THUR 12/31: Last Minute NYE Ideas

It's the end of the decade. It's a "blue moon".

The cheapest good time is to stock up on cava or prosecco and party with friends at someone's home.

It's true -- your chances of hooking up with a stranger is significantly lower if you stay in, but there's no need to spend a lot of money before your hip even hits the bar. There are places to go where you don't even have to spend more than $10 to get in some places. They might be crowded, although everywhere will be crowded.

If you don't want to go to a house party (or don't feel like crashing one) and you don't feel like staying home with a loved one(s) and a trove of booze -- then seriously consider somewhere close to home or T-friendly.

(Blue, Orange, Green and Red Lines will extend service until 2am. Commuter Rail has extended service too.)

Nothing ruins a good time like getting a DUI on the way home -- or something worse happening.

Yes, cabs will be available and busy. There might be other cities that offer a similar program, but Cambridge offers (up to) $35 cab vouchers to drunk people tonight that can be picked up at the restaurant/club where you're partying or you can print one [PDF] and pin it on your jacket...

I don't make resolutions at this time of year, but I think there will be a renewed site next week.

Happy New Year!

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THUR 12/31

10am to 4:45pm
Community Day
at Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave, Boston (The Fens)
FREE

Even the main exhibition "The Secrets of Tomb 10A: Egypt 2000 BC" is also free since it's included with museum admission on other days. If you're interested in Egyptian archaelogy, this is the first display of most of these items that were discovered in 1915. I went to the last free day, and this was a good exhibit.

I also liked "Seeing Songs", the exhibit with about 60 paintings, photos, and video installations intended to celebrate and capture the spirit of music. As expected, Candice Breitz's "Queen (A Portrait of Madonna)" -- 30 screens of 30 people singing Madonna songs with no music -- was the highlight.

You can also check out "Toulouse-Lautrec's Paris" and an Albrecht Dürer exhibit (I love his work).

THUR 12/31 (and FRI 1/1)

11am to 4pm
"Winter Classic Spectator Plaza"
at Yawkey Parking Lot, about 85 Brookline Ave, Boston (Fenway Park)
FREE

FRI 1/1: 9am to 1pm

You don't need a ticket to the game to walk around check out the interactive, hockey-themed fun in the parking lot near Yawkey Way & Brookline Ave. I'm guessing it's a mix of activities, entertainment, giveaways, etc. Former Bruins may appear, as well as Dan Craig and Claude Julien.

You could win a pair of tickets if you go there before 2pm with a sign that includes a Winter Classic logo and a 98.5 Sports Hub logo. The most creative sign wins...

THUR 12/31

7pm to Midnight
First Night Outdoors
at Various Locations
FREE

If you want to hear lots of good music along with other entertainment, buying the button is definitely worth the $18 for the indoor performances around the city. You can also be a cheapo and dig the outdoor stuff for free.

Fireworks displays go off at 7pm and midnight. Jordan Valentine & the Sunday Saints play at Parkman Bandstand at 7:30pm and The Fatal Flaw follows at 10pm who are supposed to rock in the New Year at midnight.

There will be ice sculptures and art installations in Boston Common, and there will be a couple ice sculptures in Copley Square where WBZ is hosting a countdown show with live music, etc from 10pm to midnight...

THUR 12/31

Cassavettes (10:30pm), Melvern Taylor & His Fabulous Meltones (8pm)
at Toad, 1912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Porter Sq)
FREE

Gotta love Toad for having great free music all year long and just keep on keeping on for NYE. Melvern Taylor & His Fabulous Meltones will swing you into the good-time party mood, and this place has to usher the next decade with some rootsy rock, thanks to Cassavettes.

Get there early, if you really want to get in. Newtowne Grille across the street should be hopping too...

THUR 12/31

9:30pm
Jason Anderson & The Best, Strand of Oaks, Ette
at PA's Lounge, 345 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
$7 -- 21+ / $10 -- 18+

I'm not sure if NYE at PA's is really a step up from a house party, but it should be a good, folk-rocky, positive vibe. It looks like it's hard to have a bad time when you're hanging out with Jason Anderson.

THUR 12/31

10pm
Dennis Brennan Quatro
at Atwood's Tavern, 877 Cambridge St, Cambridge
$10 / 21+

If I was thinking about going to a bar tonight, I think I'd want to listen to the amazing Dennis Brennan rock out with the "Quatro", a lean, mean outfit among his many bands. The beer selection is awesome; the tunes will be awesome, and I like the food there too.

THUR 12/31

10pm
Michael Tarbox
at Plough & Stars, 912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$5 / 21+

Think of it as a stripped-down version of the Ramblers as Tarbox will be joined by drummer Adam Mujica for a wicked night of Americana where old-time/gospel collides with gut-bucket bluesy rock.

THUR 12/31

10pm
Otis Grove
at Middle East - Corner, 480 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE

Jazzy, funky, rocky organ trio could be the right soundtrack to leap from the Naughties into the Teens.