In what is one of the more unusual and fun traditions on New Year’s, at Key West, a ruby slipper (with a drag queen inside!) is dropped into the water, instead of a ball dropping, for New Year’s.

If you’re not going to a private party on New Year’s Eve or Day, here are a few gala events for women-only, boys-only, and some for those who don’t care if it’s straight or gay, as long as it’s fun and fabulous!

For those who can have fun in ‘mixed’ company, first night celebrations in major cities usually offer many festive venues at a reasonable cost.

Hartford First Night:  It starts at 2:00 p.m. with fireworks at 6:00 p.m. and midnight, a Teen Battle of the Bands, and dozens of multicultural events. This year, you’ll be able to buy your First Night Hartford passes online until December 18th. www.firstnighthartford.org.

Northampton (MA) First Night: The Center for the Arts and the Daily Hampshire Gazette once again present First Night. This handsome 19th-century town will be alive with festivities from noon until midnight with the rising of a magnificent new holiday ball from the roof of the downtown Hotel Northampton.  Most shows are offered twice, so if you don’t make to the first one, you’ll catch the second.

The fireworks display starts at 6:15 p. m. and will be followed by music and dancing, until the cannons are fired to announce 2009.  A bargain-priced admission button can be ordered at ncfa@nohoarts.org before midnight, December 29th.  Details at www.VisitNorthampton.net

New Haven’s 14th Annual Fantasy of Lights @ Lighthouse Point Park New Haven, December 31, 5 – 10 p. m., 2 Lighthouse Road. Cars $10, mini-buses or 15-passenger vans $25. www.newhavengoodwill.easterseals.com.  

Providence Bright Night: The sixth annual artist-run New Year’s Eve Festival will start 2009 with the electrifying Nerveless Nocks, a family of daredevil circus performers who are sure to thrill and chill the spectators.

Some of the other artists on the Bright Night bill include local legends Big Nazo Puppets, Celtic group Pendragon, bebop great Greg Abate, Grammy winner-storyteller/singer Bill Harley, a blues swing/dance party featuring the Black and White Blues Band, Superchief Trio, Carolyn Dutra Dancers, a Bright Night Poetry Slam, and a host of other artists and events.  Tickets are $10 each, if purchased in advance; $15 on the day of event. A full schedule will be available in early December on the Bright Night website, http://www.brightnight.org.

Foxwoods Casino, Ledyard, CT:  The Hard Rock Café offers New Year’s Eve Rocks, a 360-minute show starting at 10:30 p. m., featuring Darick and the Funbags. Tickets include midnight champagne toast, party favors, and band covers, www.webixs.foxwood.com.  

Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, CT:  Daryl Hall and John Oats will be headlining in the Arena at 8:30 p. m., At the Cabaret Theater, Kathleen Madigan’s unmitigated ability to take real life experiences and observations and turn them into sidesplitting jokes makes her stand-up performance a must-see.  In the Wolf’s Den, Boogie Wonder Band will continue to take the world by storm.  Over the last ten years, with their outstanding live show, they have built an impressive reputation and huge fan base throughout the world.  Details and box office at www.mohegansun.com.   

What’s up for the guys? Well, there are always plenty of special happening in the bar and club scene. Google the top ones in Hartford, New Haven, New London, Danbury, Waterbury, Providence, Northampton, Springfield for New Year’s Eve and Day.  For example Google “gay new year’s eve new haven ct 2008 2009.”  Some places refer to this New Year’s Eve as ‘2008’ and others use ‘2009.’ Who can figure! Adding the two years is essential when searching online otherwise you might get a 1989 listing!  

For the names and locations of bars and clubs, they’re all listed in each print issue of Metroline, and online at www.metroline-online.com.  Scroll down to ‘BARS’ in the left-hand column.  It includes addresses, phone numbers, and a few have Web sites.   

As we go to press, many clubs and bars haven’t announced NYE plans, but here are two that are set to go...

O’Neill’s Brass Rail, Bank Street, New London (CT) has Anya Genetaylia headlining the entertainment with her popular drag show and appearances by Aunty Nasty, Dhashia and Lea.  Everyone will receive a gift bag, which always includes a champagne glass, horn, mask, confetti, bubbles, and condom/lube pack. There’s also a free buffet. Drink prices never change for events! The fun goes until 2:00 a. m.  860-443-6203. www.oneillsbrassrail.com.  

Gotham Citi at Church and Crown Streets in New Haven has it Winter White Ball, a celebration of diversity.  There will be an open bar from 8:00 p.m. until 10:30 p.m., champagne toast at midnight, breakfast buffet, three dance floors, and live performances.  For table reservations, contact Robb at 203-627-7636. For more details, go to www.gothanciticafe.com and check out its Oz After Hours and Tuscano Restaurant.

The other recommended bars and clubs include New Haven’s Center Street Lounge, www.myspace,com/fucupfridays; and BAR www.barnightclub.com. And in Waterbury, CT, there’s Fletcher’s Café @ The Palace Supper Club.  www.fletcherscafesb.com

There are two women-only parties in Connecticut: SLAPHAPS (Senior Lesbians at Play Happily) annual New Year’s dinner and entertainment.  It will be at Sage American Grille in New Haven, according to spokeswoman, Kathy Lewis.  To be added to the group’s reservation, call her at 203-929-8113. The party starts on December 31 at 8:30 p. m. There’s no cover charge; just order from the menu.

The entertainment will be a Dixieland band with a sing-a-long and dancing the big night away.  www.sageamerican.com.   Kathy added: “All Lesbians are welcome to join us. Most of us are 55 and over but if you’re younger and like gray hair come on along. You can become a member that night too.”

The other women-only event is the annual Women After Hours (WAH) New Year’s Eve dinner-dance at the Holiday Inn in East Hartford. It’s reasonably priced at $55.00 each, or only $20.00 each for the dance. Dinner reservations are needed by Dec.18.  WAH’s discount price at the Holiday Inn is $89.99 for two, including breakfast on New Year’s morning.  

Owner of WAH, Chris Sesta, an award-winning film and TV director, says be sure to book early.  The organization has monthly socials and many special events throughout the year.  For details, go to www.wahdance.com.
If you want to get out of the cold, here are a few outstanding warm destinations that always have fabulous celebrations.  

Key West’s Gay New Year’s Eve:  Its highlight is a descending 6-foot ruby-red high-heel shoe carrying drag-queen Sushi outside the Bourbon Street Pub/New Orleans House complex, 724 Duval Street.  Also not to be missed is a pirate wench dropping from a tall-ship mast into the city’s historic harbor!  And all the go-go dancers in the male bars and clubs do it in the nude on this wild island paradise.

We highly recommend staying at the 4-star Island House for men and Pearl’s Rainbow for women.  These full-service properties are two of the highest-rated, gay-resort hotels in the world!  www.floridakeys.com.  

New Orleans:  Here’s what you get with a New Year’s Weekend 2009 Pass.  A preferred VIP entry to the Gay Bourbon Pub & Parade, December 31; FIRST DANCE and STUDENT BODY CONTEST, January 1; TGIF, January 2; SATURDAY MADNESS, January 3;  HUNG OVER AND BROKE TEA, January 4.  The Weekend Passes can be purchased in advance online for only $30 each for the four day of free-spirited decadence in New Orleans’s rakish Latin Quarter.   

All of the above are the places to go with old friends or out on your own - where it pays to depend on the kindness of strangers - anytime, especially New Year’s Eve and Day.

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