The party is under way!

Here's a list of some options for the calendrically challenged. Some of these may be sold out, but you can find lots more New Year's party spots at our event calendar.

Downtown

• Fire and Ice Celebration. A free extravaganza mixing the cool carvings of ice sculpture and the blazing excitement of fire-jugglers, fireworks and a 20-foot-tall erupting volcano, accompanied by live music from H3. Bring skates to the Town Square rink next to the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts. Show starts at 5 p.m., with fireworks at 8.

• Who's Afraid of the Great Depression? KLEF sponsors a swank and cheeky affair at the Hotel Captain Cook, inviting patrons to "party like it's 1929." There'll be two food lines, one for the rich, the other for the down-and-out, though you can graze at either. With smooth swing music by the Snapping Turtles Band starting at 9 p.m. and the traditional champagne toast at midnight, this will probably be the most elegant of the local New Year's parties. $100 per person. Call 248-2631.

• New Year's in New York. Walk the red carpet, visit Broadway or dance in one of New York's most exclusive clubs -- all at the Sheraton Anchorage Hotel starting at 8 p.m. This ersatz Big Apple experience will feature party favors and a light show with "the most popular party music and radio club hits from today." Black and white colors are encouraged for this semi-formal event. Baggy pants, T-shirts, baseball caps and jeans or denim will not be permitted. Also, it's a 21-and-older event. $50 gets you in. Buy your own food and drinks. Call for reservations, 222-2926.

• Russian New Year's Masquerade Party. The Russian Cultural Center presents a colorful evening of surprises, jokes, contests, performances, dancing and -- need we say? -- Russian cuisine. Doors open at 8, show starts at 9, in the Kodiak Banquet Room at Howard Johnson's. Tickets are $75 and include hors d'oeuvres, dinner and two drinks. Call 775-2237.

Spenard

• Clinton Fearon. Reggae legend Clinton Fearon and The Boogie Brown Band bring the party to the Bear Tooth Theatrepub, starting at 7 p.m. Ages 21 and up. Tickets are $30. Call 276-4200.

• Chilkoot Charlie's. There's plenty of action in the Historic Heart of Spenard, where staying up past midnight is a way of life. 'Koots will have wall-to-wall live music featuring Aclarion, DJ $inner, DJ Lefty and special concert performance. Admission is $15. Call 272-1010.

Mountain View

• Bus Ride to 2010. Join the party-bound at MTS Gallery, 3142 Mountain View Drivr, at 7 p.m. Head to a private home, gallery and studio for appetizers, to view artwork, turtles and an owl and take a stroll around Sand Lake. Then move on to an amazing duplex designed by Black + White Studio Architects. Just in time for midnight, the bus will roll back to MTS for delicious catering by Crush and music by Reverse Retro. Total price is $75. E-mail igca@alaskalife.net. Sponsored by the International Gallery, Alaska Design Forum and MTS.

• New Year's Eve Rock and Bowl. Put on your dancing shoes and come on down to Lucky Strike Lanes & Lounge, 151 Park Lane. The Texas Blues Hippy, T. Harvey, will be wailing away with his combo in the lounge starting at 9 p.m. No cover for this fling, folks. And if you get totally turned around on Dec. 31, no sweat -- this New Year's party will start up all over again at 9 p.m. on Jan. 2.

Girdwood

• Torchlight Parade and Fireworks Display. In New Year's Eve tradition unmatched anywhere else in the state, skiers and snowboarders traverse the slopes of Mount Alyeska with torches attached to bamboo poles, lighting up the mountain with a red glow starting at 8 p.m. One of the biggest fireworks displays in Alaska takes place immediately following this spectacular parade, all visible from the Alyeska Resort. At 10 p.m., head into the resort's Sitzmark Bar & Grill to hear live music by Jerry Joseph and the Jackmormons. Admission is $20. Call 754-2275

Seward

• New Year's Eve Statehood Ball. The Seward Arts Council hosts a New Year's Eve Ball that doubles as the final celebration in Seward for Alaska's 50th birthday. "A Toast to 50 Years, a Toast to 50 More" is a family friendly event, appropriate for all ages. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. at the Alaska Railroad Seward Cruise Ship Terminal. Admission is $15 at the door; advance tickets may still be available for $10. Call 907-362-1394.

Wasilla

• On the Lake. Nashville entertainer Craig Collins joins Alaska troubadour Hobo Jim at the Mat-Su Lodge, 1850 Bogard Road. The big bonus here is a fireworks display right over Wasilla Lake. Tickets are $10.

Whittier

• LuLu Small and The Small Band. If you really want to get away from the rest of the world on New Year's Eve, you can't do any better than the Inn at Whittier. LuLu Small and her all-woman band will play your favorite classic rock and blues starting at 9 p.m. to take you to midnight. Greet the first dawn of 2010 with breakfast in a beautiful waterfront setting. Find out more by calling 907-472-3200.

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Find Mike Dunham online at adn.com/contact/mdunham or call 257-4332.