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Ring in new year with fun

There are plenty of ways to ring in the new year. Here are some highlights.

By Times Staff Writer
Published December 30, 2005

Whatever your celebrating style - a kid-friendly outing, a cultural event or a full-out party - there's a lot to do this New Year's Eve. Here are some highlights of the local offerings.

FIRST NIGHT ST. PETERSBURG: MidDay at Midtown, 2-5 p.m. at five venues on 22nd St. S. First Kids activities begin 3:30 p.m. at the Arts Center, 719 Central Avenue. Evening activities scheduled 5 p.m.-midnight at 35 downtown venues. Fireworks at 8:30 p.m. and midnight on the waterfront. Admission buttons $10 adults, $5 ages 6-12. 727 823-8906, www.firstnightstpete.com

NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY WITH THE BARENAKED LADIES: 8:30 p.m. St. Pete Times Forum, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa. $26.75-$61.75. All-inclusive party package $150. 813 301-2500 or Ticketmaster; www.stpetetimesforum.com

CARNIVALE AT CENTRO YBOR: Final day for family-friendly event with holiday music and street performers. Starts noon Centro Ybor, 1600 E Eighth Avenue, Ybor City. Free. (813) 242-4660.

NOON YEAR'S EVE: Lowry Park Zoo and Radio Disney celebration. 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at zoo, 1101 W Sligh Ave., Tampa. $14.95, $13.95 seniors, $10.50 ages 3-11. 813 935-8552, www.lowryparkzoo.com

TECO ENERGY PARADE AND OUTBACK BOWL BAND BLAST: Parade steps off 5:30 p.m. and moves along Seventh Avenue in Ybor City. Pep rally follows. Free. (813) 874-2695.

WMNF NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY: With Donna the Buffalo. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. The Coliseum, 535 Fourth Ave. N, St. Petersburg. $45. (727) 892-5202.

SALUTE TO VIENNA: 8 p.m., Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater. $39-$45. 727 791-7400, www.rutheckerdhall.com

LIGHT UP TAMPA BAY: Channelside in Tampa celebrates with entertainment beginning at 9 p.m. and fireworks and ball drop at midnight. (813) 223-4250. Free.

FLORIDA AQUARIUM NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY: 9 p.m.-1 a.m. 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa. $90. 813 273-4568, www.flaquarium.org

SWING INTO THE NEW YEAR: Celebration and swing dance. Lesson, 8-9 p.m., dance 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Gulfport Casino, 5500 Shore Blvd. $15. (813) 274-4950 or (727) 893-1070.

LEWIS BLACK: 7:30 and 10 p.m. Improv Comedy Theater, 1600 E Eighth Ave., Ybor City. $70. (813) 864-4000.

SISTER HAZEL: 8 p.m. Jannus Landing, 16 Second St. N, St. Petersburg. $24.99-$30 show only, $49.99 party package. (727) 896-2276.

RING IN THE NEW YEAR GALA: With Eric Darius, Karen Briggs and Nadia Darius. 6:30 p.m. Hyatt Regency Downtown Tampa, 211 N Tampa St. $100. (813) 287-8844 or (727) 898-2100.

SKIPPER'S NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY: 8 p.m. Skipper's Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road, Tampa. $30. (813) 977-6474.

STORMAN'S NIGHTCLUB: With dancers, fire breathers and DJs. $20-$100. 2675 Ulmerton Road, St. Petersburg. 727 571-2202, ext. 2675, or www.stormansnightclub.com

SUNCOAST RESORT: With drag queens, male go-go dancers, fireworks over the courtyard at midnight and breakfast at 1 a.m. $10 after 8 p.m.; dinner $29.99. 3000 34th St. S, St. Petersburg. 727 867-1111 or www.suncoastresort.com

SEMINOLE HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO: Naughty New Year's Party by the pool with entertainment, food and more, $50. For $90, you can get into that party plus the West Coast Toast at Floyd's at 2 a.m. hosted by Playboy's Miss May 2005 and featuring DJ Diamond. That runs all night. Orient Road and Interstate 4. 813 287-8844 or (727) 898-2100 or www.ticketmaster.com

NEW YEAR'S EVE MUSIC AND DANCE PARTY: With Bill Haley's Comets, others. 7:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Playmakers Sports Bar and Grill, 10637 117th Drive N, Largo. $75 single/$140 couple (dinner, show). (727) 399-2707.

NEW YEAR'S COMEDY EVE SHOW: Jay Hewlett, James Vernon, Steve Moore, Steve Arik and Mike McCarthy, 8 p.m. Coconuts Comedy Club at Cinema Cafe, 24095 U.S. 19 N, Clearwater. Cover varies. 727 797-5653 or www.coconutscomedyclubs.com

FRANKIE PAUL: With Stewart Huff and Bobby Jewell, 7:30 p.m. $15. Also, New Year's Eve Gala, 10:30 p.m. $55. Side Splitters, at Cascades Plaza, 12938 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa. RSVP 813 960-1197, www.sidesplitterscomedy.com

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL'S VAREKAI: Final shows. 1 and 5 p.m. under Grand Chapiteau in parking lot of Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg. $24.50-$70. Toll-free 1-800-678-5440 or www.cirquedusoleil.com

LORD OF THE DANCE: 2 and 8 p.m. Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa. $40-$60. New Year's Eve party follows performance, $45. RSVP 813 229-7827 or www.tbpac.org

[Last modified December 30, 2005, 15:00:24]