Exit Laughing

Those of us who look for sociological trends in the way New Year’s Eve is celebrated spot one coming this year: Everyone needs a good laugh. Is there a more healthful way of facing down 1999 than by getting our funny bones tickled?

So we start this roundup of New Year’s dates with a selection of yuks, chuckles and guffaws, something not in short supply this year.

The Groundlings, that proving ground for “Saturday Night Live” and sitcom stars, revisit their best sketches from a year flush with parody at the Groundling Theatre in West Hollywood. The party includes dinner and one drink; (323) 934-9700.

Over at the Acme Comedy Theatre on North La Brea Avenue, lounge lizard Teddy Towne hosts the second annual Acme New Year’s Jubilee, with Adam Carolla of “Love Line” and “MADtv’s” Lisa Kushell and Alex Bostein. Includes buffet supper; (323) 525-0202.

The L.A. Connection Comedy Theatre of Sherman Oaks plugs in with bits, film clips and improv in two shows, 8 and 10 p.m.; (818) 784-1868. The Actors’ Gang hosts its usual costumed affair, this time with a “space 1999” theme. The Midnighters and deejays will provide music for assorted aliens and Buck Rogers types. No reservations required; (323) 465-0566.

Are you a stand-up guy? Budd Friedman’s Improvisation in West Hollywood promises more than half a dozen headliners in its laugh room; (323) 651-2583. The Comedy Store on Sunset Boulevard will have 8 and 10:30 p.m. seatings in both the Main Room and the Original Room; (323) 656-6225. You can celebrate along with the East Coast and the West Coast at the Brea Improv in Orange County, with 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. shows featuring Rocky LaPorte, a guy who’s even funnier than his name; (714) 529-7878.

Music and laughs come together at the Sportsmen’s Lodge, where comedians Pam Stone (from “Coach”), Rondell Sheridan and Gary Spears (KIIS-FM) share the stage with Billy Vera and the Beaters, dinner, Champagne and favors; (818) 755-5000.

Laughs also come at the theater, an imaginative way to spend some eve time. “The Last Night of Ballyhoo” with Rhea Perlman takes a laugh-at-life view of a German Jewish family ensconced in 1939 Atlanta, at the Canon Theatre in Beverly Hills; (310) 859-2830. There are 4 and 8 p.m. performances and for the mating-game spoof “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” at the Coronet Theatre; (310) 657-7377. Both shows have dinner packages available.

*

Comedy aside, the trend in goodbye-1998 celebrations is looking backward. Think of nostalgia as time travel, then set the controls for your decade of choice.

Twist your way back to the ‘50s with Chubby Checker at Cerritos Center, an event that includes cabaret or concert seating and dancing; (562) 916-8500. Or have Champagne at midnight with the Kingston Trio at the Alex Theatre in Glendale; (800) 233-3123. More mod than hootenanny? Tom Jones swivels into House of Blues with buffet and dinner packages (underthings to toss on stage not included); (213) 848-5100. How about seeing what the Busboys serve up at B.B. King’s in Universal City? (818) 622-5464.

*

Swing your thing? The Derby in Los Feliz will host Steve Lucky and the Rumba Bums; (323) 663-8979. Bill Elliott’s swing band plays the Coconut Club in the Beverly Hilton Hotel; (310) 285-1358 (there are Hawaiian music and dancers at Trader Vic’s, also in the hotel). Further back in time, you’ll find Johnny Crawford’s 1928 Dance Society Orchestra at Cicada restaurant, downtown L.A.; (323) 655-5559. Or waltz back a century with the Pasadena Symphony’s Strauss-filled “Salute to Vienna” at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, then indulge in pastries at the post-performance reception; (626) 793-2122 (also Jan. 1 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion [800] 545-7807). The Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza has its own Vienna salute, this one with the Conejo Pops Orchestra; (805) 449-2787.

You can float among musical periods on the historic Queen Mary in Long Beach Harbor. Big band, disco, jazz, salsa and top 40 styles will be played in seven ballrooms, dinner packages and buffet available, fireworks scheduled for 12:30 a.m., black-tie and life jacket optional (this isn’t the Titanic); (562) 435-3511.

Romantic tunes? Dancing? How about the Rik Howard-led ensemble Moondance, a harmonious crew that claims to know more than 2,500 songs, including yours, at Moonlight in Sherman Oaks; (818) 788-2000. Vocalist Cathy Segal-Garcia and sax quartet emote at the romantic Ca’ del Sole restaurant in North Hollywood; (818) 985-4669. Vocalist Kevyn Lettau shows her ear for Brazilian tunes at La Ve Lee in Studio City; (818) 980-8158. Susan Egan, the original Belle in the Broadway production of “Beauty and the Beast,” sings at the Cinegrill in the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel; (323) 466-7000.

Jazz? Hip singer-pianist Karrin Allyson leads her combo in special dinner-package shows at Hollywood’s Catalina Bar & Grill; (323) 466-2210. Big-toned vocalist Carl Anderson soars at the Jazz Bakery in two buffet-enhanced shows; (310) 271-9039.

The season’s longest party is the four-day event New Year’s Jazz at Indian Wells, Dec. 30 through Jan. 2 at different desert hotels, with 21 bands, 150 hours of music, performances from Etta James, Ernie Andrews and bluesman Joe Louis Walker and, on the eve itself, your choice of traditional jazz dance party or swingin’ blues dance party (hosted by one of Southern California’s greatest party animals, jazz deejay Chuck Niles); (562) 799-6055.

Hung up on a “Rocky Mountain High”? The Los Angeles Alliance for Survival throws its annual John Denver New Year’s Eve Birthday Party (the singer would have been 55) with live music and dancing, buffet, Champagne, speakers and John Denver video. Proceeds go to the alliance’s peace and environmental programs; (310) 399-1000.

Get a traditional south-of-the-border feel when the ambassador of Mexican music and culture, tejano star Little Joe & La Familia, appears at the Riverside Convention Center, with various seating and dinner options; (909) 920-9000.

*

Big gatherings of other types include the one at Disneyland in Anaheim, which counts down to midnight on a clock hung from Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. Party hats and noisemakers will be distributed hours in advance and Mickey himself gets into the act by climbing the castle tower just before midnight. Fireworks? You bet; (714) 781-4565.

Meanwhile, over at Knott’s Berry Farm, contemporary Christian bands rule in “Praise ‘99” with seven groups appearing around the park. Also available: midnight fireworks and free noisemakers; (714) 220-5200.

One of the nicer family events is Fullerton’s First Night celebration. This kid-friendly, alcohol-free event boasts 100 musical and cultural presentations on the streets of Fullerton, with a special emphasis on children’s activities. Fireworks top off the event at midnight; (714) 738-3167.

Long Beach also has its annual street party, this year held on the Promenade a block east of Pine Avenue between 1st and 3rd streets. Party-minded bands are scheduled, including Dave Alvin and the Guilty Men, Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys, Top Jimmy, Corey Stevens and others. Vendors offer food and drink, with a number of area restaurants participating; call Mum’s restaurant for info: (562) 437-5900.

*

Looking for magic? Ricky Jay and His 52 Assistants is Jay’s adult-geared act, in which he brings playing cards to life, at the Irvine Barclay Theater; (949) 854-4646. Or maybe you’ll find magic on a midnight hike high above the city lights in the Santa Monica Mountains. The annual “Welcome In the New Year Hike,” formerly sponsored by the Sierra Club, this year by UCLA, takes climbers into the hills above Pacific Palisades and to sit on top of the world at the appointed hour. With an optional potluck, it’s a very friendly affair; (310) 479-5717.

If mystery is more your thing, Keith & Margo’s Black Tie Murder Mystery Train rolls out of Union Station on the 31st bound for San Diego. The deal includes all travel, meals, beverages, favors, killings (complete with clues), parties and an overnight stay in the Westgate Hotel; (818) 785-7700.

Finally, for those who find parties, night life and laughter not the best medicine, may we prescribe a cheap date at home with your radio listening to the drone of Joe Frank’s sourly ironic tales on KCRW-FM (89.9), 7 p.m. Frank promises to address the “problem” of New Year’s Eve. If you’re going to be alone, you might as well be miserable.

* Club happenings, Page 50.

* Restaurant roundup, Page 55.