Ring in new year at North Olympic Peninsula parties

Published 12:01 am Monday, December 31, 2012

The anchor will rise, and fireworks will explode in the night during the sixth annual First Night party in Port Townsend.

Activities — put on by artists, shopkeepers and the Jefferson County Historical Society — will run from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. Monday in and around historic City Hall at 540 Water St., and people of all ages are invited to join in.

Admission is a suggested donation of $5 per person or $10 per family.

Passes are available in advance at the Jefferson County Museum of Art and History, 540 Water St., and Monday evening at both the City Hall lobby adjacent to the museum and the Cotton Building at 607 Water St.

The finale will be the lifting of local artist Thaddeus Jurczynski’s lighted 6-foot anchor sculpture high over Memorial Field.

As soon as the anchor ascends, Dr. David Chuljian will shoot off the 25 comets, 60 shells and 50 “cakes” of fireworks.

First Night offerings are at the City Hall unless otherwise noted.

— Key City Public Theatre story readings for children, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., City Council chamber.

— “Fall Still Life Fantasies” art show by high School students, 6 p.m. to 0 8:45 p.m., Hildt Room.

— Port Townsend Film Festival Shorts, 6 p.m. to 8:45 p.m., Theater Gallery.

— History Hunt game, plus bell-ringing and wish-making for 2013, 6 p.m. to 8:45 p.m., Fire Hall Gallery

— Puppet show, 7:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m., Court Room Gallery.

— Cup Cake Walk game, with the Port Townsend High InterAct Club, 6 p.m. to 8:45 p.m., old Marshal’s Office.

— Children’s games from 6 p.m. to 8:45 p.m., old jail cells.

— Rock ‘n’ roll music with the Alternators, 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m., Cotton Building, 607 Water St.

— Songlines Community Chorus Sing Along, 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., Cotton Building.

— Contra dancing — no experience required — with Janolyn Keller, 6 p.m. to 8:45 p.m., Pope Marine Building, 603 Water St.

— Key City Public Theatre’s “Best of PT Shorts” literary reading for mature audiences, 6 p.m. to 8:45 p.m., Key City Playhouse, 419 Washington St.

— Hands-on quilt-making project, 6 p.m. to 8:45 p.m., Jefferson Community School, 280 Quincy St.

— Face painting and music by Airstream Traveler, 6 p.m. to 8:45 p.m., Elevated Ice Cream, 631 Water St.

— Dance party from 6 p.m. to 8:45 p.m., Boiler Room, 711 Water St.

— Anchor raising and fireworks at 9 p.m. at Memorial Field, 550 Washington St.

For more information, phone 360-385-1003 or visit www.JCHSMuseum.org.

For other ways to spend New Year’s Eve, consider this list:

Port Townsend

— Quimper Grange, 1219 Corona St., from 8 p.m. to midnight — Susannah Gals, the Rose Street Ramblers and square and contra dancing; suggested donation is $12; proceeds to go toward hall maintenance and improvements; some treats provided, dancers can bring food and beverages to share; for more information, phone 360-385-3308.

— The Upstage, 923 Washington St., 7 p.m.to 1 a.m. — Jim Nyby and the F Street Band; packages with meals range from $15 to $75; phone 360-385-2216.

— Port Townsend Marine Science Center bird migration cruise, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. — Leaves from Port Townsend’s Point Hudson Marina and travels to either Protection Island National Wildlife Refuge, or in bad weather, south toward Port Ludlow; $55 per person, or $50 for members of the marine science center, of the Burke Museum in Seattle or of the Audubon Society or Washington Ornithological Society; phone 360-385-5582 or 800-566-3932 or email cruises@ptmsc.org.

— Alchemy, 842 Washington St., 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. — Trevor Hanson performing.

— Castle Key Restaurant and Lounge, Seventh and Sheridan streets, 8 p.m. to midnight — Rickey Kelly Jazz Quartet; $10.

— Sirens, 823 Water St., 10 p.m. — Aardvark performing; $5.

Port Ludlow

— The Resort at Port Ludlow, One Heron Road — Four-course meal by nationally known executive chef Dan Ratigan with a welcoming glass of wine and assortment of hors d’oeuvres and a dessert buffet; dancing to Port Townsend’s Robin Bessier and the five-piece Porto Alegre band; tickets $150 per person at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/285467.

A night’s stay at the resort costs $75 (based on double occupancy) with breakfast the next morning on New Year’s Day; to reserve a room, see www.PortLudlowResort.com/reservations and use the code NYEVE.

Port Hadlock

— Ajax Cafe, 21 Water St., 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. — Mick and Barry play folk, country and classic rock.

Port Angeles

— Elks Naval Lodge, 131 E. First St., starting at 6:30 p.m. — Soulshakers performs; $40 per person or $280 for a table of eight; phone 360-457-3355.

— The Loom, 118 ½ E. Front St., 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. — Steve Grandinetti, Neal John Richter and John Sanders performs; champagne and party favors at midnight; treats from New Day Cafe; $7 cover charge; phone 417-990-0457 or email Sarah@TuckerArt.com.

— The new Eagles lodge, 2943 E. Myrtle St., starting at 7 p.m. — Haywire performs; $35 per person or $60 per couple including appetizers, party favors, champagne and dessert at midnight; phone 360-452-3344.

— Salsa in PA at Aglazing Art Studio, 207 W. First St., from 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. — Salsa dance lessons, dinner and party favors; guests encouraged to bring their own beverages; $8 cover charge; RSVP by joining the Salsa in PA group at www.Facebook.com/SalsainPA.

— Barhop Brewing, 110 N. Laurel St., 9 p.m.to 1 a.m. — Fat Chance performs; $10 pre-sell, $15 at the door.

— Bar N9NE, 124 W. Railroad Ave., 7 p.m. — Justin Scott Rivet.

— The Junction Roadhouse, U.S. Highway 101 and state Highway 112, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. — Testify performs; $15 per person, $25 couple, includes party favors and food.

— Elwha River Casino Players Club members — chance to win $213 New Year’s Eve from 6 p.m. to midnight; every half hour, one Players Club member with a card inserted in a slot machine will be chosen randomly to win $213.

PSequim

— Sequim Prairie Grange, 290 MacLeay Road, 8 p.m. to midnight — Live music by the Brian ‘Buck’ Ellard Band, silent auction, games, photos and food; no alcohol; $5 per person, $8 per couple, $10 per family; phone 360-683-5622.

— Elks, 143 Port Williams Road, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. — Old Sidekicks performs; $10 single, $15 couple, snacks available.

— Oasis Sports Bar and Grill, 301 E. Washington St., 8 p.m. to midnight — MLR performs.

— Old Mill Cafe, 721 Carlsborg Road, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. — John Erskine performs.

Blyn

— 7 Cedars Casino, 270756 U.S. Highway 101; beginning at 9 p.m. — Idol Eyes and Napolis in the Rainforest Bar; party favors, drink specials, shuttle service; no cover charge, see http://tinyurl.com/cjlcvzz.