Happy New Year's Eve festivities
On both sides of the bay there will be booms, bubbles, bands and plenty of fun for families.
By SHARON KENNEDY WYNNE, Times Staff Writer
Published December 27, 2007
That'll do 2007, that'll do. Time to trot out a shiny new year and leave the mistakes of the old behind.
You can set your bad habits on fire at First Night, the family-friendly New Year's Eve celebration in downtown St. Petersburg. In Tampa, fireworks shows will light up the sky over the bay. Throughout the area, nightclubs, comedy clubs and musical stages will be hopping Monday.
For First Night, nautical artists Robert Stackhouse and Carol Mickett designed a 24-foot boat on which revelers can scribble New Year's resolutions.
Shortly before midnight, the boat will be set adrift and then ablaze in a sort of Viking funeral for bad habits.
"There seems to be a connection to fire symbolically at New Year's," said Pat Mason, First Night executive director, "because fire is energy and that energy is released and it goes into the universe."
The alcohol-free celebration begins at 4 p.m. Monday with activities and concerts at 25 venues throughout downtown. Within a few easy-walking blocks you can find music, dance, storytelling, theater, puppetry, star-gazing and lots of kids' activities.
The early fireworks show fell to city budget cuts, but there is a midnight show. For minor explosions, don't miss the Bubble Stomp at 8 p.m. when a huge sheet of bubble wrap is laid on the street at Central Avenue and Seventh Street.
Admission buttons -- $10 for adults, $5 for ages 6 to 12 -- will get you into all activities. For maps, schedules and ticket outlets, see www.firstnightstpete.com or call (727) 823-8906.
Here's a look at other happenings around the bay area:
MUSIC
- WMNF New Year's Eve Bash: Trombone Shorty, the New Orleans prodigy who blew the crowd away at last year's Tropical Heatwave, is bringing his band, Orleans Avenue, to the Coliseum. This 21-year-old has been hailed as one of the most exciting new musicians to come out of the bayou in a long time. The show is at 9 p.m. at the Coliseum, 535 Fourth Ave. N, St. Petersburg. $35 advance, $45 at the door. (813) 238-8001 or (727) 892-5202.
- Stevie B: The Cuban singer and songwriter remains very popular on the club scene, probably because he puts on a heck of a show, blending Latin freestyle and Miami dance music. He's best known for his 1990 hit Because I Love You (The Postman Song). You can see him when he hosts the 9 p.m.-to-2 a.m. party in the Grand Ballroom at Marriott Tampa Waterside Hotel and Marina, Tampa. $75-$125. (727) 698-0660.
- Bobby Lee Rodgers and the Codetalkers: 9 p.m. Dunedin Brewery, Dunedin. $25 advance, $30 day of show. (727) 736-0606.
- Dave Matthews Tribute Band: New Year's Eve party, starting at 8 p.m. The Tamiami Club at Jannus Landing, St. Petersburg. $17.50 advance, $22 day of show. (727) 896-2276.
- St. Petersburg Opera Company: New Year's Eve event with highlights from Donizetti's comic opera, Elixir of Love, presented with set, costumes and piano by members of the Emerging Artists Program. 7:30 p.m. Palladium Theater, St. Petersburg. $15-$30. (727) 822-3590.
- Uncle John's Band: Grateful Dead tribute band at 8 p.m. Skipper's Smokehouse, Tampa. $25 advance, $30 door. (813) 971-0666.
- New Year's Eve in Orlando: Featuring Trick Daddy, Foreigner, the B-52's and Classic Albums Live. At Universal Studios Citywalk (www.citywalk.com), '80s stalwarts Foreigner and the B-52's start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $119 and up. If you're in the mood for something a little less ostentatious, at Club Firestone (www.clubatfirestone.com) Miami's Trick Daddy will count down to 2008; tickets start at $25. And at Hard Rock Live (www.hardrocklive.com) there's a chance to experience one of the popular "Classic Albums Live" concerts of Led Zeppelin II and IV.
- Jackson's at Harbour Island: Tickets start at $45 for a pretty-people party that includes a good view of the fireworks over Tampa Bay, sounds and DJs, from Top 40 to Miami-style house music, and choreographed shows. 601 S Harbour Island Blvd. (813) 265-1234
- Naughty New Year's: Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, 5223 N Orient Road, Tampa, will have a buffet with champagne, a dessert bar, sushi bar and chocolate fountain.Entertainment includes an aquatic mermaid display and music by DJ Rockstar, a Maxim Magazine Tour DJ. Tickets are $75 at Ticketmaster.
- The Castle: Ybor's Goth gathering place has a fractured fairy tales theme for its party, titled "Every Story Has an End." Costumes are encouraged, but then, that's always the case here. It's at 2004 N 16th St. in Ybor City. (813) 247-7547.
- The Dallas Bull: Hotties in tight jeans and cowboy hats will take in the newly expanded dance floors and a concert by the Bellamy Brothers (Let Your Love Flow). Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. 3322 U.S. 301 N, Tampa, (813) 987-2855. The VIP package includes a room at the Hilton Garden Inn, VIP seating, food and transportation to and from the hotel for $250 per couple.
- Improv: Last Comic Standing alum Todd Glass will host a New Year's Eve dinner and show at the Improv in Centro Ybor that includes a three-course meal, champagne and a comedy show. Tickets are $45 per person or $80 per couple at 1600 E Eighth Ave., Tampa. (813) 864-4000; www.tampaimprov.com.
- Busch Gardens: The theme park will have special shows and fireworks at midnight. It’s $10 if you have an Outback Bowl ticket. Regular admission applies otherwise. www.buschgardens.com.
AROUND THE BAY
- Light up Tampa Bay: Tennessee and Wisconsin fans in town for the Outback Bowl will find live entertainment in the courtyard of Tampa's Channelside district's courtyard, starting at 8 p.m. with a fireworks show over the bay and a ball drop at midnight.
- 'Noon' Year's Eve: Lowry Park Zoo counts down to noon with at this family-style celebration that includes Radio Disney, entertainment, games and crafts. Included in admission, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m., 1101 W Sligh Ave., Tampa. $16.95, $15.95 seniors, $12.50 ages 3-11. (813) 935-8552. www.lowryparkzoo.com.
- Aqua-Eve: Get a good view of the Channelside fireworks from the Florida Aquarium in Tampa, where there will be entertainment, food, beer, wine and a champagne toast. Adults only. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa. $80-$100. (813) 273-4030.
- 13 Ugly Men Resolution Ball: The dress code is "Vegas spectacular," and there will DJs, showgirls, shadow dancers, fortune tellers and a live video feed to Times Square at the Renaissance Hotel International Plaza in Tampa. Heavy hors d'oeuvres, open bar, dancing, a champagne toast at midnight and breakfast buffet after midnight cost $125 for women, $175 for men at www.13uglymen.com. The party benefits the Children's Dream Fund and includes a chance to win a $10,000 diamond.
- Swing into the New Year: The swing dance party by Swing Time! includes an art exhibit, champagne toast and party favors. Vintage costumes are optional. Introductory swing dance lesson, 8-9 p.m. Dance, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Gulfport Casino, 5500 Shore Blvd. S, Gulfport. $15. (813) 274-4950 or (727) 893-1070.
- New Year's Eve Extravaganza: A black-tie celebration by Caribbean Cultural Association with dinner by Christine's Caribbean Cuisine, dancing and champagne starts at 9 p.m. at the West Tampa Convention Center, 3005 W Columbus Drive, Tampa. $50. (813) 319-3951.