SONOMA COUNTY
Revelers both married and single can ring in the new year with lots of laughs at the all-comedy cabaret with Sandy and Richard Riccardi at Sixth Street Playhouse in Santa Rosa. The Riccardis describe menopause, social consciousness and their cracked road to marital bliss at 7pm ($25) and 10pm ($40–$50). 52 W. Sixth St., Santa Rosa. 707.523.3544.
“Romp with the Beasts” this New Year’s Eve ($100) at Safari West in the wilderness of the Sonoma Serengeti. A festive dinner and dancing are par for the jungle, with wine and beer available for purchase. Also on offer is the option to stay past midnight by booking overnight accommodations in luxury safari tents, with breakfast and mimosas provided on New Year’s Day ($378–$500). 3115 Porter Creek Road, Santa Rosa. 707.579.2551.
For early sleepers, the Petaluma Museum hosts its fifth annual New Year’s Eve gala starting at 7pm. Celebrate with a concert by violist Yun Chu, cellist Shu Yi Pai and pianist Elizabeth Walter, who collaborate on Beethoven; then, Chu and Pai are joined by four members of the San Francisco symphony for a thrilling performance of Tchaikovsky’s “Souvenir de Florence.” The concert is from 7pm to 9pm, and guests will be provided with complimentary wine, cheeses and refreshments ($35–$45). 20 Fourth St., Petaluma. 707.778.4398.
Festive club goers can join Antix Events—the promoters behind the hugely successful Doubletree NYE parties in years past— at Flamingo Resort‘s New Year’s Eve event to dance the way into the new year. Party at the four stages of music with top DJs from Matt Price to TRUTHLiVE spinning Top 40 and backbeat lounge tracks before the countdown ball falls. The event is 100 percent hosted, so drinks are free all night with admission ($120). 2777 Fourth St., Santa Rosa. 707.545.8530.
Celebrate New Year’s Eve fake-afro-wig–style with Wonderbread 5 at the Mystic Theatre in Petaluma ($51–$56). With some crazy antics lined up for the last couple hours of 2013 and the first hour of 2014, the band plays all your favorite and nonfavorite radio hits from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s to ring in the new year. 23 Petaluma Blvd N, Petaluma. 707.765.2121.
Those hoping to start New Year’s Day with healthy first steps should look no further than Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen. As a part of the national “First Day Hikes” movement sponsored by America’s state parks, the free, moderately strenuous, eight-
mile hike begins at 10am
through the mixed evergreen forest up to a summit offering sweeping vistas of Sonoma Valley.
2400 London Ranch Road, Glen Ellen. 707.938.5216.
The “Queen of Boogie Woogie,” Wendy Dewitt, plays at Main Street Station in Guerneville ($17–$30). . . . The Thugz play at Redwood Cafe in Cotati’s New Year’s Eve party. . . . Choppin’ Broccoli light up at Russian River Brewing Company in Santa Rosa. . . . “Shotgun Harlot” and ADD/C play the Roadhouse New Year’s Eve party at Spancky’s Bar in Cotati. . . . The Alameda All Stars, a midnight toast, and favors fill the bill at the Tradewinds in Cotati. . . . The Smokin’ Aces New Year’s Eve party burns into Mavericks in Santa Rosa ($20). . . . The California Ballroom New Year’s Eve dance waltzes the night away at Monroe Hall in Santa Rosa ($15). . . . A Champagne toast and desserts at Cinnabar Theater celebrate the year after the performance of Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris ($55–$65).
MARIN COUNTY
Freefallin’ into 2014 isn’t so hard at the Mill Valley Community Center with Tom Petty cover band Petty Theft. The night includes opening act Fleetwood Mask, a band that recreates the look and sound of Fleetwood Mac at their peak, a full bar and party favors. Reserved table tickets and standing general admission can be purchased online ($40–$55) or on the day of the show ($45), with proceeds to benefit Mill Valley Recreation’s New Music Program. 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley. 415. 383.1370.
A year-end extravaganza with a lineup of talent brings laughter and dancing along with warm soup, salad, farmer’s bread, Champagne and desert. Danny Click & the Hell Yeahs, Mark Pitta, Junk Parlor and other special guests all line up for a night of entertainment at 142 Throckmorton Theatre in Mill Valley at ($60–$80). Then, kick off New Year’s Day with some of the funniest comedians around: Will Durst, Johnny Steele, Debi Durst, Michael Bossier, Mari Magloni and Arthur Gaus ($20–$24).
142 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley. 415.383.9600.
The New Years’ extravaganza at 19 Broadway in Fairfax is the ultimate funky dance party in Marin ($35–$40) with Vinyl featuring local soul diva “Sweetie Pie,” dancehall legend Bobby Tenna and Soul Pie opening the night at 9pm. Enjoy the show along with Gumbo from Hummingbird Cafe, a Champagne toast at midnight and party favors. 19 Broadway Blvd., Fairfax. 415.459.0293.
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Laughs abound at the Fourth Annual New Year’s Eve StandUp Comedy Celebration at the Osher Marin Jewish Community Center in San Rafael ($35). Learn great insights on relationships featuring “the Spouse Whisperer” Mark Cordes, laugh with comedian and actress Cathy Ladman (Mad Men), among others and host Bob Alper. The event benefits the Ritter House, so bring along canned foods, toiletry items, warm lightly used or new coats, blankets, sleeping bags or
grocery store gift cards along.
200 N. San Pedro Road, San Rafael. 415.444.8000.
Lots of laughs ring in 2014 at the Best of the San Francisco Comedy Competition at the Marin Center in San Rafael ($35). Featuring four outstanding alumni of the event, this year’s headliner will be 2008 finalist Tyler Boeh. Boeh’s 2012 CD Carpool Companion beat out even Louis CK’s Word: Live at Carnegie Hall and was dubbed by one review site as the best comedy release of the year.
10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. 415.473.6400.
Hot Buttered Rum and Vintage Grass play at Sweetwater Music Hall in Corte Madera ($47–$102). These five best friends have made their way to the most prestigious pop, folk and bluegrass stages in the country, and grace the stage of Sweetwater Music Hall for a night full of sweet music to welcome 2014. Tickets include a Champagne toast at midnight, and VIP tickets include a dinner of locally sourced, seasonally driven and organic foods whipped up by pioneer of the slow food movement chef Gordon Drysdale. 19 Corte Madera Ave, Mill Valley. 415.388.3850.
The Miles Schon Band and Fenton Coolfoot play at George’s Nightclub in San Rafael ($30). Miles Schon, son of Journey guitarist Neal Schon, leads the band composed of guest artists Ben Burleigh, Wil Roberts, Erin Greenwall and Mike Wray. Funk-soul-reggae-rock artist Fenton Coolfoot will open the show for a night of music and dancing to start off 2014 the right way. 842 Fourth St., San Rafael. 415.226.0262.
Duran Duran cover band Notorious play at Hopmonk Novato ($30–$40). . . . Beso Negro plays at Peri’s in Fairfax ($20). . . . Left Coast Syncopators play with a Champagne toast at midnight at Station House Cafe in Point Reyes ($20–$65). . . . See the Tom Finch Group at the Sleeping Lady in Fairfax. . . . Tim Hockenberry joins the Fenix in San Rafael ($60–$115). . . . The Zydeco Flames play at Rancho Nicasio in Nicasio ($35–$45)
NAPA COUNTY
Long Meadow Ranch Winery & Farmstead in St. Helena celebrates the new year with a special evening featuring executive chef Stephen Barber’s special four-course farm-to-table dinner menu paired with delicious wine, festive cocktails and Long Meadow Ranch’s very own Grappa and live music by the Isaac Carter Band. Join the evening’s delicious events at 5pm ($65) with optional wine pairings ($20). 738 Main St., St. Helena. 707.963.4555.
The Harvest Inn‘s New Year’s package with Goose and Gander brings the Rat Pack to St. Helena. It starts with a bottle of sparkling wine, with accommodations in a king-size room with a fireplace, roundtrip transportation to the Rat Pack party and a sparkling wine country breakfast for two on New Year’s Day. 1 Main St., St. Helena. 707.963.9463
Castello di Amorosa rings in the new year with a Masquerade Ball. Dress in black attire and Venetian masks for a five-course dinner paired with Castello wines, a sparkling wine toast and a balloon drop at midnight in the Grand Barrel Room of the valley’s most opulent castle ($300). 4045 St. Helena Hwy., Calistoga. 707.967.6272.
La Toque‘s five-course “Red Tie Dinner” ($195) is a New Year’s delicacy. At the Michelin-rated restaurant inside the Westin Verasa, enjoy dinner with full access to the Red Tie Party ($75) at BANK Cafe and Bar, enjoy music, dancing and celebratory Champagne at midnight.1314 McKinstry St., Napa. 707.257.5157.
In downtown Napa, a Gatsby-themed New Year’s Eve party gets swinging at 1313 Main. Wear flapper attire and indulge in wine, cocktails and bites from Lulu’s Kitchen along with jazz music and a midnight Champagne toast ($25–$130). 1313 Main St., Napa. 707.258.1313.
Silo’s promises that you will get satisfaction with the Rock ‘n’ Roll New Year’s Eve party. Enjoy Champagne, party favors, a dessert buffet and a performance by the Unauthorized Rolling Stones ($100). 530 Main St., Napa. 707.251.5833.
Enjoy Silverado Resort and Spa‘s New Year’s Eve extravaganza with dancing, party favors, photo booths, light snacks and a midnight balloon drop ($75). . . . Calistoga New Year’s Eve Bash includes a $50 downtown dining voucher with participating restaurants and a party at the Napa County Fairgrounds Events Center with live music, premium no-host bar, late night munchies, party favors and a midnight toast with Schramsberg ($100).
. . . The Meritage Resort and Spa celebrates with a four-course dinner at Sienna, a ballroom party, bites, music and a sparkling wine toast ($125). . . . Wireless headphones pump the live DJ music that only you (and everyone else with headphones in the club) can hear at the Abnormal Formal Silent Disco Party Ball at Bergamot Alley ($60).
