Spend New Year's In Style

Forget about New York's Times Square, because the place to be to ring in the New Year is Madison. Below is a glimpse of the events making up this year's millennium celebration:

Firstar Eve

Firstar Eve's new millennium celebration will take place at 23 parties throughout southern Wisconsin. Firstar Eve features a variety of fun for the entire family including magic, juggling, giant inflatables, swimming, scuba diving, ice skating, rollerblading and much more!

In Madison, you can celebrate this family-orientated extravaganza at different festivities located at the capitol square. From 6 to 10 p.m. the Madison Children's Museum will re-open it's doors for people who want to construct wacky, wearable spring art in the Boing! Exhibit. People will then bounce over to Monona Terrace, where the fun continues with music and entertainment.

In addition, the State Historical Museum will extend its hours on New Year's Eve to take part in "Firstar Eve" festivities. Folk singer David H.B. Drake will entertain with songs and stories of Wisconsin heritage, and Menominee/Potowatomi dancer and spiritual leader Art Shegonee will tell stories and lead visitors in a traditional circle dance. This event is free to all Wisconsin residents.

The fun finally concludes with a midnight fireworks display, "Millennium Booms," set to the best songs of the 20th Century.

Firstar Eve tickets are available at all Firstar locations. For information on Firstar Eve activities throughout the state, call 1-800-449-9EVE or visit their Web site.

Y2' Ya Know?

Start the year 2000 with Wisconsin Public Radio's Michael Feldman and his live broadcast of "Y2' Ya Know?" on December 31, 1999 at the Orpheum Theater.

The two-hour show begins at 11 p.m. and features an in-studio survivalist, music from former "Skeletons" Lou Whitney, D. Clinton Thompson and their band "combo.com," and a little bird will make some predictions for the next millennium. And for all you Y2K worriers, Feldman will have a generator on hand, just in case.

Tickets for this New Year's event are available at the Wisconsin Union Box Office, 800 Langdon Street, or charge by phone at (608) 262-2201 between 11:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Tickets are also available through the Orpheum Theatre Box Office at 216 State Street. Tickets are $20.

If you decide not to venture out on New Year's Eve, then tune in for the live broadcast on The Ideas Network of Wisconsin Public Radio. Check the Wisconsin Public Radio web site for your local affiliate station or to hear via the Internet. In addition, on Jan. 1 the show can be heard at 10 a.m. on the Ideas Network and 7 p.m. on NPR News and Classical Music Network during the regular "Whad'Ya Know?" broadcast times.

For more information about Michael Feldman or the "Y2' Ya Know?" broadcast, contact Promotion/Marketing Director Judith Heise Kovalic at (608) 263-9525.

Cascade Mountain New Year's Eve All-Night Ski Party

Ski or snowboard into the 21st century at Cascade Mountain. Eighteen of Cascade's lighted slopes will be open until 4 a.m. for the all-night ski party. In between runs, skiers can also enjoy party favors, music, and dancing.

Cascade Mountain is located at W10441 Cascade Mountain Road, Portage, WI. For more details call (608) 742-5588.

It's A Wonderful Life and Handbell Choirs

Remember the recurring line in the movie, "Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings?" Well, those angels better get ready after these handbell groups help ring in the new century with your favorite holiday pieces. The event takes place on Dec. 30 and 31 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Esquire Theater on 113 E. Mifflin Street.

The cost is $5 a person or $15 per family. Free snacks will be donated by Whole Foods Market with other surprises from prizes to radio personalities. This event is made possible by Bank One Wisconsin and the proceeds will benefit the Habitat for Humanity's First Women Build house in Dane County.

Call (608) 255-1549 for more details.

The New Millennium Train

Enjoy dinner at the Old Feed Mill Restaurant and a front row seat at the Madison New Year's Firework display! The train will depart the Wisconsin & Southern Railroad's Madison terminal at 6:30 for dinner in Mazomanie with a return trip to Madison to view the fireworks over Lake Monona! Call (608) 241-9767 for reservations.

New Year's Celebration & Benefit, The Pink Party

The Pink Party, annually held at the Madison Civic Center, is the Midwest's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender New Year's party. Last year, more than 1,200 people attended. The event features Chicago entertainer Michael McAssey, comedian Linda Lenzke, DJ Tony Ritschard, and Country Dancing with the Dairyland Cowboys and Cowgirls.

Tickets to the pre-event reception cost $35, general admission tickets for the Millennium Coundown Dance Party and Country Dance are $12. Tickets may be purchased by calling the number provided or at the following locations: OutReach, A Room of One's Own, Border's, Bongo Video, Home Environment, Designing Men, and Afterwords Bookstore.