Great Escape: 2012 Is Almost Here!

Local Happenings:

• There are still a few tickets available for the New Year's Eve Party at the , 1291 Hartford Ave. The Vini Ames Trio is set to perform at the event, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. An Italian style buffet with desserts by Marchetti's Restaurant, hats and noisemakers, a Champagne toast at midnight, and Continental breakfast are all included in the $40-per-person ticket price. Proceeds benefit the senior center. Call (401) 944-3343.
• Crush will perform from 10 p.m. until 2 a.m. on Dec. 31 at Part II Lounge, Plainfield Street, Johnston. Learn more about Part II Lounge and its event schedule at www.tonightinri.com/partIIlounge.
• Enjoy Karaoke on Dec. 30 at 9 p.m. at Crown and Anchor Tavern on Hartford Avenue.
• Bar 101 will host a New Year’s Eve Celebration on Dec. 31.  Tickets are $20.00. The event will feature a buffet including two cocktails and a champagne toast, along with live entertainment by Kevin Herchen. 
• Pozer will take the stage at Ball’s Sports Bar and Grille on Dec. 30. Ball’s will also host a New Year’s Eve Party on Dec. 31 featuring a performance by BlackOut. Both shows begin at 9:30 p.m.

Ring in the New Year:

• Enjoy the 2012 Bright Night Providence New Year’s Eve Celebration on Dec. 31. There are tons of things going on, including an Opening Ceremony featuring the Banished Fools and local dignitaries at the Bank of America Skating Center at 5 p.m. Tickets are $15 through Dec. 30 and change to $20 on Dec. 31. For details and a complete schedule of Bright Night happenings visit www.brightnight.org.
• The Rhode Island Convention Center will host the World Party 2nd Annual New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball on Dec. 31. The event is open to the public and begins at 8 p.m. For more event details and ticket information visit World Party.
• Enjoy continuous dancing at the New Year’s Eve Ballroom Gala on Dec. 31 at the Rhodes on the Pawtuxet, Cranston, from 7 p.m. until 12:30 a.m.  All the details can be found at Ballroom Gala or Rhodes on the Pawtuxet.

Take a Plunge and other New Year’s Day Activities:

• Oakland Beach Carousel Foundation in Warwick will host a its 4th Annual Seawall Splash on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1.  Check-in is at 10 a.m. and the Splash starts at noon.  All ages are welcome to participate.  For all of the details visit Oakland Beach.
• The 36th Annual Penguin Plunge to support Special Olympics Rhode Island will be held on Jan. 1 at noon at Roger Wheeler State Beach in Narragansett.  More details can be found at Special Olympics.
• The New Year’s Day Polar Bear Plunge takes place on Jan 1 at noon at Easton's Beach in Newport.  Come cheer on the members of the local Polar Bear Club as they take the plunge to raise money for A Wish Come True.  More details can be found at Polar Bear Plunge.
• Jamestown will also host a plunge to ring in 2012 at noon on Jan. 1. The event will take place at East Ferry in Jamestown from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.  Pre-registration is at 10 a.m. Visit www.jamestownpenguinplunge.com for registration information and other details.
• You can stay dry at the Roger Williams Park Zoo on Jan 1 and enjoy half price admission during its Zoo Thousand and Twelve Celebration.  Half price admission will be honored throughout the months of January and February 2012.  Visit the Zoo’s website for more information.

        If you’d rather be indoors:

• Disney On Ice will present Mickey & Minnie’s Magical Journey on Jan 1 at the Dunkin Donuts Center. The show will run from Dec. 28 through to the 1st of the year.  Visit the Dunkin' Donuts Center for show times, ticket information and other show details.
• The PC Friars men’s hockey team will take on the Brown Bears for the 26th Annual Mayor’s Cup on Jan 1 at 4 p.m. at PC.  Visit www.friars.com for more information.