New Year’s Eve Party Preview
by Matt Kalkhoff
 

Remember all the hype of last year’s massive Millennium celebration? Of course you do. Well, you get to do it all over again on Sunday, December 31, 2000 – the eve of the "real" Millennium. Since there technically was never a year 0, January 1, 2001 marks the actual beginning of the new millennium. So fight that millennial fatigue, cancel those boring plans to rent 2001: A Space Odyssey, and experience the magical dawning of a new century on your favorite dance floor one more time.

NEW YORK CITY

Since this is where I’ll be ringing in the New Year, let’s start with the Mother City. Victor Calderone will get the tribal beats and diva vocals rolling early on December 31st for 2001: A Roxy Odyssey. Special guest Kristine W will exercise her vocal cords after the midnight champagne toast. Your $100 advance ticket ($125 after December 17th) allows you to dance clear through noon on Monday. Call 212/645-5156 or visit www.roxynyc.com for more info.

Of course you’ll want to leave Roxy early if you’re planning to head up 10th Avenue to Junior’s coveted realm for Twilo of the Gods. Miss Vasquez spins all night long, but it’s no secret that he’ll save the best for last. You also won’t want to miss the ball drop, ala Times Square, at noon on Monday. If past years are any indication, expect late afternoon performances by Kevin Aviance, Rafael, and others. Pack a lunch ‘cause this party will go very, very late. Advance tickets are $75 till December 15th. Call 212/268-1600 or visit www.twilo.com for more info.

SOUTH BEACH

Jeffrey Sanker will be dominating Miami Beach New Year’s weekend with five separate events including a 15-hour continuous dance marathon at the Miami Arena in downtown Miami. Those of you who were lucky enough to attend Mark Baker’s Arena 2000 party over Thanksgiving weekend know just how unique this venue is, so if you can get past the obstacle of traveling across the causeway and the high ticket price ($100), the combination of DJs Abel, Manny Lehman and Mark Anthony should satisfy even the most discerning party boys’ musical tastes. Boy George will also be belting out his favorite hits during a special live performance.

Other Sanker events throughout the weekend include the return of DJ Boy George (same George, different talent) at Level on Friday, super-hot DJ Tracy Young and MasterBeat’s Brett Henrichson spinning at a beach party on Saturday afternoon, Last Dance at Salvation on Saturday night with DJ Alyson Calagna, and First Dance at Salvation on Monday morning with local favorite, DJ Ra. Limited weekend VIP passes are available for $300. Call 323/653-0800 or visit www.jeffreysanker.com for more info.

A more economical way to celebrate the New Year is at 2001: A SoBe Odyssey (sure, everyone’s working this theme to death this year, but it’s still better than that dreaded Y2K thing). Banking on safety in numbers, Salvation joins forces with Anthem @ Crobar and Revelation to present DJ Monty Q for your listening and dancing pleasure. Special surprise performances are also being planned to compliment "an evening of galactic delights." Advance tickets are only $50. Call 305/673-6508 or visit www.salvationsobe.com for more info.

If you still have any energy left over after all these parties (and we know you will), join DJs David Knapp and Ra (does this man ever sleep?) at Amnesia for their annual New Year’s Day party.

LOS ANGELES / PALM SPRINGS

Meanwhile, three hours later ... our friends on the west coast twirl their noisemakers and raise their glasses to toast the New Year at several festive soirees. DJs James Andersen, Paulo and Mark Andrus command the turntables at Spin 2001, a 15-hour marathon at The Palace. (At an advance price of $50, you can rent dance floor space for just $3.33/hour – what a bargain!) Call 323/731-3848 or visit www.rohanandmarco.com for more info.

The Factory hosts DJs Kimberly S and Mike Duretto for the low advance ticket price of $30 (310/659-4551 or www.factorynightclub.com), while Rage presents Snow Storm with DJ Rafael M for an even better deal – just $15 in advance (310/652-7055).

Many west coast boys will be venturing east into the desert this year in pursuit of fun and frivolity in Palm Springs. JT Presents’ Boys with Bad Habits (sounds like my kind of party) takes place on Saturday at The Doral Springs Resort with DJ Joe Gauthreaux, while KanYun Tours Productions and Don Bishop unite for the It’s All About You New Year’s Eve celebration at The Palm Springs Marquis Resort with DJs Roland Belmares and Don Bishop. Advance tickets are $40 and $50, respectively. Call 760/327-6343 or visit www.kanyuntours.com for more info.

WASHINGTON, DC

Despite the election drama and widespread political corruption, our nation’s capital is actually a very fun place to party (no, really, it is – I live there). Our world-class mega-club, Nation (remember the Cherry 5 closing party?), is the setting for A Weekend in the Garden of Good and Evil. Chicago mix-master Mark Vallese takes the helm on Saturday night while David Knapp works the bipartisan dance floor into a frenzy on New Year’s Eve. Hanging Chads are welcome. Economical weekend ticket packages are also available. Call 202/554-1500 or visit www.velvetnation.com for more info.

Washington’s newest club night, Tantrum, kicks the weekend off on Friday with Thunderpuss’ Chris Cox and Miss Loleatta Holloway at Zei Club. Admission is just $15 all night. Visit www.tantrum-dc.com for more info.


© 2000 Matt Kalkhoff

This article was featured at www.gaywired.com in December 2000.