a market at Takoma Park Community Center, 7500 Maple Ave. in Takoma Park, and exhibition at ASalon, 6925 Willow St. NW. In all, more than 70 artists will show their work. Free. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. various locations; for a map, visit http://www.takomaparkmd.gov/documents/studiotour.pdf.

FOR KIDS: Twice the Tale Imagination Stage's latest children's production is "Twice Upon a Time," a double bill that features "The Lorax," a piece cut from "Seussical" before the musical reached Broadway, followed by a contemporary take on Hans Christian Andersen's "The Emperor's New Clothes." The plays, tied together by a common message of empowerment, continue through Jan. 13. $10-$20. Imagination Stage, 4908 Auburn Ave., Bethesda. 301-280-1660.

Northern Virginia

Today

EXHIBIT: "Molded Earth: Contemporary Ceramics" Tonight is the regular monthly Art Night at the Torpedo Factory, where galleries and studios, along with activities, are in full gear, in many cases till 9. At Target Gallery, catch "Molded Earth," a show of contemporary ceramics that are definitely not your mother's teacups. The curator, Judith Weisman, gives a talk at 7 p.m. Free. 6:30-8 p.m. Torpedo Factory Art Center, Target Gallery, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria. Free. 703-838-4565, Ext. 4.

CONCERT: The Santa Jam The 11th edition of the annual benefit show is tonight at the State Theatre, with Mary Ann Redmond Band, Tom Principato Band (whose bassist, John Perry, launched the Jam), Generation Vinyl, Soul Gravity and many others. Fairfax County Women's Shelters, Northern Virginia Shelters, Doorways and the guests who stay there receive proceeds from the show. Organizers ask that audience members bring an unwrapped present for a child. $10. 8 p.m. 220 N. Washington St., Falls Church. Visit http://www.thestatetheatre.com for tickets, or call 703-237-0300.

Saturday

CONCERT: That Holiday Swing Two jazz bands, the Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra and the Capitol Bones Big Band, team up to perform "A Stan Kenton Christmas," a show of swinging holiday music that includes classic Kenton tunes as well as a very grown-up version of "The Little Drummer Boy" (called, of course, "Big Bad Drummin' Dude"). $20-$40; ages 12 and younger, half price. 8 p.m. George Mason University Center for the Arts, 4400 University Dr., Fairfax. 888-945-2468.