Midnight marauders

Before you head out to celebrate the last sparkling moments of 2011, you need the perfect party apparel. Here, model Iman Payne shows off three ways to shine in dresses from local boutiques. (All photos shot in The Market Place Restaurant’s new bar and lounge — check the roundup below for The Market Place’s New Year’s Eve events.)

Next, you need the perfect party. Xpress has a list of some of the Asheville area’s best bets for seeing in 2012 in style. Get a complete list at http://www.mountainx.com.

The Get Down holds a Rock & Soul New Year's with The Unholy Trio, The Treatment, The Vaygues, DJ Lorruh and Ryan Sheffield. 7 p.m. https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Get-Down/118631928177372.

Start the new year on an ecstatic note: The New Year’s Eve Celebration of Kirtan & Dance features a kirtan (devotional chanting) with Sangita Devi, an interactive group ceremony to create intention and an ecstatic dance party DJed by Robert Kochka. Held at Laughing Waters Retreat Center in Gerton, N.C. The event begins at 7 p.m., $15 in advance or $25 at the door. Camping and overnight room options are available for an additional fee. http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/216492. 

If dancing, music and a midnight community prayer sounds like your kind of party, join Kat Williams’ Rockin’ New Years’ Eve Celebration at Jubilee! No alcohol will be sold, but there will be two bands joining Williams and, according to the Facebook invite, “the net proceeds will be donated to keep people warm this winter.” 7 p.m., $20 per person. Advance ticketing info: katwilliams@live.com.

The new year comes early at Tressa's Downtown Jazz and Blues, as well. The club's annual fete kicks off at 7:30 and includes music by The Charles Walker Band, a balloon drop, a champagne toast and a buffet. $25. http://www.tressas.com.

Firecracker Jazz Band (fresh off a Kennedy Center appearance) plays the New Year's Eve party at White Horse Black Mountain. Show starts at 8 p.m. with a champagne toast at midnight. $25. http://www.whitehorseblackmountain.com.

The Grove House complex throws a lavish party on three floors. Hors d'oeuvres, champagne toasts, balloon drops and prizes are just part of the fun. Each of the Grove House's clubs — Eleven on Grove, Scandals and The Boiler Room — host events. 8 p.m., ages 18+. $25. http://www.thegrovehouse.com/gh_special_events.htm.

At The Old Farmer's Ball, contra dancers can Gypsy meltdown (if you go, you know) the night away to the music of Perpetual eMotion. The theme of the party is Cowboys, Aliens and Ninjas; dress accordingly. And bring a dish to share. 8 p.m.-12:30 a.m. at Warren Wilson College. $28 at the door. http://www.oldfarmersball.com/NewYearsEve.

The Countdown to 2012 begins at Pack’s Tavern at 8 p.m. with two DJs and a champagne toast. $10 advance tickets are available, a $35 package includes the Century Room buffet dinner. http://packstavern.com.

Creatures Café promises a “safe, fun, alcohol free environment for young adults” and a New Year’s Eve bash, too. American Gonzos, River Rats, Liam McKay and Chris Wilhelm perform. There’s also an all-you-can-eat buffet and special giveaways. Ages 17+, $10 at the door. 8 p.m. http://www.creaturescafe.com/event/2011-12-31-new-years-eve-bash.

2012 AVL:NYE New Year's Masquerade is held at newly opened Metropolis (38 N. French Broad Ave., Asheville — formerly Club 828/formerly Nashwah/formerly Club La Cama/formerly Club Mix/formerly Club Metropolis back in the late '90s) hosts a lineup of some of Asheville's best DJs and electronic musicians, along with dance, spoken word and cirque performance. The roster includes PlayLow, Futexture, Marley Carroll, Medisin, Splynter, Olaf, Peripheral, FlyPaper, Sound Pimp, Numatik, Aerial Space Cadets, AVL Hoop Troupe, Poetix, Head in the Clouds Stilt-walkers Extraordinaire and Lisa Zahiya's Ohm Girls with visuals by Desky and Saturn Sheets, and art by Dustin Spagnola and Laura Sellers. Ages 18+, 9 p.m. start time. $15 advance tickets at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/215232.

New Year's Eve at Grove Park Inn is now open to locals with two options:  The Classic New Year's Party in the Heritage Ballroom promises a dance floor and sounds provided by big band group the Doug Burns Band; The Big Blast Party in the Grand Ballroom is all about contemporary music from Big Blast & The Party Masters. Both parties include a midnight champagne toast, both begin at 9 p.m., both are for ages 18+, both are $60 per person. http://www.groveparkinn.com/Leisure.

Head to The Grey Eagle to ring in the new year with roots sensations Acoustic Syndicate, headed by brothers Fitz Jr. and Bryon McMurry, and their cousin Steve McMurry. 9 p.m., $20 in advance or $25 day of show. http://www.thegreyeagle.com.

Brother Wolf Animal Rescue holds the first of what it hopes will be an annual event. New Year’s Eve Masquerade Furball is held at Celine & Company On Broadway (49 Broadway St.) and features heavy appetizers, drinks, music, local entertainment, a large silent auction and door prizes. According to the invite, "Dress code is semi-formal. Ladies: cocktail attire. Men: suit and tie. Wear a stylish mask or one will be provided at the door." 9 p.m. $40 per person or $75 per couple; all proceeds benefit homeless animals.

In case you loved 2011 and don’t really want to move on, there’s the Time Machine 3D dance party at The LAB. Ben Lovett spins tunes from decades past, and the decade changes on the hour. There’s also a photo booth, party favors and drink specials. $5, 9:30 p.m. http://lexavebrew.com.

The Shane Pruitt Band rings in the new yea at Pisgah Brewing. Pruitt describes his sound as “Throwback Rock’n’Roll.” Three sets of music begins at 9:30 p.m. $10 in advance or $12 day of show. http://pisgahbrewing.com.

Billed as Sirius.B-Sides (you see where this is headed, right?), local faves Secret B-Sides (soul grooves) and Sirius.B (gypsy fusion) team up for “back-to-back sets of local deliciousness and party-rocking calamity” at Emerald Lounge. 9:30 p.m., $12. http://www.emeraldlounge.com.

Vertigo Jazz Project has, for years now, bridged the gap between jazz, funk, rock, jam, classical and world music sounds. They'll also bridge the gap between 2011 and 2012 at MoDaddy's. The New Year’s Eve masquerade party gets started at 9:30 p.m. and includes Gypsy jazz band One Leg up, a balloon drop, champagne toast and photo booth. $15 or $10 before 10 p.m. (MoDaddy’s is open all evening for dinner). http://modaddysbar.com.

Toubab Krewe returns to the Orange Peel for an Afro-beat-influenced New Year's Eve show with openers The London Souls. 10 p.m., age 18+, $25.50 in advance or $30.50 at the door. http://theorangepeel.net.

"New venue, nu-Funk, New Year," boasts Asheville Music Hall. Yo Mama's Big Fat Booty Band headlines that show, with Sci Fi and DJ Brett Rock. 10 p.m. show time, $20 in advance or $25 at the door. http://ashevillemusichall.com.

The Market Place celebrates the new year in its new bar and lounge, with DJ Ra Ma spinning from 10 p.m. No cover. Or, come early for an a la carte dinner menu and music by Patrick Fitzsimons from 5-10 p.m. http://www.marketplace-restaurant.com.

— Alli Marshall can be reached at amarshall@mountainx.com.