9 pm: Pop Music

“Bills, Bills, Bills” indeed. . . . Super-hot hit-makers Destiny’s Child bring their sassy take on the battle of the sexes to Staples Center, headlining a Shaq-hosted New Year’s Eve event. But mothball the sweatshirts--men must wear tuxes or suits, and women formal gowns or dresses.

* Destiny’s Child, Mystikal, Next, Jon B., Ideal, Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St., L.A., 9 p.m. $100 to $400. (213) 742-7340.

8 & 10 pm: Comedy

Kent Skov’s L.A. Connection presents its doubleheader, “New Year’s Eve Celebration 2001,” featuring the Mad Movies Veteran All-Stars, CableACE Award nominees in 1994, movie-dubbing clips, sketch comedy and improv, plus party favors and prizes.

* “The L.A. Connection’s New Year’s Eve Celebration 2001,” L.A. Connection Theatre, 13442 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, 8 and 10 p.m. $15 (8 p.m. show) and $20 (10 p.m. show). Both shows: $30. (818) 784-1868.

9 pm: Pop Music

For a New Year’s Eve with a down-to-earth vibe, the best option may be Spaceland, where the seriously rocking, searingly soulful Southern California band the BellRays does the honors.

* BellRays, with the Lords of Altamont and the Excessories, Spaceland, 1717 Silver Lake Blvd., L.A., 9 p.m. $12. (213) 833-2843.

9 pm: Theater

After its Y2K break last year, the Actors’ Gang’s annual New Year’s Eve fund-raiser is back. This year, the Gang’s “A Black and White Ball” will transport party-goers back to 1960s Manhattan, the heyday of Truman Capote and the literary socialites. The event features scads of offbeat things to do and see, plus music by the Midnighters, with front man Chris Wells and Tenacious D’s Kyle “K.G.” Gass on guitar.

* “A Black and White Ball,” Actors’ Gang Theater, 6209 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood, 9 p.m. $30-$40. Donations are tax-deductible. (323) 465-0566, Ext. 2.

9:30 pm: Comedy

The Groundlings comedy improv troupe rings in the New Year with a special evening of sketches and improv, “Out With the Old, In With the Groundlings.” It starts with a cocktail reception and ends with a midnight dinner buffet.

* “Out With the Old, In With the Groundlings,” Groundling Theatre, 7307 Melrose Ave., L.A., Sunday at 9:30 p.m. $75. (323) 934-9700.

8 & 10 pm: Jazz

Tolu, an 11-piece Latin jazz band fronted by Justo Almario and Alex Acuna, will usher in the new year with two shows. Party early, party late or simply party all night long.

Tolu, the Jazz Bakery, 3233 Helms Ave., Culver City, 8 p.m. party followed by 9 p.m. concert; 10 p.m. party followed by 11 p.m. concert. $99 each show, $175 for entire evening. Price includes hors d’oeuvres, champagne, wine, coffee and desserts. (310) 271-9039.

2pm

2 pm: TV Screening

You can’t miss Helen Hunt on the big screen these days, but if you long for her on the small screen, spend New Year’s Eve day with the Buchmans. The Museum of Television & Radio is screening a memorable holiday episode of “Mad About You,” the successful sitcom of the ‘90s that starred Hunt and Paul Reiser. In this episode, Paul and Jamie reluctantly spend New Year’s Eve apart as she attends a work-related function at Gracie Mansion and he films a documentary on the men who drop the crystal ball at Times Square.

* “Mad About You: New Year’s Eve,” the Museum of Television & Radio, 465 N. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, 2 p.m. Free. (310) 786-1000.

10:30 pm: Theater

Tchaikovsky’s seasonal classic, “The Queer Nutcracker,” given a gender-bending comic treatment in Adam Bock’s gay-themed comedy sketch version, ends its run with a New Year’s Eve celebration.

* “The Queer Nutcracker,” Celebration Theatre, 7051B Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood, 10:30 p.m. $50. (310) 289-2999.

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FREEBIE: Whether you want to avoid drinking and driving or want to avoid others who might be, Los Angeles is offering free rides on Metro buses from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. and from 9 p.m. until each Metro Rail line closes on New Year’s Eve.