Parties, parties and more New Year’s Eve parties

Photo courtesy ExploreAsheville.com.

• The new year comes early at Tressa’s. 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.

• The Firecracker Jazz Band (fresh off a Kennedy Center appearance) plays the New Year’s Eve party at The White Horse Black Mountain. Show starts at 8 p.m. with a champagne toast at midnight. $25.

• The Grove House complex throws a lavish party on three floors. Hors d’oeuvres, champagne toasts, balloon drops and prizes is 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.

• 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. 

• 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 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 the 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 with 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. 

• Head to The Grey Eagle to ring in the new year with 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.

• Brother Wolf Animal Rescue holds the first of what it hopes will be an annual event. New Years 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.” $40 per person or $75 per couple; all proceeds benefit homeless animals.

• The Shane Pruitt Band rings in the new year 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.

• 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 with a with a New Year’s Eve Masquerade Party with One Leg Up. The show gets started at 9 p.m. $15 or $10 before 10 p.m. Mo Daddy’s is open for dinner all night.

• 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.

• “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 also performing. 10 p.m. show time, $20 in advance or $25 at the door.

• The Marketplace 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.)

• The Get Down holds a Rock & Soul New Year’s with The Unholy Trio, DJ Lorruh, The Vaygues and The Treatment.