On the town for New Year’s

EYE ON ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Every year, the holidays are a little different.

Last year, I spent Christmas in Vail, Colorado, with my family. It

was wonderful snowboarding on Christmas Day, enjoying the snowy peaks

and great terrain. Vail village is like a winter wonderland with

beautiful ice sculptures and many lighted sites and trees.

Although I enjoyed myself, I am looking froward to spending

Christmas in Laguna -- Vail is way too cold. The white I am looking

forward to this year involves the white lights Downtown and the white

crest of waves. It will be great to be on the beach to enjoy the

holidays.

This year I won’t be with my family, so I will miss them a lot,

but there is quite a bit to do in Laguna Beach. ...

New Year’s Eve happenings

Ocean Avenue Brewery is a local hangout that has an artsy decor

and is a lot of fun. It’s having a New Year’s Eve Bash with DJ Carter

spinning ‘80s music starting at 10 p.m. Ocean Avenue is at 237 Ocean

Ave., 497-3381.

Mosun/Club M is having a New Year’s Eve Ball with a presale cover

of $30 and $40 at the door. It will serve dinner at 5:30, 7:30 and

9:30 p.m. There are two dance floors with special DJs spinning. The

restaurant and bar have a cool atmosphere, and Club M has some of the

best DJs in the world spin there. One VIP complimentary pass will be

given out for every $65 spent on dinner. They’re at 680 S. Coast

Highway, 497-5646.

Woody’s at the Beach, which caters to the gay lifestyle, will

provide fine cuisine and celebration in style. The first seating is

at 6 p.m. with a four-course gourmet dinner, $45 per person. The

other times to be seated are at 8 and 10 p.m. when a delicious

six-course meal is served. This costs $75 per person and includes a

free champagne toast at midnight, party hats and favors. Woody’s has

a wonderful atmosphere with an ocean view in the dining room and a

great outdoor patio with plenty of ambience. It’s at 1305 S. Coast

Highway, 376-8809.

The Whitehouse is seating for dinner at 8, 8:30, 9 and 9:30 p.m.

The great thing is that once you get seated, the table is yours for

the night. There’s a champagne toast and party favors at midnight and

the contemporary rock band Planet Now will perform from 9:30 p.m. to

1:30 a.m. The cost is $75 per person. The White House is at 340 S.

Coast Highway, 494-8088.

Marks Restaurant will have a celebration with a live jazz trio and

an a la carte menu so people can order whatever they desire. There’s

a champagne toast and balloon drop at midnight and no cover. Mark’s

is a popular spot for dining and drinks. I’ve heard its bartenders

make a mean martini. Mark’s is at 858 S. Coast Highway, 494-6711.

The Boom Room is known as the gay dance club in Laguna. It’ll be

having a grand buffet and $5,000 in cash prizes. DJ Ali and Lewis are

spinning, and at midnight there’s a complimentary champagne toast and

balloon drop. It’s $25 at the door. The Boom is at 1401 S. Coast

Highway, 494-7588.

These are just a tiny sampling of all the things that are

happening -- there’s the Marine Room, Hennessey’s, the Sandpiper and

many more, plus every type of dining experience one could want.

Pageant of the Masters casting call

The Pageant of the Masters is looking for women, girls, men and

boys of all ages and sizes to volunteer for next summer’s show

“Seasons.” Prospective volunteers will be measured and photographed.

Volunteers to pose in the pageant, work in wardrobe, headdress and

makeup are needed. The casting call is from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday,

Jan. 4; from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 5; and from 7 to 9 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 9. Tryouts are in the backstage area at the Irvine

Bowl, 650 Laguna Canyon Road, 494-3663.

* SUZIE HARRISON is a reporter for the Laguna Beach Coastline

Pilot. She may be reached at 494-4321 or suzie.harrison@latimes.com.