East-side venues prepare for year’s biggest party

Las Vegas has become one of the prime places to visit on New Year's Eve, and while the activities on the Strip are well-known and televised, many locals don't head in that direction on Dec. 31. There are many options on the east side of the valley.

CELEBRATE EARLY

For people who don't want their young ones up until the wee hours, there is the option of celebrating a few hours early.

The Whitney Library, 5175 E. Tropicana Ave., plans to ring in the new year during a special story time from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Organizers plan to tell stories, sing songs, make crafts and then count down to New Year's at noon. For more information, call 702-507-4010.

THE BOULDER STRIP

While the Boulder Strip won't be shut down and turned into a pedestrian mall, its various properties have several events planned for Dec. 31.

---Arizona Charlie's Boulder, 4575 Boulder Highway, is scheduled to feature Front Page, a five-piece top-40 cover band, from 8 p.m. to midnight. The group covers songs from the '60s to the present. Admission is free but limited to guests 21 or older. For more information, visit arizonacharliesboulder.com or call 702-951-5800.

---Boulder Station, 4111 Boulder Highway, is planning two major events. From 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Kixx Bar, guests are invited to ring in the new year with DJ Roulletta. At the Railhead, a New Year's celebration with tribute band Las Vegas KISS is scheduled to start at 10:30 p.m. Admission to both events is free but limited to guests 21 or older. For more information, visit boulderstation.com or call 702-432-7777.

---Sam's Town, 5111 Boulder Highway, plans to split one of its major venues, Roxy's Lounge, into an early and late show. From 4:30 to 9:30 p.m., Rock It Science is set to perform. From 10:30 p.m. to 4 a.m., New Year's Eve with Vintage Vegas: Mark & Genevieve is scheduled. As the name implies, the duo performs hits from classic Vegas, including Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra and Etta James, arranged as duets. For more information, visit samstown.com or call 702-456-7777.

---The Eastside Cannery, 5255 Boulder Highway, is planning three major events. At 8 p.m., the Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards is scheduled to perform at the Eastside Events Center. Edwards sang lead for the Temptations from 1968 to 1977 and returned to the band from 1980 to 1984. Among the songs he recorded with the Temptations was one of the group's best-known: the Grammy-winning "Papa Was a Rolling Stone." For the better part of two decades, he has been leading his current band, the Temptations Review. Tickets are $19.95 to $39.95.

After the Temptations Review, the room will be cleared, and at 10:30 p.m., rhythm and blues vocal group Next Movement will begin a concert and New Year's countdown. Tickets are $10.

The other event scheduled at the Eastside Cannery is a New Year's Eve party in the One Six Sky Lounge, on the top floor of the building. The lounge is open only for special or private events, so the party is a rare chance to see one of the best views from Boulder Highway. An outdoor porch with glass walls affords visitors a commanding view of the Strip and an unobstructed view of the fireworks. Tickets are $40 and include a champagne toast.

For more information, visit eastsidecannery.com or call 702-856-5300.

---The Boulder Crystal Palace Skating Center, 4680 Boulder Highway, has an option for teens who want to celebrate the new year with their peers and for parents who want to enjoy adults-only venues while letting their kids get out, too. From 7 p.m. to 1 a.m., the center is holding a New Year's Eve Lock-in Party.

"We do this every year, and it's very popular," said Tonya Poole, co-owner of the rink. "The parents drop their kids off, and they can't go out until their parents pick them up. The parents know their kids are safe and having fun, and they can go out for their own things."

The cost of the skating session is $15 and includes hats and horns. Refreshments are available for purchase. For more information, visit skatevegas.com or call 702-458-7107.

HENDERSON

---The Jokers Wild, 920 N. Boulder Highway, is set to feature New Year's Eve with the Rowdy Band from 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. in the Troubadour Lounge. Admission is free but limited to guests 21 or older. For more information, visit jokerswildcasino.com or call 702-564-8100.

---A DJ Dance Party is scheduled from 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Tequila Falls at the Eldorado Casino, 140 S. Water St. For more information, visit eldoradocasino.com or call 702-564-1811

---Green Valley Ranch Resort, 2300 Paseo Verde Parkway, is set to have DJs at several venues. Starting at 9 p.m., KCEP Power 88.1 FM plans to present Whodini in the Grand Events Ballroom. Tickets are $64.65 to $117.70, with the priciest tickets including a meet-and-greet. For more information, visit greenvalleyranch.sclv.com or call 702-617-7777.

---The M Resort, 12300 Las Vegas Blvd. South, is set to have DJs at multiple venues, and Rhythm Nation is set to ring in the new year at Ravello Lounge with a show starting at 10 p.m. The shows are free but limited to adults 21 or older. For more information, visit themresort.com or call 702-797-1000.

LAS VEGAS BOULEVARD

The South Point, 9777 Las Vegas Blvd. South, caters to a mix of locals and tourists and has a variety of events and specials planned. Some of the highlights include a $20 all-you-can-drink special from 7 to 10 p.m. at all casino bars, food specials and DJs. At 9:30 p.m., The Spazmatics are set to perform an '80s dance party in Exhibit Hall B that includes an open bar, hors d'oeuvres, party favors and a midnight champagne toast. Tickets are $69. Wes Winters is scheduled to perform at a Frankie Avalon New Year's Eve Gala in the Grand Ballroom with a four-course gourmet dinner, open bar, party favors and a midnight champagne toast. Tickets are $179.

"I'm very excited to perform at such a prestigious gala," Winters said. "It's going to be hard to top it, but you know I'll try."

For more specials and events, visit southpointcasino.com or call 702-796-7111

Contact Sunrise/Whitney View reporter F. Andrew Taylor at ataylor@viewnews.com or 702-380-4532.