Farewell to Another Year

The Ventura County club scene will be hopping with revelers bringing in the new year Tuesday night, but a variety of other festivities will also be held. These are some of them.

* Wheeler Hot Springs above Ojai will hold its sixth annual New Year’s Eve Dinner Party. The evening features a performance by the Jimmy Calire Quartet, playing R & B, jazz and blues, and a five-course gourmet meal. Dinner will be served from 7 to 10 p.m. The band will begin playing for diners at 9 p.m., with dance sets scheduled from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.

A shuttle service will be available, for a fee, to and from anywhere in the Ojai Valley. The fireside dinner, show and champagne is $75 per person. Wheeler Hot Springs is at 16825 Maricopa Highway. For more information or reservations, call 646-8131, or outside the Ojai-Ventura area (800) 227-9292.

* The Ventura County Master Chorale and Opera Assn. presents its New Year’s Eve Gala with the music of Cole Porter at the Bill Esty Center in Camarillo. Proceeds from the evening of fine dining and dancing will benefit the chorale’s upcoming tour of Eastern Europe and participation in the International New World Festival to be held in Prague in June.

After a gourmet meal, dance to the music of the Richard Franke Combo and an hourlong revue of music by Cole Porter. The evening will be capped with a champagne toast and a balloon drop at midnight. Admission is $75 per person. The center is at 3701 E. Las Posas Road. For more information or reservations, call 647-7636 or 483-3946.

* Sacred Heart Church in Saticoy will host a New Year’s Dinner-Dance, with live entertainment provided by The Bumps. A cocktail hour will be held 6 to 7:30 p.m., dinner will follow. The Bumps will take the stage at 9 p.m., mixing 1950s and ‘60s dance music with current hits. Party favors included. Admission is $25 per person. The church is at 1085 Henderson Road. For more information, call 647-9108.

* The Ventura Concert Theatre presents a New Year’s Dancing Eve with venerable rocker Todd Rundgren. Opening the show at 9 p.m. will be rock act Shandi. General admission is $35, or concert-goers can opt for the dinner package at $50 per person. Party favors included. The theater is at 26 S. Chestnut St. For more information, call 648-1888.

* Plaza Players Theater will bring in the New Year opening their new production “Peacock Hill.” The doors will open at 8 p.m. with a champagne reception, including refreshments and finger foods. The show will begin at 9 p.m. Admission is $25. The theater is at 34 N. Palm St., Ventura. For more information or reservations, call 643-9460.