Annie, Elvis and Jimmie 'J.J.' Walker Help Southland Say Hello to 2011

Palos Park

, 12960 S. La Grange, Palos Park, goes cabaret for one night this month.

On Jan. 7, the Neverly Brothers will take guests on a phenomenal rock and roll ride through the years from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m.

With their distinctive style, Kevin Giragosian on vocals and guitar, Kegham Giragosian, vocals and percussion and Craig Gigstad, vocals and stand-up bass (watch this guy) take chart-toppers from the past into the 21st century without changing the magic that made the songs rock and roll classics.

The Neverly Brothers, all south suburban natives, came together in the late 1990s and have gained acclaim throughout the tri-state area and all the way to California.

Reservations and more information are at www.miafrancesca.com and 708-671-1600. Anyone who wants to check out the band will find video clips on the official website www.theneverlybrothers.com.

Tinley Park

Longing for the soothing sounds of the seashore, waves caressing the beach and seagulls overhead?

Surprise! All that is yours, even as you sit here in Chicagoland's frigid South Suburbs, not particularly close to any shoreline.

Any visitor to  and Lobsters & Laffs Lounge website, www.outriggersfishhouse.com, will experience (after closing out the adman) the sounds of the sea while checking out news for what might be Tinley Park's most well kept secret, Lobster & Laffs Lounge at Outriggers.

Lil Rel, Kellye Howard of television's Comedy Central and Esau McGraw headline a 9:30 p.m. 18 and older show (21 and older to drink) on New Year's Eve.

Tickets to the lounge are $25 and there is a two-drink minimum.

Reservations are encouraged.

Starting at 8 p.m., cool jazz sound of the band Surge will keep the New Year's Eve momentum heading toward 2011.

Outriggers is located at 15917 S. Harlem Ave., Tinley Park, 708-342-2200. The comedy club regularly schedules shows that will go up on the website.

Tinley Park

They want you, maybe need you and might love you if you rock in 2011 at , 17265 S. Oak Park Ave.

Joe "Elvis" Tirrito brings Graceland to Tinley Park as he performs live throughout New Year's Eve and into 2011.

Talk about gala, guests who live within a three-mile radius and who request transportation, will travel to and from the celebration in a luxury limousine.

Durbin's New Year's Eve party is an everything-you-could-want event with open bar, appetizers, prime rib dinner, and of course, glittery party favors, a champagne toast at midnight and continental breakfast before you leave.

All the excitement begins at 8 p.m. and continues until 1:30 a.m.

By then, Elvis will have left the building.

Admission is $70 a person and call ahead to see if tickets are still available. Durbin's can be contacted at 708-429-1000. More details are at www.durbinspub.com.

Tinley Park

New Year's Eve takes  into Blues-land.

Chicagoland's Kingsnakes blues band, with frontman Jim "Ang" Anderson on vocals and lead guitar, kick-off the show at 9 p.m.

The very poplar Ed & Joe's, 17332 Oak Park Ave., Tinley Park, will, of course, serve up its award-winning pizza as well as a full menu of Italian dishes. The New Year's Eve menu also will feature chef's specials.

All that and Ed & Joe's remains casual and very affordable.

Here's why.

The New Year's Eve cover charge? Zip.

Of course, everyone will welcome in 2011 with party favors and champagne toast at midnight.

There's no age minimum, no drink minimum so the whole family can enjoy bring in the New Year together. Reservations are encouraged. More information is at www.ednjoes.com and 708-532-3051.

Tinley Park

Guests can go for gold or platinum at , 17358 Oak Park Ave., Tinley Park 708-429-7000.

With the $60 per person platinum package, starting at 8 p.m., guests will dine on filet mignon, stuffed chicken breast and enough salad and hot side dishes for a royal dinner.

Chicago's own The Walk-Ins will perform a potpourri of music, the proverbial something for everyone.

Hollstein's price includes a five-hour open bar, champagne toast at midnight, loads of party favors and coffee and dessert.

Reservations are suggested.

The shiny Gold Package gala at $40 per person begins at 9 p.m. with an open bar and "heavy premium hors d'oeuvres  – no wings or cheese sticks tonight," a hostess said. Dinner is not included.

A champagne toast at midnight and dancing to the Walk-Ins will round out the package.

More information is at www.jwhollsteins.com or call 708-429-7000.

Alsip

Jimmie "J.J." Walker of stage and television fame brings his Dyn-O-Mite self to Riddles Comedy Club for two nights.

The New Year's Eve show begins at 9 p.m. with opening acts Todd Link and Paul Digillio, followed by Walker, and includes a huge dinner with chicken, tender roast beef and all the trimmings for $45.

Walker performs again at 8 and 10:30 p.m. Jan 1. Admission is $12.50 (no dinner, two drink minimum).

Riddles is at 5055 W. 111th St., Alsip, 708-422-5055 and at www.myriddlescomedyclub.com.

Frankfort

She's back. The savvy little orphan girl with a curly red mop top returns to the stage.

Curtain Call Community Theatre presents the beloved musical Annie, opening Jan. 7 for four performances at , 201 Colorado Ave., Frankfort.

Based on the comic strip Little Orphan Annie that debuted in the early 1930s, the musical soared on Broadway after its 1977 opening.

Annie's spunk, as she works her way into Oliver Warbucks' heart, continues to touch theater audiences more than 30 years later. 

For this production, Allison Hefner and Carlyn Clarke (see photo) alternate the lead role, and Tim Hannig steps into the Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks character. The CCCT website contains a complete list of cast members and includes the two teams of youngsters who, like the two Annies, swap roles for different performances,

Curtain times are 7:30 p.m. Jan 7 and 8 with 2 p.m. matinees Jan. 8 and 9.

A suggestion for anyone who wants to attend: Buy your tickets soon. "Annie" is next weekend and CCCT tickets move quickly!

Prices are $19 for adults, $17 for seniors and students. Remaining tickets are available online at www.ccctheatre.com and at the box office, 708-699-2228.

Oak Forest

Chicago Gaelic Park celebrates a gala New Year's Eve beginning with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres at 7:30 and a five-course dinner.

Sean O'Donnell entertains dinner guests with Irish melodies, traditional songs and more.

Guests will dance to their favorite tunes provided by Tone Productions, billed as the "premier DJ of the Southside" while waiting for the clock to tick down to midnight.

Tickets for the entire evening, including a four-hour open bar, are $60 per person. Gaelic Park is at 6119 W.  147th St., Oak Forest. Reservations and further information are at 708-687-9323 and at www.chicagogaelicpark.org.