All Over Albany

What are you doing New Year's Eve?

Ring in the new year with the Hobo Banned.

Still looking for New Year's Eve plans? Not into the idea of a pricey prix fixe dinner and hotel room, but still want to feel festive? AOA brings you a few other options to ring in 2009 close to home.

First Night
Albany's event is deceased, but Saratoga knows how to throw a good bash that's also family friendly. Performances include Edward Clifford "The Human Jukebox," the McKrells, and Johnny Rabb, along with the Zucchini Brothers, ventriloquist Steve Charney and many others. I'm particularly intrigued by The Hot Club of Albany, which will be playing "gypsy jazz" from 7 p.m. on in the lobby of the Saratoga State Park Administration Building.

Get your groove on
Albany's oldest gay club, Waterworks Pub, is putting on the ritz for their NYE bash. There will be DJs upstairs and down, with a complimentary buffet, canapes, a champagne toast at midnight and breakfast the next morning for those who can hack it all night.

The Fuze Box will be hosting a special edition of 80s night with DJ Auryn spinning the best of Madonna, Prince and all the rest from 10 p.m. to a.m. After that, DJ Modern Primitive will be playing hiphop, disco and soul until sunrise. And it's just $5 to get in.

Get your rock on
Beware! The Other Head of Science and Sgt. Dunbar and the Hobo Banned are headlining a show at Albany's Valentines

Local duo Sirsy will join DJ Eric to host the NYE festivities at Revolution Hall in Troy.
That includes champagne toast, appetizers, acoustic and electric sets and karaoke. Doors at 9 p.m. 18 and up. Tickets are $15 in advance or $25 the day of show.

Albany jamsters Timbre Coup will ring in the new year with a CD release party at Red Square,Doors at 8 p.m. $10 cover.

Get your chill on
New Year's Eve seems like a great chance to try a variation of AOA's 4 for $100. Be really lazy and get takeout to go with your games and wine.

The folks at Elda's on Lark Street will be pouring the cocktails all night, handing out tiaras and hats, and offering good drink specials. Complimentary appetizers and no cover. The fun starts at 10:30 p.m.

The Wine Bar and Bistro on Lark, a perennial AOA favorite, will be serving later than usual in case the idea of some good food, a few friends and several bottles of wine by a cozy fireplace sounds like the perfect NYE for you.

Anybody have other plans they'd like to share?