I know that it isn t technically the New Year until Sunday night (or is it Monday morning?), but anyway, the celebrations really begin tonight as everyone starts to let loose and get ready for a weekend of celebrating the end of 2006 and the beginning of 2007. Some partiers will head to Acme (163 Main St.
) for some of their famous wings and a serving of down-home roots and blues music from Dean Rosenthal between 6 and 9 p.m.
Others might head to Pesce Grande (2019 West St.
), where live music, free pizza, $1.75 domestic drafts, $2.50 imports and $2.
75 rail drinks draw in the crowds. Those looking for Spanish tapas with a side helping of jazz will head to Jalapenos (85 Forest Drive) where Tom Lagana and John Pineda will play starting at 7:30.
Later on, the alternative rock-pop sounds of Kali Celeste will rock the upstairs of Armadillo s (132 Dock St.
), while down the street at Middleton Tavern (2 Market Space), Neal and Bryan do the acoustic rock thing downstairs and Larry Lay hits the keys upstairs. Fran Scuderi will play acoustic rock inside at Pusser s (80 Compromise St.).
The Whiskey 1803 (1803 West St.) will feature Ocean City s own Lennex rocking out theirindie-alternative rock sound.
At Castlebay (193 Main St.
), Jordan Page rocks out, while The Rockfish (400 6th St.) will feature the acoustic pop rock sounds of Doug Segree.
Over on the Eastern Shore, the Rams Head Shore House will have the fantastic sounds of Josh Chapman, Mickey Eckman and Dan Haas, aka The Haastages, on stage from 10 until closing.
At the Jetty (Wells Cove Road, Kent Narrows), Half Nasty will play rock covers for the hard-rocking crowd.
Saturday brings more great music and another night for celebrating the end of the year. With New Year s Day falling on a Monday, there is plenty of time to celebrate, so take it easy and enjoy all three nights.
One good way to start your night is by checking out the Lights on the Bay show at Sandy Point State Park. The amazing production, featuring more than 60 animated and stationary illuminated displays, runs until Jan. 1, so this weekend offers your last chance to check it out.
The show is open every day from 5 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $12 per car and $50 per bus.
You ll find a $2 discount coupon on Page 13 of this week s Entertainment. Proceeds will benefit the expansion of AAMC s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
As I mentioned last week, you can see the lights in a very distinctive and special way if you call 410-349-1660 or visit to line up a rode through the park on a horse-drawn carriage.
Afterwards, keep heading east and heck out some of the great music venues on the Eastern Shore. Rams Head recently opened the Shore House (800 Main St., Stevensville) in the location of the old Island Inn, and Vicki Nova will perform her special brand of rock n roll on Saturday night.
The Jetty (Wells Cove Road, Kent Narrows) will host Easy Money, rocking out from 9 p.m. on.
On the Western Shore, DC Motors will perform their acoustic rock magic at Pirate s Cove from 8 p.m.-midnight.
Domenicas (2444 Solomons Island Road) will feature Ira and Mike performing rhythm and blues.
Bushmaster will perform acoustic rock at Griffin s West Street Grill (2049 West St.), while the Whiskey 1803 will have a pre-New Year DJ Dance party, so you can practice your moves and start getting pumped for Sunday s big night.
Plasmagora will perform at Armadillo s and the Dirty City Band will do their amazing rocking thing at The Rockfish (400 6th St.).
49 West has acoustic Americana group Her, Him I from 9 p.
m. until midnight. Cover charge is $8 for this night of great music.
Out at Sam s on the Waterfront (formerly Sam s Waterfront Cafe, 2020 Chesapeake Harbor Drive East), Mickey Basil will perform jazz starting at 7 p.m.
Because New Years Eve falls on a Sunday this year, there is much more time for relaxation as the big night approaches.
If you use Saturday to get ready for whatever your plans are for Sunday night, you should be able to sit back and relax on Sunday morning.
What better way to relax than a leisurely Sunday brunch, which is something that can be found at numerous local restaurants. Carrol s Creek Cafe (410 Severn Ave.
) offers a buffet brunch that makes everyone happy from 10 a.m.-2 p.
m. Regardless of the weather, this waterfront location is a beautiful place for spending your Sunday morning.
The Boatyard (400 4th St.
) offers an a la carte breakfast menu, with tons of treats for kids and adults alike. Breakfast is served from 9:30 a.m.
-1 p.m. Yellowfin (2840 Solomons Island Road) serves up a great brunch from 11 a.
m.-2 p.m.
- a huge selection of a la carte items.
Riordan s (26 Market Space) serves classic brunch items from 10:30 a.m.
-2 p.m., as does Griffin s (22 Market Space) from 10 a.
m.-2 p.m.
The brunch at Middleton Tavern (2 Market Space) is an Annapolis classic - served from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.
m.
The Treaty of Paris, at the Maryland Inn, serves brunch from 10 a.m.
-2:30 p.m. - it s a full buffet.
Harry Browne s serves champagne brunch from 10 a.m.-3 p.
m., you can choose between a well-stocked buffet and a diverse a la carte menu, or a combination thereof. If you re a Bloody Mary drinker, you will find their Bloody Mary bar, at $4 with a wide choice of ingredients, the perfect thing for you.
Sunday night is, of course, New Year s Eve. There is First Night Annapolis, covered extensively in this week s Cover Story starting on Page 15, as well as a host of things that I covered in last week s issue of Entertainment. If you missed last week s Cover Story, you can find it online at , on the Entertainment page.
Since the publication of that article, I ve received notice of a couple of events that were not included.
Les Folies (2552 Riva Road) will host a five-course dinner from 9 p.m.
until 3 a.m., with amazing music from the Bay Jazz Project, a special show by costumed staff, dancing and more.
Dinner is $130 and reservations can be made by calling 410-573-0970 or e-mailing .
Pesce Grande (2019 West St.) is offering a $75 table for two featuring the house suggestions for exploring the PG menu.
There will be three seatings, 5-7, 7:30-9:30 and 10 until close, with dancing and a midnight toast. A limited version of their normal menu will also be available for those not interested in the special. Call 410-224-0205 to make reservations.
Sputnik Cafe (1397 Generals Highway, Crownsville) will be offering a special menu for New Year s Eve and is taking reservations - call 410-923-3775. Kaufmann s Tavern (329 Gambrills Road, Gambrills) is offering a four-course meal, with open bar, a champagne toast, a DJ and party favors. It costs $75 in advance or $100 at the door.
Reserve your space at 410-923-2005.
Piccola Roma (200 Main St.) is offering a three-course meal for $65 from 7 p.
m. on. Call 410-268-7898 for reservations.
For those who have tried to attend McGarvey s NYE bash in year s past and were not able to because of your lack of black tie, you ll be glad to know that the restriction has been lifted this year. Dress code is still dressy, but not black tie.
Ah, New Year s Day.
A day for rest, recovery and relaxation.
In my house, it s also a day for eating - pork and sauerkraut, black eyed peas - if there s a food related good luck item, we have it - it never hurts to be too careful.
However, it s also a good day not to be cooking, as the festivities of the evening before may leave you better off ordering something from one of the many fantastic restaurants in the area.
Kaufmann s Tavern in Gambrills is offering a New Year s Day brunch from 10 a.m. until 2 p.
m. The champagne brunch will feature omelet and carving stations. Waffles, seafood, and much more.
Ahh! Coffee (Eastport Shopping Center, Bay Ridge Avenue) will be open from 8 a.m.
until noon for those needing recovery but unable to handle a full restaurant experience. The Boatyard (400 4th St.) will offer breakfast from 9:30 a.
m. to 1 p.m.
Grump s Cafe (117 Hillsmere Drive) is a great place for recovering, as breakfast is served in a comfortable atmosphere - no need to worry about showing up in your PJs, as that is what the staff is wearing, too!
Downtown, most restaurants will be opening around 11, but some are opening later because of the late night. If you have somewhere in particular you would like to go, make sure you call ahead just to make sure they are open.
The same goes for music on Monday night - call ahead before you get your heart set on anything!
Speaking of rest and recovery, this column is going to be a bit shorter this time around, just for this one week. I hope you all have had wonderful holidays and that this upcoming weekend is wonderful as well and I promise to return next week with a full slate of nighttime, daytime and anytime activities in Annapolis and the surrounding areas!
May peace break into your house and may thieves come to steal your debts.
May the pockets of your jeans become a magnet for $100 bills.
May love stick to your face like Vaseline and may laughter assault your lips!
May your clothes smell of success like smoking tires and may happiness slap you across the face and may your tears be that of joy.
May the problems you had, forget your home address!
In simple words.
..
May 2007 be the best year of your life!
!!
Happy New Year!
Jessica Pachler moved into Eastport on the day of the MRE s secession from Annapolis and never looked back. Send questions or comments to after .
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