Parties to Get You Moving Into ’94 : Holiday: New Year’s revelers will be given plenty of ways to celebrate--among them music, dancing, food and comedy.

New Year’s Eve is the biggest going-out night of the year, but you may have trouble deciding where to go--or even what kind of night you want to spend.

Luckily, there’s a New Year’s Eve bash for every taste, from jazz and zydeco to Barry Manilow. You can choose food from Morocco or the American South. And you can dance retro several different ways, from a concert co-starring the Village People to a Roaring ‘20s party.

Music

Pop-rock singer Mark Cohn will play four shows Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano. Two shows will be offered each night, at 7 and 9:30. $23.50. Call (714) 496-8930.

Irish pop band the Posies will play a free concert at the Hard Rock Cafe in Newport Beach. The band is scheduled to start playing around 11 p.m., but patrons should arrive by 9 to get a seat. (714) 640-8844.

Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park will offer “Praise ‘94,” an evening of contemporary Christian music by Petra, Bryan Duncan, the Maranatha Praise Band, Susan Ashton, the Dakoda Motor Co., Mad at the World, the Darrell Mansfield Band, Christafari, Raspberry Jam and the Saddleback Community Church Singers & Band. The party will run from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. $19 to $21, includes all rides and attractions, party favors and a fireworks show. (714) 220-5200.

Local rockers the Ziggens, Piggyback, D-Railed and Pirates of Venus will play from 8 p.m. at Linda’s Doll Hut in Anaheim. Tickets are $5. (714) 533-1286.

New Year’s Jazz at Indian Wells: A three-day jazz, blues and zydeco festival in Indian Wells, 13 miles east of Palm Springs. An all-events pass is $120; single-day tickets are also available at $75 for New Year’s Eve, $35 for Jan. 1 and $20 for Jan. 2. Special hotel packages are available. (310) 799-6055.

Duran Duran, the Village People and Adam Ant perform a New Year’s Eve show at the Great Western Forum, $20, $32.50 and $50. Call Ticketmaster at (714) 740-2000.

Barry Manilow gets into the home stretch in the sixth of seven nights at Universal Amphitheatre on New Year’s Eve, $42.50. Ticketmaster.

Grace Jones plays two New Year’s Eve shows at the Palace, at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. The first show is $35, plus a two-drink minimum; a dinner package of $75 per person, which includes dinner, reserved seating for the show and two drinks, is available. The second show is $65 plus a two-drink minimum; the dinner package is $105 per person. Ticketmaster.

Cheap Trick and local faves Dramarama play two shows New Year’s Eve at the Ventura Concert Theatre. The first show is $25; the second show is $35. Ticketmaster.

Los Lobos play Oxnard Civic Auditorium on New Year’s Eve, $40. Ticketmaster.

Blues legend B.B. King appears in two post-dinner shows at the Strand in Redondo Beach. The 8 p.m. show and dinner is $45 per person; the 11 p.m. show and dinner is $75 per person. (310) 316-1700.

Neighboring clubs the Roxy and the Whisky a Go Go are sponsoring 20 bands for a single admission price of $20 to both clubs in an all-ages show. Since there’s a skull on the ad and the bands include local names such as Spade Ghetto Destruction, Pothole and 1000 Mona Lisas (with more to be announced), expect an alternative time. (310) 278-9457 or (818) 985-2231.

Luna Park has African reggae star Majek Fashek, plus DJs Nnamdi and guests playing world-beat, dance-hall, roots-reggae and house music until 4 a.m. Tickets are $15 in advance, with a show and dinner combination available. (310) 652-0611.

Club Jolt features underground music with DJ Richard (Humpty) Vission Information: (310) 698-3313; tickets only at (213) 651-3520.

Comedy

Louie Anderson and Kevin Nealon share top billing, along with ventriloquist Ronn Lucas and Billy Vera & the Beaters, at a comedy show and dinner dance starting at 7 p.m. at the Anaheim Hilton Hotel and Towers in Anaheim. Tickets prices range from $120 to $145, which includes a three-course dinner, champagne toast and party favors. For tickets and information, call the hotel’s holiday desk, (714) 740-4590.

Howie Mandel appears at 8 p.m. at the Celebrity Theatre in Anaheim. Limited party packages are available through Ticketmaster. (714) 740-2000.

Craig Shoemaker and Tom Martin perform at the Improvisation in Brea and Henry Cho, Don McMillan and Jim Hope will appear at the Irvine Improv. Both clubs will offer dinner packages for shows at 7:30 p.m., including a three-course meal, champagne toast with souvenir glass, tax and tip ($35, or $20 sans dinner). Shows at 10 p.m. (for $50) will include a complimentary fruit and cheese board for each couple, unlimited champagne, party favors, souvenir toasting glass, tax and gratuity. For reservations, call (714) 529-7878 (Brea); and (714) 854-5455 (Irvine).

The Way Off Broadway Playhouse in Santa Ana will offer the “Way Off the Wall Comedy Night Greatest Hits,” a revue of sketches, stand-up and music. Tickets are $25, including door prizes, hors d’oeuvres, champagne, party favors and dancing after the show. (714) 547-8997.

The Orange County Crazies comedy troupe will present “Orange Lang Syne ‘93,” a revue of the company’s best improvisational and sketch pieces from the past year, at the Pacific Symphony Center in Santa Ana. Seating starts at 9 p.m. and show begins at 10. $25, includes champagne and refreshments. (714) 550-9900.

The Improv clubs in Hollywood and Santa Monica have dinner packages that includes a five-course meal, tax, tip, two drinks and a show, with shows at 7:30 p.m. ($80, or $40 without dinner) and 10 p.m. ($108, or $55 without dinner). (213) 651-2583.

The Comedy Store’s New Year’s party offers three separate shows, with a champagne toast at midnight for each: “The Best of the Comedy Store” in the Main Room; a continuous show of comedians in the Original Room and “Gay and Lesbian Comedy Night” in the Belly Room. Discount tickets for the Original Room are available through Dec. 26. (213) 656-6225.

The Laugh Factory has two shows with champagne, hors d’oeuvres and party favors. The pre-party celebration starts at 7:30 and costs $25; the Comedy Countdown starts at 10 p.m. and costs $50. Reservations are required. (213) 656-1336.

Dancing

The Disneyland Hotel will offer a “New Year’s Eve Countdown Spectacular” from 8:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. with dancing to live music in four themed rooms, by Poncho Sanchez, the John Anello Big Band with The Goils, Boy Howdy, H.O.U.S.E. and Tuff Enuff, along with a “Retro Inferno” room where a deejay will spin dance hits from the ‘60s through the ‘80s. $45 to $49. Ticketmaster: (714) 740-2000.

Interfolk will play during a New Year’s Eve Folk Dance Party sponsored by the Veselo Selo, starting at 8 p.m. at Hillcrest Recreation Center in Fullerton. $10, includes refreshments. (714) 254-7945.

Local clubs will be swinging with dancing to live rock, jazz, blues and country music throughout the county. Highlights include: country music by Cole Brannon at the Swallows Inn in San Juan Capistrano ((714) 493-3188); Luke & the Locomotives playing blues at the Heritage Brewing Co. in Dana Point ((714) 240-2060); the New Albino Ravens play R & B at the Canyon Inn in Yorba Linda ((714) 779-0880); the Bernie Pearl Blues Band with Harmonica Fats at Cafe Lido in Newport Beach ((714) 675-2968); the Nightriders playing country music at the Crazy Horse Steak House in Santa Ana ((714)) 549-1512; the High Desert Band playing country at Cook’s Corner at the mouth of Trabuco Canyon, ((714) 858-0266); Itzafunkthang! playing funk jazz at Randell’s in Santa Ana. ((714) 556-7700), and Stone Groove playing rock at the Fullerton Hofbrau in Fullerton, ((714) 870-7400).

The Roxbury nightclubs in Santa Ana and Beverly Hills are offering live music and dancing on two levels. Admission ranges from $20 to $30. Dinner will be available for two seatings, with prices from $50 for the early seating (7:30 to 8 p.m.) and $75 for the later seating (10 to 10:30 p.m.). (714) 662-0880 (Santa Ana). (213) 656-1750 (Beverly Hills).

Commerce Casino has dancing, a midnight toast and party favors with music by Tierra and the Sangria Band. $38 per person; an overnight package is available for $136 per couple. (714) 879-2100. Ticketmaster.

Dining

A six-course Italian dinner, featuring fagottini de funghi porcini, farfalle giardino de mare, mahi-mahi in umido alla veneziana, profiteroles ai chocolate fondente and more will be served at Raffaello Ristorante in Orange. Prepaid reservations are required for the 8:30 seating. $39, includes dinner, midnight toast, party favors and dancing. (714) 283-8230.

Osetra Caviar with souffleed blinis, black truffle ravioli with parsley beurre blanc, steamed salmon with lemon spinach pears are on the menu for a special five-course feast at Gustaf Anders in Santa Ana. There will be two seatings, at 6 and 8 p.m. $80 to $95. (714) 668-1737.

The Robert Mondavi Wine & Food Center in Costa Mesa will offer a “Vintage New Year’s Eve,” a 1930s-themed gourmet dinner and dance that starts at 8 p.m. $135. (714) 979-4510.

New Year’s Eve dinner cruises will be held aboard Hornblower Dining Yachts, which will depart at 9 p.m. in Newport Harbor. $100, includes dinner and dancing. (714) 631-2469.

Babouch in San Pedro serves a Moroccan New Year’s Eve feast of lamb, chicken, rabbit and couscous in a private room with champagne and belly dancers, $50. (310) 831-0246.

Border Grill in Santa Monica rings in the New Year with Mexican food and a Mariachi band; you can forego the traditional champagne toast at midnight and do a tequila shot instead. (310) 451-1655.

Catch the Old Guard of Hollywood at Chasen’s, where you can feast on cracked crab, smoked salmon, roast duckling and cherries jubilee and listen to Joe Marino and his Big Band accompany cabaret singers, $145 per person. (310) 271-2168.

Georgia, part-owned by Eddie Murphy and Denzel Washington, celebrates its first New Year’s Eve with Southern-style cooking. Seatings at 7:30 and 10. $75 per person. (213) 933-8420.

Kids

The Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim is offering a special kid’s party with a light buffet, snacks, Disney movies, supervised games and activities, Disney characters and more. Cost is $35 per child. (714) 740-2000 (Ticketmaster).

Knott’s Berry Farm is open on New Year’s Eve, with performances of “A Christmas Carol” in the Bird Cage Theater, sledding on real snow for the little ones, and fireworks at midnight. Tickets are $19 in advance and $21 on the day of the event. (714) 220-5200.

The American Ballet Theatre has its final performance of “The Nutcracker” at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles at 2 p.m. on Dec. 31. Ticketmaster.

And Finally . . .

If none of the above sound intriguing, try one of these alternatives:

“First Night Fullerton,” an alcohol-free family New Year’s Eve celebration with nearly 100 activities lining historic downtown Fullerton, including live theater, music, dance, storytellers, children’s activities and a fireworks finale, is from 7 p.m. to midnight. Tickets are $4 to $7. (714) 738-6545.

Elizabeth Howard’s Curtain Call Dinner Theatre in Tustin is offering a New Year’s Eve party beginning at 6 p.m. with a dinner performance of “Hello, Dolly!” followed by dancing and breakfast. $75, includes dinner, breakfast and champagne toast. (714) 838-1540.

Balboa Bay Cruises will offer a four-hour dance cruise starting at 9 p.m. in Newport Harbor from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. There will be dancing to recorded music, hors de ouevres and a champagne toast. $49.95. (714) 633-3201.

The Grand Hotel in Anaheim will offer a New Year’s presentation of itsongoing dinner-theater production, “Blondes, Blondes, Blondes” starting at 7 p.m. $85, includes dinner, show and dancing. (714) 991-8846.

Mystery Cafe will offer a special edition of its dinner-theater production, “Abra Cadaver,” from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Mezzanine Restaurant, in Marriott Suites in Newport Beach. $67, includes dinner, show and champagne toast. (800) 953-2583.

Downtown Los Angeles’ New Otani Hotel offers a New Year’s Eve Japanese-style. A Japanese Toso ceremony includes the smashing of mochi rice cakes, long-life noodle celebration, kimono shows, martial arts demonstrations, a tea ceremony and midnight ringing of gongs. Plus, you can work out the tensions of the old year with a private shiatsu massage, included in the price. $300 to $400 per couple, depending on the room. (213) 629-1200.

The Sierra Club’s fourth annual Welcome in the New Year Hike in the Santa Monica Mountains gives you a good view of the lights of Los Angeles. Hikers should bring goodies, champagne or cups for four to six people, a jacket and comfortable shoes for the walk. Meet at 9:45 p.m. at Trailer Canyon fire road in Pacific Palisades. (213) 387-4287.

Heli-USA Helicopter Adventures offers a New Year’s Eve package, including dinner at downtown’s Tower Restaurant and an aerial tour of Los Angeles-area landmarks. Included is a round-trip limo ride, so you don’t have to park. $299 per person. (310) 391-1358.

The Brunswick Matador Bowl in Northridge holds its annual New Year’s Eve party, with a cold-cut supper, a midnight supper of scrambled eggs, sausage and biscuits and door prizes for high scorers, $20 per person. (818) 892-8677.

Finally, it may not be a party, but movie buffs won’t want to miss the New Year’s Eve/New Year’s Day presentation of Buster Keaton’s classic “Steamboat Bill Jr.,” with three Keaton short films, at the Silent Movie theater in L.A. at 8 p.m. both nights. (213) 653-2389.