Opening kicks

If you plan to ring in 2005 by listening to the dulcet tones of Regis from the comfort of your own sofa, this is not for you. But if you serenade the new year with music, celebrate it with art or usher it in with dancing, here are some New Year’s Eve suggestions. And remember to be safe and designate a driver:

City of plenty

New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas is an all-you-can-eat buffet of options. There’s megawatt star power with Alanis Morissette (House of Blues), Velvet Revolver (the Joint at the Hard Rock), jam band faves Moe (Cox Pavilion) and rapper Jadakiss (OPM). And there are the usual suspects in Vegas, including Celine Dion at Caesar’s and magicians Danny Gans at Mirage, Lance Burton at Monte Carlo and David Copperfield at the MGM Grand. The burgeoning Vegas club scene will also be hopping. Among the hot destinations: Mariah Carey hosting the opening of Pure, a new club at Caesar’s Palace; Pimp ‘n’ Ho’s shindig at Club Rubber at Seven, Summerlin’s 3rd annual Bash at Plush Lounge, with burlesque performances and DJ Hollywood, and a swanky soiree at the Bellagio’s Mix. And if you can’t decide, there’s always hanging out on the Strip with tens of thousands other revelers.

www.vegas.com

High gear

Expect heavy party traffic at the Petersen Automotive Museum, thanks to the efforts of promoters Jon Abrams and Mikey Appel, along with firms such as Velvet Crossing, 310 Events, Platinum Events and Hardball Productions. This sprawling affair will offer seven rooms of sw’elegance, with DJs Kev e Kev, Nik Nasty and Cool Whip stirring dancers into a hip-hop and rock-inspired frenzy.

New Year’s Eve, Petersen Automotive Museum, 6060 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. 9:30 p.m.-2 a.m. $100. (310) 234-1993.

Hollywood hot

Is there anything hotter than New Year’s Eve in a brand new Hollywood hotspot? With its party “O-Misoka 2005,” the dishy new Geisha House rings in ’05 with a saucy Japanese soiree, including a late-night eight-course omakase dinner (an elaborate tasting served up by chef Genichi Mizoguchi) and stimulating entertainment by the Geisha House dancers. Also on hand are live Japanese drummers and DJ Penelope Tuesday, who will be encouraging guests to shake their groove thing on Geisha’s rooftop Moon Bar.

O-Misoka 2005, Geisha House, 6633 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. 7 p.m.-2 a.m. $125-$175. (323) 460-6300.

On the floor

There should be plenty of heat at the Conga Room, ‘cause 13-piece salsa band Son Mayor’s gonna make you sweat. Conga owner Brad Gluckstein swears Son Mayor’s got the “baddest horn section in town.” Guests from New Year’s Eves past have included such fine dancers as Jennifer Lopez and Jimmy Smits (both investors). And you might want to get there early to join in on the four-course Nuevo Latino dinner downstairs at La Boca, where the La Brea Trio will be giving everyone a warmup.

Son Mayor, Conga Room, 5364 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. 6:30 p.m.-2 a.m. (Show starts at 9 p.m.). $65-$250. (323) 938-1696 or www.congaroom.com.

Fellini-esque fete

If the great Italian director Federico Fellini were to throw a New Year’s Eve party, chances are it would look a lot like “Sea of Dreams”: costumed revelers walking through an Art Deco hotel, discovering dance, art, DJs, live bands and circus and cabaret performers in every ballroom. Now, Angelenos get a chance to enter the Fellini-esque world. San Francisco-based promoters Anon Salon and L.A.’s own Dream Circus team up to present five rooms, each with unique performances from the likes of the Mutaytor, the Toledo Show and Jerome Oliver, among others.

“Sea of Dreams: ODDySEA,” Park Plaza Hotel, 607 S. Park View St., L.A. 8:30 p.m.-4:30 a.m. $75. (213) 253-0902 or www.anonsalon.com

Family friendly

An alternative to traditional New Year’s Eve celebrations that focus on alcohol and drinking, First Night Fullerton instead ushers in 2005 with children’s activities, art exhibitions, hot air balloon rides and live entertainment. The festivities conclude with a fireworks display at midnight. Hot August Night (a Neil Diamond tribute band), Sol de Alegria and Superlark will be among the acts performing at this 14th annual event.

First Night Fullerton, Harbor Boulevard between Commonwealth and Chapman avenues, Fullerton. 7 p.m.-midnight. Free. (714) 738-6545.

Deco does it

It’s Art Deco-a-go-go. Two floors of the historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, which was recently renovated by designer Dodd Mitchell, are being transformed into a Las Vegas-style casino and cabaret. Plans for the 17th annual New Year’s Eve Ball include burlesque shows, a four-course meal, six DJs and live music. The event, the brainchild of promoter Steve Dimon and his D.A.S.K. Productions, also includes performances by Cirque du Soleil-inspired aerialists, fire dancers, fortunetellers and body painting artists.

D.A.S.K. Productions’ 17th annual New Year’s Eve Ball, Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, 7000 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. 8 p.m.-2 a.m. $85-$175. (310) 281-8440 or (323) 466-7000. www.daskproductions.com.

Mountain mosh

Snow punks can pogo up to Mammoth Mountain for the Canyon Lodge’s New Year’s Eve Punk Fest, which includes performances by veteran moshers TSOL as well as hard-core thrashers Death by Stereo and the hot Ukiah band Love Equals Death. The show is a 16-and-older affair.

New Year’s Eve Punk Fest, Mammoth Mountain’s Canyon Lodge, 1 Minaret Road, Mammoth Lakes. 8:30 p.m.-2 a.m. $15-$20. (800) Mammoth or www.mammothconcert.com