A passel of parties to ensue on New Year’s Eve
BY DANA DUGAN
For everyone, there is New Year’s Eve. One year ending, another just an inkling. While many prefer to treat the night—Monday, Dec. 31—as any other night, eat a nice supper and head to bed early, others wait for a ball to drop in Times Square in New York City. But let’s face it, there’s something irresistible about dressing up, joining friends to celebrate the beginning of another year with all its hopes and possibilities and the notion that we’re still here. And together.
During the evening of Monday, Dec. 31, from 4-9 p.m., everyone in the family can enjoy a ski party and fireworks at Dollar Mountain. The slopes will be open for night skiing, and then participants can enjoy music under the stars and fireworks. Admission includes skiing and riding on Quarter Dollar, face painting, a New Year’s Eve party hat decorating, a photo booth, bouncy twister and lots more. The cost for the evening is $30-$40. For tickets, call the Sun Valley Resort at (208) 622-2135.
Rotarun Ski Area, just west of Hailey, will also hold a free, family-friendly evening from 5:30-8 p.m., including skiing, a torchlight parade, bonfire, KB’s food truck and winter flicks. This is a unique event at the little mountain with a big heart.
In Bellevue, Mahoney’s Bar and Grill will host its 10th annual New Year’s Eve party. The popular local band Up A Creek will perform at the family-friendly event.
Also in downtown Bellevue, and right across the street, the Silver Dollar Saloon will hold its Rip Roaring New Year’s Eve party beginning at 9 p.m. There will be live music with Old Death Whisper and Friends beginning at 9:30 p.m. The party will include free champagne at midnight and free party favors.
At The Mint in Hailey, Fishbone will perform for the New Year’s Eve party there. The nightclub’s doors will open at 8:30 p.m. for a 9 p.m. show. Formed in 1979, in Los Angeles-based Fishbone plays a fusion of ska, punk rock, funk, heavy rock, and soul. Tickets are $70 to $175 through haileymint.com.
In Ketchum, Whiskey Jacques’ will host a New Year’s Eve party with music by three different musical options.
The Social Animals, a well-known indie rock band out of Minnesota, will be joined by the funk, hip-hop, electronica San Diego-based band Vokab Kompany. Together with tunes spun by DJN8, they’ll ring in the New Year with a champagne toast at midnight along with a bunch of party favors. The Social Animals and Vokab Kompany will perform downstairs, while DJN8 will be spinning all night upstairs. Doors open at 9 p.m. Tickets are available for $55 at whiskeyjacques.com or $60 behind the bar on the day of show, if available.
Meanwhile, next door at the The Sawtooth Club, the annual 5B Bash with DJ Music Monkey will take place. Doors will open at 4 p.m. but the party will be 21 and over only after 9:30 p.m. Tickets will be $50, and a portion of proceeds will go to benefit The Advocates.
In Sun Valley, the longtime tradition of New Year’s Eve at the Duchin Lounge will include live music and dancing.
The Velvet Falls Dance Hall at Mountain Village in Stanley will host a bash featuring the music of Andrew Sheppard beginning at 9 p.m. It will be a fun night of live music and dancing, plus fireworks. Entry is free, and it’s open to anyone 21 and over. Lodging is available through mountainvillage.com/lodging.
Back in Ketchum, the Limelight Hotel will host a free New Year’s Eve Masquerade beginning at 9 p.m. For more information, call (208) 726-0888.
Lost River Disco will team up with Ketchum natives Lexi and Maddie DuPont for a fundraising New Year’s Eve party to be held at the old Globus restaurant in Ketchum. A portion of all ticket proceeds will be donated to the Camp Fire Relief Fund in support of Paradise, Calif., and the surrounding areas affected by the recent wildfire disaster. Guests should dress for some serious fun and be ready to dance the night away to a surprise deejay and go-go dancers, along with ice luge shots.
The ticket price of $175 will include entry, coat check, food, champagne and photo booth. The winner of the raffle will go home with a fresh pair of K2 skis.
The annual Bubbly Bash at River Run, hosted by the Sun Valley Center for the Arts and Sun Valley Resort, has turned into one of the must-do ticketed events in the Valley. The festive affair, beginning at 9 p.m., always boasts an array of surprises for partygoers. The Bubbly Bash is a benefit for the Sun Valley Center.
This year the theme is “Rock Star,” with guests decked out in leather-studded sequined threads. There will be complimentary bubbles from 9-10 p.m. and at midnight, courtesy of Domaine Ste. Michelle. For tickets, contact The Center at (208) 726-9491.
Whichever way the New Year is celebrated, 2019 will begin with a bang and fireworks, dancing and toasts, and a whole lot of Idaho-style good cheer.