People in the Permian Basin who are looking to ring in the new year with a party won’t have to worry about going to New York.
There may not be a ball dropping here but there will still be plenty of New Year’s Eve festivities around the area.
One of those events will be the West Texas Ultimate New Year’s Eve Party beginning at 9 p.m. Saturday at the Premier Ballroom located on 6482 W. University Blvd.
The evening will be filled with music and entertainment as well as a confetti drop with champagne toast, cold sparks and party flavors.
The entertainment will be presented by Artistic DJ and DJ Tony Lopez (aka DJ Old$kool).
This will be the first year of the event.
“We’re going to be setting up video screens,” Event Coordinator Manuel Balderas said. “It’s going to be a lot of music. We’ll have a video wall, showing the music videos and have the different graphics. We’ll do the countdown as well. It’ll be an event for people to go and have fun. It’ll be something different than your typical parties. Hopefully, it’ll take off and we can do this every year.”
Balderas talked about Lopez.
“He used to be the DJ at Tony’s Lounge,” Balderas said. “He was there for many years before they closed down. It used to be at the MCM Fundome. He plays a little bit of everything. He specializes in old school music. He specializes in 80s, 90s types of music. He’ll be playing a little bit of everything though. It just depends on what the crowd is wanting. It’ll be Tony Lopez and Artistic DJ, myself. I do events and weddings.”
With this year being the first time doing something like this at Premier Ballroom, Balderas is excited but also a little nervous ahead of this weekend.
“We’re nervous and excited,” Balderas said. “It’s something new. People are asking about it. We don’t know how it’s going to turn out. We’re hoping for the best. Hopefully, we can do it again and continue to do it next year.”
This year, New Year’s Eve takes place on a Saturday and Balderas is hopeful that that helps bring in more people to attend.
“I think so but it could also be a positive and a negative,” Balderas said. “You have a lot more places for people to go to as opposed to a Thursday where some bars may not open as early. We’re hoping that it helps us to have this on a Saturday.”
Premier Ballroom Owner Lupita Gonzales is also excited for Saturday’s party.
“We just want to provide people with somewhere that they can go and be safe and celebrate the new years,” Gonzales said.
Balderas says the party will have something for almost everyone to enjoy.
“We’re just hoping that people come out and have a good time and enjoy themselves,” Balderas said. “By us playing the music videos and having the video screens, it’s going to have a different ambiance. It’s going to be fun. We hope that we can do it again next year.”
For those who may not want to drink to celebrate the New Years, Freedom for the Basin will present an alcohol-free New Year’s party at 7 p.m. Saturday at Odessa First Assembly, 1101 N. Lee Avenue.
There will be a live performance by Inner Court and Big Perk, food, games, and prizes. For more information, visit tinyurl.com/5aebca45.
Another New Year’s Eve celebration will include Rooster’s Backyard, 6221 FM 307, Midland at 7 p.m.
For more information, go to tinyurl.com/yhw5x9w5.
The American Legion at 2701 East 8th Street is hosting a New Years Eve celebration starting at 8 p.m. Saturday in the big hall.
Johnny Blaine will be performing. There will be a champagne toast at midnight and a buffet with black eye peas, cabbage, brisket and cornbread.
Tickets are $30 per person or $50 per couple.
Tickets will be available at the door.
For reservations, call 432-332-5582.
La Hacienda Event Center, 12610 Highway 191, Midland, has scheduled Los Jilgueros del Arroyo, Los Marineros, Porte y Estilo de Ojinaga to perform at 8 p.m. Saturday.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit tinyurl.com/2zup6tvb
The Barrel & Derrick Restaurant, 305 E. Fifth St., has scheduled an Epicurean three course dinner accompanied by a Midnight Champagne Toast and Live Music on Dec. 31.
The time is the customer’s choice. Admission is $75.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit tinyurl.com/49sabkka.
DoubleTree by Hilton, 117 W. Wall St., Midland, will be hosting a New Year’s Eve event from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday.
Entry is $10. Entry, raffle, ticket, and champagne toast is $20.
Black and white theme. Visit tinyurl.com/38hcfwpe.
The Odessa Marriott Hotel & Conference Center will host a New Year’s Eve Celebration from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday which will include dancing, props, a midnight champagne toast, and more.
General admission is $35. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit tinyurl.com/y82rk6sz.
If you go
>> What: West Texas Ultimate New Year’s Eve Party.
>> When: 9 p.m. Dec. 31.
>> Where: Premier Ballroom.
>> More information: tinyurl.com/56vu6fn3
