You'll find New Year's Eve in Baltimore anchored again at the Inner Harbor, where the big celebration is being billed as the "Ports America New Year's Eve Spectacular." It all begins at 9 p.m. in and around the Inner Harbor Amphitheater on Dec. 31 and continues on until the last rocket's red glare fades away sometime around 12:30 a.m.

This year musical headliners will be Baltimore favorites the All Mighty Senators, who will go on at 9 p.m. The other fireworks display of note will start at midnight, again courtesy of Zambelli Fireworks Internationale. Admission is free. For information, call 1-877-BALTIMORE or go to www.promotionandarts.com.

The Maryland Science Center (601 Light St.) will offer a family-friendly alternative New Year's Eve celebration earlier in the day called "Midnight Noon." The activities run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and include performances by the children's band Milkshake (11:30 a.m.), a countdown to noon and a "ball drop," followed by a show by the Blue Sky Puppet Theater. All events are free with paid admission. Call 410-685-5225.

The annual Big Night Baltimore again will be spread across multiple fronts at the new Hilton Baltimore (401 W. Pratt St.) from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. This over-21 event requires stylish dress and will feature music by local favorites Fools & Horses, Jimmie's Chicken Shack and Hotspur. For tickets, which run $99-$169, go to www.bignightbaltimore.com.

A closer view of the fireworks is afforded from the deck of the USS Constellation (301 E. Pratt St.), where the seventh annual New Year's Eve party will be held 10 p.m.-1 a.m. On the bill will be a special menu by Charles Levine Caterers, plus tours of the boat and cannon firings. Tickets run $75 general, $25 for children; reservations are required. Call 410-539-1797.

Centerstage will be singing in the new year with live jazz standards by the Quiet Duo immediately after the Dec. 31 performance of "Caroline, or Change." Theatergoers can also enjoy a complementary champagne toast and food. A cash bar will be available. Anyone who orders tickets to the show and after-party using the code "2009" will get $10 off the ticket price. Call 410-332-0033 or go to www.centerstage.org.

More Baltimore blasts

The Mahoney Brothers will again bring their Fab Four tribute, "Long Live the Beatles" to the Recher Theatre (Towson, 410-337-7178) on New Year's Eve. The ticket price of $25 includes the 8 p.m. show, a buffet meal and champagne toast.

Baltimore's 8X10 Club will feature 3 Fifths, Mad Sweet Pangs and an open bar at its early New Year's celebration, which starts at 8 p.m. The Rebirth Brass Band will headline the late event, beginning at 3 a.m. Admission is $25 for the late show. For further details, call 410-625-8000.

The "party rock" cover band Faded Image will play the Hard Rock Café (601 E. Pratt St., 410-347-ROCK), which launches its New Year's party at 9 p.m. Admission is $100 in advance $125 after Dec. 26). Included in the package is an open bar, light fare and a champagne toast.

The Grateful Dead tribute band Dark Star Orchestra will re-create Dead sets from New Year's Eve parties gone by starting at 8 p.m., at the Rams Head Live! (20 Market Place, 410-244-1131). Admission to this all-ages show is $59 in advance, $79 at the door.

The Joe DiCaro Band will again kick out the jazz at the Rusty Scupper Inner Harbor (410-727-3678), 9 p.m.-1 a.m. The restaurant's "New Year's Eve Extravaganza" includes a four-course dinner and complementary champagne. Cost is $99 per person, plus tax and gratuity.

Both dance and music will be on the bill at the Ottobar (2549 N. Howard St., 410-662-0069). Starting at 10 p.m., the local troupe the Gilded Lily Burlesque and the American Music Jamboree will offer an evening of dance and music featuring the Country Devils, Whale Show, LaBianca and Cold Cold Heartbreakers. Admission is $10 ($20 for all-you-can-drink).

Popular Baltimore musician Ben Sherman will play electric jazz guitar along with a three-piece band at the 13th Floor of the Belvedere (1 E. Chase St., 410-347-0888), 10 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Admission is $100 per person, which includes a gourmet cocktail dinner and open bar. The jazz quarter Lovecraft can be heard starting at 9:30 p.m. at Phillips Harborplace (301 Light St., 410-685-6600).

Angelo Cammarata and the Rat Pack will blend jazz and rock starting around 9:30 p.m. at An Poitin Stil (Timonium, 410-560-7900).

In Fells Point, local favorites Frank Florence and Ed Lauer will return to play another New Year's Eve show at the Horse You Came In On (1626 Thames St., 410-327-8111) starting at 9:30 p.m. At the Cat's Eye Pub (1730 Thames St., 410-276-9866), the Skyla Burrell Blues Band will take the stage around 10 p.m. and the music will end sometime after 3 a.m. The new wave and alternative rock cover band That's What She Said will play at the Waterfront Hotel (1710 Thames Street, 410-537-5055) starting at 10 p.m.

The heavy metal/hard rock cover band Deadlock performs at the Fish Head Cantina (4802 Benson Ave., 410-247-2474) in Arbutus from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Admission is $45 and includes an all-you-can-eat-and-drink buffet. In nearby Halethorpe, the oldies band the Esquires can be heard from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., at the American Legion No. 195 (2603 Virginia Ave.). Admission is $35.

Some southern highlights

The Baltimore-based rock quartet Starcrush will mix covers and originals starting at 9:30 p.m. at Nottingham's (Columbia, 410-290-0077). Admission is $5.

In downtown Ellicott City, the Baltimore Celtic rock trio Bow Street 7 will perform at the Judge's Bench (410-465-3497), starting at 9:30 p.m.

The top-40 cover band the Klassix will return to the Turf Valley Resort and Conference Center (Ellicott City, 410-423-0813) starting at 9 p.m. and running until 2 a.m. Tickets run $135 per person, and include a midnight breakfast buffet and a champagne toast.

Over in the state capital, the annual New Year's Annapolis will showcase a handful of pop and classical acts in downtown venues. Headliners playing at the City Dock include Milkshake (5 p.m.) and the funkadelic tribute band Clones of Funk (8 p.m.). Other performers include the Annapolis Chorale, jazz-blues guitarist Rob Levit and the three winners of the high school battle of the bands contest, Choice, Kramer and Nelson and Mount Weather.

The city will also feature two fireworks celebrations, one for kids at 7:30 p.m. and another at midnight. Admission is $10 until Dec. 25 and $15 after that ($40 VIP passes are also available and include parking). For complete details, go to www.newyearsannapolis.com.

Washington's Big Night, D.C. takes place from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., at the Gaylord National Resort (201 Waterfront St., National Harbor, Md). This 21+ event will feature regional favorites Carbon Leaf, Flip Like Wilson and Mr. Greengenes, among other acts. Tickets run $129.99 (www.bignightdc.com).

---

user comments (0)