PARTY TIME

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Dec 31, 2004 | by J. ADRIAN STANLEY THE GAZETTE

Congratulations, good people of Colorado Springs! You have survived yet another year in this fine city, which means it's time to celebrate. This year, grab your cheesy party hats, confetti and your slightly tipsy friends and head out on the town.

There are plenty of sinful pleasures to partake in the night before you dedicate your lives to community service, your money to IRAs and your body to the Atkins diet. Cut loose and check out some live music or swingin' DJs.

Boogie Machine

Antlers Hilton hotel

4 S. Cascade Ave., 9 p.m. today, $80 per couple, 955-6263

The Antlers Hilton will be getting down to some funky music from the '70s when the bellbottom-wearing, Afro-sporting band Boogie Machine takes the stage. Covers like "Play That Funky Music" and "We Are Family" should do a fine job of getting the party started, and the package includes two drinks, party favors, hors d'oeuvres and a champagne toast. There will be a balloon drop at midnight.

Keep an eye out for the wedding that is set to take place during the party. The groom is in the military and was having a difficult time setting a date with his sweetheart, so the couple decided to tie the knot mid-party at the Antlers Hilton.

Pharcyde New Year's Eve Bash with Samir of Accumen1 and Black Pegasus

32 Bleu

32 S. Tejon St., 9 p.m. today, $55 (includes allnight open bar), 955-5664

Pharcyde formed in 1990 as a rap quartet and quickly earned the love of fans and critics by embracing humor and even a little immaturity in its upbeat raps. The group's debut, "Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde," was filled with storytelling and clever jokes.

Today, Pharcyde is a hip-hop legend, even if the group has been stripped down to two original members (Imani Wilcox and Romye "Bootie Brown" Robinson). The group released its fourth album, "Humboldt Beginnings," in July.

New Year's Eve with the Philharmonic

Pikes Peak Center

190 S. Cascade Ave., 8 p.m. today, $12-$50, 520-7469

Old acquaintances shouldn't be forgotten, especially when they're members of the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, which will give a big New Year's Eve performance featuring great American classics by Gershwin, Rodgers, Sondheim and Brubeck.

The frighteningly talented Amy Sue Hardy, star of such Fine Arts Center productions as "Chicago" and "Sweet Charity," is scheduled to provide the vocal virtuosity. Thomas Wilson will conduct; philharmonic music director Lawrence Leighton Smith will be busy at the piano. (Yes, Smith is almost as exciting a pianist as he is a conductor.)

The Nocturnal Tomatoes

Navajo Hogan Roadhouse

2817 N. Nevada Ave., 9 p.m. today, free, 632-5490

The Nocturnal Tomatoes are feeling pretty good about themselves lately. Alice Cooper called the local rockers "the best bar band in the United States of America" on his radio talk show, giving the band a big promotional boost.

Not that the band needed it. The Nocturnal Tomatoes have earned a name for themselves with a blues-infused sound that harkens back to the heyday of rock 'n' roll while maintaining a modern edge. The local stars easily draw large crowds to performances that also boast a light and video show.

To accommodate patrons, Navajo Hogan will be open after-hours and will serve breakfast.

New Year's Eve Music Festival, with Dirt Nap, Machine Gun Symphony and others

City Auditorium

221 E. Kiowa St., 6 p.m. today, $15, 385-6598

For those who want to slam in the new year in a head-banging frenzy, City Auditorium is party central. Eight bands, eight hours of nonstop music. Get ready to rock.

The New Century Big Band and The Nostalgics

The Sheraton Colorado Springs, Grand Ballroom

2886 S. Circle Drive, 8 p.m. today, $60 (includes buffet and champagne), 576-2626

The Nostalgics and the New Century Big Band hope to draw plenty of dancers to their New Year's Eve performance.

The Nostalgics are a doo-wop band that has been playing in the Spring's area for 10 years. Concert-goers can expect to hear classics such as "Barbara Ann," "Crying in the Chapel" and "Book of Love."

The New Century Big Band is a 17-piece band that originally formed in 1968. The band will be pumping out songs from Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Les Brown, Frank Sinatra and Billie Holiday.

The Swing Jive Five, DJ Skip Ripkin, DJ B-2, MC battle, art show

Cedars Jazz Club

3125 Sinton Road, 8 p.m. today, $20-$35, 1-866-366-3101

For those who love variety, Cedars offers a spitfire MC battle and a retro swing band.

Those who choose to pay for full access to the club can enjoy the Swing Jive Five's eclectic jazz, bottomless champagne and hors d'oeuvres, then wander into the next room to hear live music from some of the city's favorite DJs, poetry slams and about a dozen MCs calling one another out.

Those who need to rest up can see the art show and enjoy a wine bar at the adjoining OpticalReverb. Marc Huebert, an oil painter specializing in the surreal, will have his work on display.

The Continental Ki ds

Thunder and Buttons

2415 W. Colorado Ave., 9 p.m. today, free, 447-9888

The Continental Kids is made up of members of Flash Cadillac, the Colorado Springs rock band that has been pleasing audiences for more than three decades. The offshoot band is all about dancing, and plays rock 'n' roll classics and swing. Martini Shot