Celebrate the new year

From north to south, the city of Huntington Beach is closing out 2006 with parties, parties and more parties. Here are just some of the many events happening this New Year’s Eve.

Hotel Huntington Beach Dinner and Dance

Grab some grub and then dance the night away at the Hotel Huntington Beach, where more than just a countdown waits for residents looking to shake loose.

Dinner begins at 7 p.m., with five possible entrees to choose from. Not hungry? Skip dinner and show up with your dancing shoes on at 10 p.m., where a DJ will have top 40 hits playing all the way into 2007.

The party is free and includes hats and noisemakers compliments of the hotel. Dinner costs $25. For more information, visit www.hbhotel.com.

The Hotel Huntington Beach is located at 7667 Center Ave.

Martini Blues New Year’s Eve Special

Sure you want to dance, eat and chime in the upcoming 365 days with a glass of champagne, but why not send the old year out with a chuckle, a giggle or just some good jokes?

At Martini Blues Supper Club, that is the plan. Comedian Kira Soltanovich — known for her voice work as the “Photo Booth” on the Tonight Show — will perform from 8 to 10 p.m., leaving two hours for patrons to enjoy the other half of the club’s fame: the live music.

Dennis Jones Band and Hit and Run, deemed “the best cover band you will find” on the Martini Blues website, will both perform in one of the venue’s three separate stages.

Spend just $30 for the early comedy special or $75 a person and $140 per couple to get into both shows. VIP tickets are also available online.

“One advantage is if you do all of the above, you get two bands and comedy in one night,” comedy host Bill Word said. “I don’t know how many other places have that.”

Martini Blue Supper Club is located at 5874 Edinger Ave. Call (714) 840-2129 for more information or visit www.martiniblues.com.

New Year’s Eve Gala at the Hyatt Regency

Scale things up a bit and hit the Hyatt Regency Hotel and Resort in south Huntington Beach. The Betty Bennish New Year’s Gala, with dinner, dancing, drinks and DJ Johnathan Phillips, will close out the two-part holiday jazz concert series.

Sip some martinis to ring in the new year, dance until 2 a.m. and enjoy the ice sculptures. Organized by locals Corky and Betty Bennish, seats can be purchased for the show alone, or add dinner for the full-scale effect, Bennish said.

Experience the saxophone of headliner Euge Groove and the vocal talents of Christine Day.

“We’re thrilled. It’s our second year, and a lot more people know about it. It’s so elegant,” Bennish said. “We don’t have that many venues that elegant in Southern California.”

Tickets are priced starting at $175 and are available for purchase online at www.bbjazz.com or call (714) 377-7574. The Hyatt Regency is located at 21500 Pacific Coast Highway.

Rodgers Senior Center Dance and Buffet Dinner

Adults of all ages are invited to the Rodgers Senior Center near downtown Huntington Beach for this shindig, where there is not limit on food. From 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., hit the all-you-can-eat buffet and then dance those calories away to usher in the New Year with a champagne toast.

Tickets cost $30 and should be purchased before the event.

The senior center is located at 1706 Orange Ave. For more information, call (714) 536-9387.

New Year’s Day Pier Plaza Plunge

After all the New Year’s Eve parties, who could possibly wake up before noon the next morning and take a dip in the Pacific Ocean? Well, a handful of Huntington residents do just that on the south of the pier with a plunge into the waters.

Registration opens at 11 a.m. The actual plunge takes place at noon.