Well, 2010 certainly went by quick, didn’t it?
And so again, it’s that time when we celebrate making it through another year and welcome in the new one. As always, there is a lot to do Dec. 31, including events at local bars such as Tavern on Camac and New Hope’s The Raven. To help you, dear reader, we’ve compiled a short list of not-your-run-of-the-mill ways to welcome the year that will be 2011. Choose wisely.
MUSIC
Uptown Express The pop/cabaret band performs at 6 and 9:30 p.m. at Bob Egan’s New Hope, Ramada Inn, 6426 Lower York Road, New Hope; (215) 862-5225.
B.B. King The blues legend performs at 8 p.m. at Harrah’s Casino Hotel, 777 Harrah’s Blvd., Atlantic City, N.J.; (609) 441-5000.
Holiday Pops! Peter Nero and the Philly Pops will swing in the New Year starting at 8 p.m. at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 240 S. Broad St.; (215) 790-5847.
HaleStorm The rising and supremely bad-ass female-fronted rock band performs at 9 p.m. at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St.; (215) 922-6888.
Maroon 5 The pop-rock band performs at 9 p.m. at the House of Blues, 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J.; (609) 236-2583.
Steph Hayes and the Good Problems The out singer-songwriter and her rock band perform at 10 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; (215) 222-1400.
Sarah McLachlan The wildly popular singer and Lilith Fair founder performs at 10 p.m. at Caesars Circus Maximus Theater, 2100 Pacific Ave., Atlantic City, N.J.; (609) 348-4411.
COMEDY
Eddie Gossling The comedian seen on “Tosh 2.0” performs at 8 and 10:30 p.m. at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St.; (215) 496-9001.
Joel McHale The comedian from “Talk Soup” and “Robot Chicken” performs at 7 and 10:30 p.m. at the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa Music Box, 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.; (609) 317-1000.
DINING & MORE City Rhythm Orchestra The orchestra hosts a New Year’s Eve dinner at 7 p.m. at the Westin Philadelphia, 99 S. 17th St.; (800) 598-0005.
Lacroix The restaurant does New Year’s Eve with a special $85, seven-course meal or an a-la-carte menu, located on the second floor of the Rittenhouse Hotel, 210 W. Rittenhouse Square; www.lacroixrestaurant.com or (215) 790-2533.
Roller’s Flying Fish The restaurant hosts a three-course meal and performance by jazz/blues/rock/folk musician Jim Dragoni at 9 p.m., at 8142 Germantown Ave.; (215) 247-0707.
Xochitl The Mexican restaurant and tequila bar will offer a festive menu of five courses for $55 per person, 408 S. Second St.; (215) 238-7280, www.xochitlphilly.com.
Zahav Chef Michael Solomonov prepares a four-course Israeli New Year’s Eve menu, 237 St. James Place; (215) 625-8800, www.zahavrestaurant.com.
THEATRICS
Ghost Tour of Philadelphia: Toasts with Philly’s Ghosts Walk with the spirits (and drink some spirits) at 8 p.m. at Physick and Powel Houses in Society Hill. For more information, visit www.ghosttour.com or call (215) 413-1997.
CLUBS/BARS/DANCING/DRINKING
Stimulus Presents: New Year’s Eve! Philly’s biggest, wildest and most diverse women’s NYE party, 10 p.m.-2 a.m. at Marbar, 200 S. 40th St.; www.stimulusphilly.com.