New Year's Eve on Long Island

It’s time to bid farewell to yet another year and get ready to welcome 2011. There are many options throughout the area to make the most of that big night – whether you want a glamorous evening or something more low key. Here are some suggestions on where and how to celebrate.

A Long Island Philharmonic Celebration
Join Maestro David Stewart Wiley and the Long Island Philharmonic at a musical extravaganza to usher in the New Year. The Philharmonic’s New Year’s Eve concert has become a popular year-end tradition for the orchestra and its fans. This year’s celebration, “Greatest Hits of Broadway,” is an entertaining revue of Broadway’s biggest hits from Broadway’s top musicals.
With the cash-strapped Philharmonic in the midst of a reorganization, this concert will be the only chance for fans of the orchestra – founded in 1979 by the late folk singer Harry Chapin – to enjoy a performance for some time, since the Philharmonic will not play any other concerts during the 2010-2011 season.

This glittering year-end concert features the Great White Way’s most beloved showstoppers, including “All I Ask of You” from The Phantom of the Opera, “Bring Him Home” from Les Misérables, “My Favorite Things” from The Sound of Music, “All that Jazz” from Chicago, “Some Enchanted Evening” from South Pacific, “Popular” from Wicked, along with selections from A Chorus Line, Jersey Boys, Chicago, Mary Poppins, Annie Get Your Gun, The King and I, Carousel, Evita, Cats, Aspects of Love. and much more.
Maestro Wiley, music director and conductor, and the Philharmonic join forces with four musical theater stars: Ron Bohmer, Rosena Hill, Sarah Pfisterer, and Edward Watts, who are all making their Philharmonic debuts.
To add to the New Year’s Eve festivities, concertgoers can see the Philharmonic’s own New Year’s Eve ball drop at the close of the performance.
“This early evening format with a complimentary glass of champagne, has become a tradition for the many Long Islanders who prefer to be home long before the New Year rings in at midnight,” said Maestro Wiley. “Some of our concertgoers also enjoy an early dinner with friends before coming to the concert.”
The Philharmonic’s New Year’s Eve Spectacular is presented at Tilles Center, on Friday, Dec. 31, 7:30 p.m., ending at approximately 9:30 p.m., leaving plenty of time to greet the New Year with loved ones and friends. Tickets are $110, $85, $70, $55. For tickets and information, call (631) 293-2222 or visit www.liphilharmonic.org. The Tilles Center for the Performing Arts is located on the C.W. Post Campus, Rte. 25A, Brookville.

“Noon Year’s Eve” at Long Island Children’s Museum
New Year’s Eve comes to Long Island Children’s Museum in the form of “Countdown to Twelve,” LICM’s annual New Year’s party where families can the bid farewell to the year in style. Starting at noon on Dec. 31, Times Square comes to Museum Row when LICM gets ready to ring in 2011 with a “city-style” celebration. Young visitors can share in the New Year’s Eve experience with family-centered activities that celebrate the holiday just like the “big kids.”
Young revelers have a variety of activities to choose from throughout the afternoon. Dress up those New Year’s outfits by designing top hats and necklaces to wear and get ready for a new year by creating resolution magnets to remind everyone of those resolutions all year long. Then make noisemakers to help bring the New Year in with a bang! Also, learn about Vasilopita, the traditional Greek custom that involves placing a gold coin into a small cake, and then make to take home.
Families will also want to check out the LICM theatre, where performers from the National Circus Project will amaze everyone with their juggling, stilt walking and unicycle tricks. The energetic performance is presented at 1, 1:45 and 2:30 p.m.
Finally, get those top hats on and countdown to the big “ball drop” at 4 p.m. with the folks from the National Circus Project. The “Noon Year’s Eve” celebration ends at 4:30 p.m.; a schedule that enables parents to spend the day with their children and still have time to take part in a traditional celebration at night.
The program concludes a busy time at LICM; the museum is open daily through Jan. 2 (with the exception of Dec. 25 and Jan. 1) to accommodate children and adults look for family activities during the school break. Visitors can create their own picture puzzle, enjoy three different theater performances or get “Messy” at the Messy Afternoons program. Visit www.licm.org for the entire holiday break week schedule.
Countdown to 12 admission is $10 for adults and children over 1 year old, $9 seniors. Additional fees for theater and special programs may apply. LICM is located on Museum Row, Garden City. For additional information, contact (516) 224-5800.

Dining and dancing
Dress up in your most glamorous evening attire and greet the New Year in style with a night of elegant dining and dancing at the Garden City Hotel’s Grand Ballroom. The evening begins at 8:30 p.m. with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, followed by a three-course dinner prepared by award-winning Chef Steven De Bruyn (cocktail/semi-formal attire is required).
After dinner, dance the night away to rock, hip-hop, 80s, dance, and top-40 hits provided by Hank Lane Music & Productions. Guests will also see the live televised New Year’s Eve countdown to midnight. The evening costs $195 per person; reservations are required, of course.
Another option is the hotel’s “New Year’s Eve Overnight Extravaganza.” Those revelers who don’t want the party to end can extend their stay and spend the night in an elegant guest room. The overnight celebration includes two tickets to the New Year’s Eve Gala, champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries upon arrival, and a New Year’s Day buffet or a sit down dinner in the Rein restaurant, including open bar, and a live orchestra. The fee is $695 per couple.
There is also more casual choice, a Brazilian Masquerade Carnival celebration in the hotel’s lounge, Posh. The private “ultra lounge” is open to the public, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. for a Latin American-inspired New Year’s extravaganza. Posh’s state-of-the-art light and sound system sets the scene for an authentic Brazilian percussion band and professional dance troupe in dazzling Carnival costumes. A sumptuous late night buffet, from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., showcases Latin culinary delights; followed by a late night snack station at 2 a.m.; with an all-night open bar until 3 a.m. Everyone can dance to classic samba and rumba plus hits spun by one of the area’s hottest Latin DJs. The cost of the evening is $175 per person, or, $250 per person for VIP seating including table service and one bottle of champagne.
The Garden City Hotel is located at 45 Seventh St., Garden City. For information and reservations, call (516) 747-3000 or www.gardencityhotel.com.

Theater
Once again, theater lovers can partake of special New Year’s Eve “champagne” performances offered by the region’s theater companies.
Arena Players Repertory Theatre: “Move Over Mrs. Markham,” the British sex farce, is at the Main Stage Theatre, Dec. 31, at 9:30 p.m. Ray Cooney and John Chapman’s comedy involves a tangle web of mistaken identities that starts when Linda asks Joanna Markham if she can use her apartment for a tryst, while Joanna and her husband, Philip, go out for the evening. At the same time, Linda’s husband, Henry, is asking Philip Markham the same favor. In fact, there are more than enough affairs being planned for the Markham apartment to create a sort of traffic jam, not to mention a serious misunderstanding between Joanna and Philip, as they both try to provide various types of cover for their friends. Tickets are $50; with wine, champagne toast and dessert. Arena Players is offering special ticket offer, with the second ticket at half price. See "Move Over Mrs. Markhan" at 296 Rte. 109, East Farmingdale. For reservations or further information call (516) 293-0674 or www.arenaplayers.org.
Studio Theatre: Bring on the New Year with laughter at “The Best of Broadway & Burlesque,” Friday Dec. 31, at 9 p.m. This musical revue entertains with beloved Broadway songs combined with classic comedy sketches for a light-hearted evening of song and humor. Tickets are $50; with treats and a champagne toast. The Studio Theatre is located at 141 S. Wellwood Ave., Lindenhurst. To purchase tickets or for further information call (631) 226-8400 or www.studiotheaterli.com.