Ringing in 2018, big Philly style

The Get Up Kids

We don’t know about you, but we are more than ready for this year to be over. Well, there’s no guarantee that 2018 is going to be any better, but … yeah, adios, good grief and good riddance to 2017. Still, there are a few moments left to wring out the last drops of fun, and Greater Philadelphia is a great place to get it in before we close it out.

If you want to laugh your way out of 2017, Sommore from “The Queens of Comedy” brings her Chandelier Status Tour to town with special guests TuRae, Skeet Cater and Talent opening the shows, 7:30 and 10 p.m. at Punch Line Philly, 33 E. Laurel St. Comedy Central comedian Godfrey is set to bring down the house 7:30 and 10 p.m. at Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St. A triple bill featuring Missy Grynkiewicz, Simply Dee and Bill Chiang are part of the Wet Your Pants Laugh-In celebration 8 and 10:30 p.m. at Comedy Cabaret Comedy Club Northeast, 11580 Roosevelt Blvd.

For some reason, there seem to be a lot of tribute acts converging on Philadelphia for New Year’s Eve. If your inner hippie wants to party, Grateful Dead tribute band Dark Star Orchestra brings the spirit of the long, strange trip to Electric Factory, 421 N. Seventh St., at 8 p.m. The Blues Brotherhood invokes the classic soul and R&B spirit of the Blues Brothers, 7 and 10:30 p.m. at Sellersville Theater, 24 W. Temple Ave., Sellersville. Up in New Hope, Steven Brinberg is “Simply Barbra!” performing as the legendary Barbra Streisand, 8 p.m. at The Rrazz Room, 385 W. Bridge St.

If you want something more sonically original to make your ears ring well into 2018, Phillybloco brings its signature mix of Brazilian percussion, bluegrass, funk, samba and reggae to the stage 9:30 p.m. at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St. Indie pop/punk rockers The Get Up Kids throw down for an all-ages show 9:30 p.m. at the Trocadero Theatre, 1003 Arch St. For something a little different, check out Silent Philly, a unique party experience where three DJs, Red (’80s, ’90s and 2000s), Green (Top 40 and EDM), and Blue (hip-hop), all spin music pumped into channels you can flip through on your lit-up color-changing headphones, turning the event into a silent disco where everybody is singing and dancing along to something, 9 p.m. at TLA, 334 South St. For the suit-and-tie set, the Philadelphia Orchestra performs a New Year’s Eve concert 7:30 p.m. at Kimmel’s Verizon Hall, 300 S. Broad St.

There are plenty of parties to end the year. Celebrate with three events under one roof at Tabu at the monthly Sinful party, Burlesque Ball and NYE Party all kicking off at 8 or 9 p.m., 200 S. 12th St. DJ Boo Boo provides the tunes for the Toasted New Year’s party, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. at Toasted Walnut Bar & Kitchen, 1316 Walnut St. Back 2 Basics teams up with Her Philly Moves for a New Year’s Eve event featuring burlesque performances and music by Deluxx, Dior and Jamz, 10 p.m.-2 a.m. at the Foundry at the Fillmore, 29 E. Allen St. This party has a strict mantra of no homophobia, ableism, racism, sexism, transphobia or fatphobia, so behave accordingly.   

If you want to get bowled over for New Year’s, check out Resolution 2018, a New Year’s Eve party at Lucky Strike, 1336 Chestnut St., featuring three hours of open bar, hors d’oeuvres and multiple DJs covering two floors of fun and entertainment. Another bowling alley getting in on the end-of-the-year action is Revolutions at Penn Treaty, 1009 Canal St. From 9 p.m. until close, you can enjoy bowling, arcade games, live DJs and billiards with a premium open bar and buffet to keep things festive. 

If you like to dress to impress, get your tickets for the Glitter City Gala featuring multiple floors of party space and many DJs to keep the party going. VIP upgrades to enhance your experience are available for this event, kicking off 8 p.m. at Hyatt at The Bellevue, 200 S. Broad St.

OK, be safe out there. Take a taxi or an Uber/Lyft home if you can’t drive yourself home. Have way too much fun and we’ll see you in 2018.

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