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Apple Jacked: His name is DJ Tipper, and he saved Christmas! Where's the Party? First Night is scaled down to just a parade, but there's still plenty to do on New Year's Eve in Santa Cruz By Mike Connor Vacuums suck; that's why nature abhors them. And with the absence of the mega-planning powers of First Night Santa Cruz (which, except for the Grand Procession, has been cancelled this year), some smaller fries are stepping up to the plate with some plans of their own to roll in the new year. What follows is a brief list of parties to which you're cordially invited! All shows are 21 and over unless otherwise noted. First Night Santa Cruz Grand Procession Despite the financial difficulties First Night has been having, the parade must go on. The theme this year is "Animals, Myths and Magic," which dovetails nicely with my belief that everybody should dress up like Teen Wolf and dribble basketballs down Pacific Avenue. A variety of local artists, organizations and just plain creative folks are coming out to play in all sorts of whimsical animal costumes. Bring the kids and stake out a good spot; the procession starts at 5:30pm. New Year's Eve Super Shizzle What is a shizzle? My best guess is that it's a cross between a shimmy and a sizzle. Or a shindig and puzzle. Or a shingle and a nozzle. Whatever it is, two electronica groups--the Etch Brothers and Selecta 7--are going to make sure that it's deeper and louder than it's ever been before. In addition to the Catalyst's own booming sound system, they're bringing in four 18-inch subwoofers to get your shizzle shaking, along with singers, rappers, four laptops, two turntables and all kinds of effects machines. Special guest DJs will also be spinning the atrium. Catalyst; $15-$20; 9:30pm. Mighty Mike Schermer Allstar Band Just look at you, down in the dumps after all that Christmas mayhem. You've got the after-Christmas blues, chile, and Mighty Mike has got what you need to make it all good: Hot blues guitar licks, great tone, a smooth style, and an all-star rhythm section including June Core on the drums (Little Charlie and the Nightcats), Steve Ehrmann on bass (Roy Rogers, Coco Montoya, John Lee Hooker), and Dale Ockerman on the keys (Zigaboo Modeliste, The Doobie Brothers). Moe's Alley; $15-$20; 9:30pm. Submerge Submerge, Cruzers, submerge! Submerge yourselves into the depths of this benefit for the 418 Project, which helps keep electronica alive in Santa Cruz (among many other things). Once again the folks at Raindance have roped in a world class DJ for our listening pleasure: the British breakbeat whiz DJ Tipper, plus a slew of local DJs. And if you need to come up for air, head out into the heated outdoor lounge and watch a ritual fire performance, have some energizing organic snacks, and roll in the new year with a midnight countdown ceremony. Advance tickets available at Streetlight. 418 Project; $12-$15; all ages; 9:30pm. Britannia Arms Don't you owe it to yourself to live like royalty for an evening? With the VIP Dinner Package, you will be picked up from your castle in a chariot (or, "van," in the parlance of our times), shuttled to the bar, served dinner, dessert and champagne, entertained by the rockabilly/'80s-'90s modern rock cover songs of the Lovedogs, and then when you're all done carousing, the chariot will return you to your abode. The whole evening will run you $50 (if you plan on having only one glass of champagne, that is), but if you just want to carouse and listen to music, you can do that for free. Call 831.688.1233 for VIP reservations. The music starts at 9:30pm. Cocoanut Grove On Dec. 30, the Joe Sharino Band will kick off the celebrations early with a New Year's Eve's Eve Party. Tickets are $30-$35. But save some energy for the New Year's Eve Gala the following evening, featuring the Cool Jerks, Mark Russo and the Classy Cats, and Cut A Rug DJ Ray Apolskis. Gourmet buffet anyone? Dinner is served from 7:30 to 9:30pm, and tickets are $89. But if you're not hungry and just want to dance, you pay $59 in advance and $69 at the door. Call 831.423.2053 for tickets. [ Santa Cruz Week | Metroactive Central | Archives ]