The Olympian/file
Thekla in downtown Olympia plans a New Year's Eve bash that includes music from DJ Joey LaRock, champagne toast and balloon drop.

South Sound bustles with New Year's Eve fun

Parties aplenty are planned to help you welcome 2002

ROSS RAIHALA, THE OLYMPIAN

Originally published Friday, December 28, 2001

Monday night isn't typically the swingingest night of the week, but then again, most Monday nights aren't New Year's Eve.

Those looking for some special way to ring in 2002 have a variety of choices both here in South Sound and beyond. Revelers are advised to call ahead to check on the more expensive events, which may require reservations.

Here, then, is a guide to some of the special New Year's Eve options in the region.

South Sound

- New Year's Eve Ball/150th Birthday Party for Thurston County, Occasions ballroom in the Eagles building, 805 Fourth Ave., Olympia. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Hors d'oeuvres bar, soft drinks and punch, a midnight champagne toast and music by the 21-piece Portage Bay Big Band. $50, with proceeds benefiting Thurston County's sesquicentennial celebration events. 360-943-9494.

- New Year's Eve Party at the WestCoast Hotel, 2300 Evergreen Park Drive, Olympia. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Music by the Beatniks. Ages 21 and older only. $25. The hotel also is hosting a dinner buffet from 6 p.m.-1:30 a.m. for $25. 360-943-4000.

- New Year's Eve at Thekla, 425 Franklin St. S.E., Olympia. Music from DJ Joey LaRock, champagne toast and balloon drop. $10 in advance, $15 at the door. 360-352-1855.

- New Year's Eve with Brian Feist at Tugboat Annie's Waterfront Bar, 2800 West Bay Drive at West Bay Marina, Olympia. 9 p.m. $12, dinner reservations required. 360-943-1850.

- New Year's Eve Dance, Olympia Elks Lodge, 1818 Fourth Ave. E. 5:30 p.m. $25. 360-357-6646.

- New Year's Eve Party, The GO Club, 311 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia. 9 p.m.-4 a.m. No cover. 360-704-PARTY.

- New Year's Eve Party, Charlie's Bar and Grill, 620 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia. Music by the Steamers. 9 p.m. Cover charge TBA. 360-786-8181.

- New Year's Eve Party, South Pacific Restaurant, 3507 Capitol Way, Tumwater. Live music featuring Cutthroat, Big Daddy and the Bastard Cats and the Dudes. $7. 360-352-0701.

- New Year's Eve Party, Tequila Bar at Burrito Heaven, 2103 W. Harrison Ave., Olympia. Live music featuring Fezzik's Rhyme, P.C. Load Letter and Watermelon Sugar. 9 p.m. 360-956-0724.

- New Year's Eve Party, Trails End, 1500 79th Ave. S.E., Tumwater. $10. 360-596-9203.

- New Year's Eve Celebration, Evergreen Christian Center, 1000 Black Lake Blvd., Olympia. Music, activities and food for teens. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. $10. 360-455-3397.

- New Year's Eve Party, Little Creek Casino, West 91 Highway 108, Shelton. Live music starting at 8:30 p.m., with the headlining act Branscombe Richmond and the Renegade Posse. $30. 360-427-3010.

- New Year's Eve Party, Red Wind Casino, 12819 Yelm Highway, Olympia. Party favors, snack foods and a champagne toast. 360-412-5000.

- New Year's Eve Party, Lucky Eagle Casino & Bingo, 12888 188th St. S.W., Rochester. Music, party favors and prize drawings. Starts at 8 p.m. 800-720-1788.

- Free rides home will be offered from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. by Bill's Towing & Recovery. The service will be available in the Yelm, Rainier and McKenna areas. People can call 360-458-5963 to request a free ride of up to 10 miles. Reservations are not accepted.

Elsewhere

- "First Night Tacoma-Pierce County," an alcohol-free family celebration of the arts in venues throughout downtown Tacoma. 5 p.m.-midnight,. $10 in advance or $12 at the event. 253-572-8373.

- New Year's Eve Party, Muckleshoot Casino, 2402 Auburn Way S., Auburn. Music from the Klassics, Body & Soul and Nathan Owens. 800-804-4944.

- "Super Singers of the '80s," Emerald Queen Casino, 200 Alexander Ave., Tacoma. An evening featuring rock vocalists Chuck Negron, Jimi Jamison, Mickey Thomas, Bobby Kimball and John Cafferty. 10 p.m. $30. 253-594-7777.

- Fireworks Display, Long Beach boardwalk. Featuring 150 shells in one minute. Midnight. 800-451-2542.

- New Year's Eve Concert and Gala at Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., Seattle. 9 p.m. $65-$150. 206-628-0888.

- New Year's Eve at the 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave., Seattle. Seattle Sesquicentennial Concert with Seattle Choral Company. 7:30 p.m. $15-$50. 206-363-1100.

- New Year's Eve at the Seattle Center, 7 p.m. to midnight, featuring the famed Space Needle fireworks display. $5. 800-937-9582.

- New Year's Eve Electronic Bash at Experience Music Project, 325 Fifth Ave. N., Seattle. 9 p.m. $10-$15. 877-I-LISTEN.

- New Year's Eve Celebration for Irrepressible Optimists, New Freeway Hall, 5018 Rainier Ave. S., Seattle. Featuring Latin and World Beat music. Sponsored by Radical Women. 8:30 p.m. Door donation $5, buffet donation $14.95. 206-722-6057.

Ross Raihala covers music and entertainment for The Olympian and can be reached at 360-754-5406 or OlyRoss@aol.com.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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