2001, a Fete Odyssey

It’s the end of the year; the end of the century; the end of the millennium. It’s also a bad time to be named Buck Rogers . . . or Hal. Hopefully, your parents were kind. But if you haven’t already made plans for New Year’s Eve, don’t worry. It’s not the end of the world.

Unless you’re thinking about renting a movie.

You do not want to show up at the video store at 11:45 p.m. The clerks will be cranky and every copy of “When Harry Met Sally,” will have already been checked out. Besides, Harry gets Sally. Sorry. But if you didn’t know that, you really do need to get out tonight.

What follows is a list of events to celebrate the new millennium, as they begin throughout the day, up to the stroke of midnight, and even one that starts in the 21st century:

“Welcome in the New Year!” a blessing ceremony with Leon Kalili. 2-5 p.m. Learning Light Foundation, 1212 E. Lincoln Ave., Anaheim. (714) 533-2311.

A British New Year’s Eve celebration, featuring Scottish bagpipes, will be held at the Olde Ship, 1120 W. 17th St., Santa Ana. 4 p.m. (714) 550-6700.

Missiles of October performs at an “Alternative New Year’s Eve Party” in the Marine Room Tavern, 214 Ocean Ave., Laguna Beach. 4-8 p.m. (949) 494-3027.

The Bayside Restaurant presents a dinner celebration, featuring the music of the Shelly Moore Trio. 900 Bayside Drive, Newport Beach. 5-8:30 p.m. $65. 8:30 p.m.-midnight. $85, includes party favors and dancing. (949) 721-1222.

Karaoke restaurant and bar Sing Sing features dueling pianos, a buffet, party favors and champagne. 5 p.m. Irvine Spectrum Center, 65 Fortune Drive. $25 to $55. (949) 453-8999.

The Crazy Horse Steak House features music all night with Gregg Topper, at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m., and Fit to Be Tied from 9 p.m.-1:30 a.m. 71 Fortune Drive, Irvine. (949) 585-9000.

Berlin performs two shows at the Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 6:30 p.m. with Redshift. $25.; 10:30 p.m. with Dim. $50. (949) 496-8930.

“First Night Fullerton,” an alcohol-free celebration, offers live entertainment, children’s activities and fireworks. 7 p.m.-midnight. Historic Downtown Fullerton. Parking at Chapman Avenue and Lemon Street. Free. (714) 738-3167.

Knott’s Berry Farm presents “Praise 2001,” with music by Rebecca St. James, All Together Separate, Pax 217, Salvador, Stacie Orrico, Mark Shultz, Basix and the Bonner Singers. 7 p.m.-1 a.m. 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park. $23 to $35. (818) 848-4496.

Music City presents a celebration featuring dancing to the Mixx. 7 p.m. 18774 Brookhurst St., Fountain Valley. $25, $45 with dinner. (714) 963-2366.

Film/television actor and comedian Jay Mohr hosts an East Coast New Year’s countdown at the Irvine Improv, 71 Fortune Drive. 7:30 p.m. $75 to $125. A West Coast countdown show begins at 10 p.m. $150. (949) 854-5455.

Highlights of a celebration at the Accents Atrium Restaurant include a four-course dinner, dancing to Gerald Ishibashi and his 10-piece Stonebridge Band, and a midnight champagne toast. 8:30 p.m. Sutton Place Hotel, 4500 MacArthur Blvd., Newport Beach. $125. (949) 476-2001.

“Tango Into the New Year,” a celebration featuring an open bar, an international food feast and the funk-jazz of Pappa Hipp Too. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Cafe Tu Tu Tango at the Block at Orange, 20 City Blvd. W., Orange. $99, or $175 per couple. (714) 769-2229.

Vessia Ristorante presents a dinner and dance with a balloon drop and champagne toast at midnight. 8 p.m. Irvine Crossroads Shopping Center, 3966 Barranca Parkway. $85. (949) 654-1155.

At an International Folk Dance Party, they’ll celebrate with a potluck dinner and a Scandinavian folk dance performance. Hillcrest Recreation Center, 1155 N. Lemon St., Fullerton. 8 p.m. $6. (714) 554-6271.

New Horizons Support Group will hold a masquerade dance, featuring prizes for the best masks, at St. Irenaeus Church Parish Hall. Formal or dressy attire recommended. 8 p.m.-12:30 a.m. 5201 Evergreen, Cypress. $15 donation includes four drinks. (562) 596-9027.

Dave & Buster’s presents a special mystery dinner theater performance with a champagne toast to follow at midnight. 8 p.m. 71 Fortune Drive, Irvine. $130 per couple. (949) 727-0555.

A New Year’s Eve dance for Christian Singles, with light hors d’oeuvres, party favors and mixer games, will be held at the Anaheim Convention Center, 800 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. $38 to $50. (714) 375-3385.

The Les Czimber Trio performs dance music at Gustaf Anders, 3851 Bear St., Santa Ana. 8:30 p.m.-12:30 p.m. $110. (714) 668-1737.

The Orange County Crazies present “Orange Lang Syne.” 8:30 p.m.-midnight. Proceeds benefit the Crazies Kidprovisation Program for Children. DePietro Performance Center, 809 N. Main St., Santa Ana. $40. (714) 550-9890.

Make yourself at home, at the Grand Ball 2001 at the Hilton Irvine with three ballrooms, two dance floors, a large outdoor smoking patio, masquerade masks, coat check and lounge areas. 8:30 p.m. 18800 MacArthur Blvd., Irvine. $35 to $40. (949) 263-4566.

The Hyatt Newporter presents the “Real Millennium” celebration, featuring a four-course dinner, jazz saxophonist Dave Koz and midnight champagne toast. 8:30 p.m. $250 to $350. $125 for concert and champagne toast, only. (949) 729-1234.

Kevin Cameron & the Pale Riders play at the Swallow’s Inn, 31786 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 8:30 p.m. $10. (949) 493-3188.

Singles International will hold a dinner party at a home in Lake Forest. 9 p.m. $40. (949) 855-2347.

The Salt Creek Grill presents a celebration with dancing to the R&B; music of Resouls and a four-course dinner. 9 p.m. 32802 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point. $95. (949) 661-7799.

The Hilton Anaheim will host dinner at its Italian restaurant, Pavia, and dancing at its nightclub, Pulse. 9 p.m. 777 Convention Way. $125. (714) 740-4599.

Lynyrd Skynyrd performs with Sunchild and Backbone 69 at Sun Theatre, 2200 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim. 9 p.m. $95. (714) 712-2700.

Maggiano’s Little Italy offers a dinner and dance with music by Doc Anello and his band, party favors and a champagne toast at midnight. 9:30 p.m. 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa. $25, does not include dinner. (714) 546-9550.

Edwards IMAX Theaters presents a free screening of “CyberWorld,” to the first 500 who arrive at 12:01 a.m. Edwards’ Irvine Spectrum 21 Megaplex, 8001 Irvine Center Dr., Irvine. (949) 450-4900.