Date Night: How to Ring in the New Year

Looking for ways to ring in 2012 locally or somewhere nearby? From a New Year's Eve party with Seth Meyers in Atlantic City to local First Night celebrations and some leftover holiday fun, there's plenty of options for you to celebrate.

Wellmont Theatre, Montclair

THIS WEEKEND: Dark Star Orchestra, immersed in a decade of conjuring the ghosts of the Dead while trying to keep the Dead alive, Friday and Saturday, Dec. 30, 31

BOOK IT NOW: Levon Helm Band, led by the iconic member of The Band, performs, Friday, Feb. 2, Singer-songwriter Matt Nathanson, Friday, March 2.

Check out wellmonttheatre.com for more shows.

NJPAC, Newark

THIS WEEKEND: No shows

NEXT WEEK: The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, 8 p.m., Friday, Jan. 6, Prudential Hall

BOOK IT NOW: Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration with Richard Smallwood and Tye Tribbett, 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 12, Prudential Hall

Check out njpac.org for details about these and other shows.

The Prudential Center, Newark

THIS WEEKEND: Seton Hall vs. West Virginia 9 p.m. Friday, Devils vs. Penguins 3 p.m. Saturday

NEXT WEEK: Nets vs. Miami, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 7

BOOK IT NOW: Take the kids to Disney on Ice: Mickey and Minne's Magical Journey, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 12 & 13.

Check out prucenter.com for details about these and other shows.

Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Madison

THIS WEEKEND A Christmas Carol, the staging of the Charles Dickens classic, runs through Jan 1.

Click on shakespearenj.org for details.

Shanghai Jazz, Madison

THIS WEEKEND: Emmet Cohen Trio performs with BILLY HART on drums, 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Friday, special New Year's Eve celebration with Grammy Nominee Catherine Russell Quartet and accompanied by a special tasting menu, 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. seatings.

NEXT WEEK:  Vocalist HERB WOODSON Blues Soul Quartet

 All shows 6:30 and 8:30. Check out shanghaijazz.com for more details.

South Orange Performing Arts Center

THIS WEEKEND: No shows scheduled

NEXT WEEK: No shows scheduled

BOOK IT NOW: The "Blues in the Loft" series inexpensive shows highlighting up-and-coming performers. Tickets are $15, 5 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 22

Go to sopacnow.org for more details about all shows.

State Theatre, New Brunswick

THIS WEEKEND: "Salute to Vienna," Welcome the New Year with Salute to Vienna, patterned after Vienna’s world famous “Neujahrskonzert,” for the 13th season at the State Theatre, 6 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 31.

NEXT WEEK: After re-grouping post their 1998 breakup, Toad the Wet Sprocket is back on tour and performing their mellow alternative rock at 8 p.m. Jan. 6.

BOOK IT NOW: Sing-A-Long Sound of Music. If you've ever wanted to be part of the Von Trapp Family, here's your chance. The 1965 musical movie will be shown at the theatre and now you can sing along too. Tickets are $22 for the 3 p.m. show on Jan. 29 but if you bring more than 12 people with you, you can get in for $17.

Check out statetheatrenj.org for more details.

Stress Factory Comedy Club, New Brunswick

THIS WEEKEND: New Year's Eve Party starring Comedy Central's Robert Kelly begins at 8 p.m. Saturday

NEXT WEEK: Comedy Central presents Bret Ernst Jan. 5-7

BOOK IT NOW: John Oliver, Jan. 12-14; Mitch Fatel, Jan. 9-21

 Check out stressfactory.com for more details.

Union County Performing Arts Center, Rahway

THIS WEEKEND: No shows

NEXT WEEK: Rahway High School Musical Theatre presents You're A Good Man Charlie Brown at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 6-7.

BOOK IT NOW: Haiti Lives On Benefit Concert at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 12. Tickets are $50-100.

Check out ucpac.org for details about these and other shows.

The Borgata, Atlantic City

THIS WEEKEND:

Fitz and the Tantrums, 9p.m., Friday, Dec. 30; New Year's Eve party with comedian Seth Meyers, 7 and 10:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 31.; PitBull, 9 p.m. Jan. 1.

NEXT WEEK: Rob Thomas is sold out for 9 p.m., Jan. 6-7, The Music Box

BOOK IT NOW: Frankie Valli, 9 p.m., Jan 13, The Music Box; Comedian Jay Mohr, 9 p.m. Feb. 3.

Check out theborgata.com for details about these and other shows.

Kean University, Union

THIS WEEKEND: No shows this weekend 

NEXT WEEK: No shows this weekend 

BOOK IT NOW: George Winston, 3 p.m., Sunday, March 4; Ravi Coultrane, 7:30 p.m., April 14, Enlow Recital Hall

Check out keanstage.com for details about these and other shows.

Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown

THIS WEEKEND: First Night Morris

NEXT WEEK: The Best of Broadway: The Songs of Andrew Lloyd Weber, 8 p.m. Jan. 6

BOOK IT NOW Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons deliver their impressive list of hits — and show those guys on Broadway how it's done — on Jan. 17, 18 and 19; Stand-up comedian, 30 Rock star, Saturday Night Live vet and all around funny guy Tracy Morgan performs at 8 p.m. Jan. 21 for mature audiences; Legendary crooner Tony Bennett brings his heart to Morristown, Thursday, Feb. 2

Check out mayoarts.org for details about these and other shows.

Scotty's, Springfield

THIS WEEKEND: New Year's Eve with Bob Dibuono and Doug Karpf, the double-bill features Karpf,the Springfield native and resident. Show starts at 9:30 p.m. Dec. 31.

For details and more information, log onto scottyssteakhouse.com.