All About Eve

Photo By: Anthony Sinagoga Photography

by Tami Fertig

WALLFLOWER POWER

You might just feel like staying home on New Year's Eve and sleeping in the next day. But you can't. See, Monday morning, people will want to know where you've been. They're going to insist on little details. To secure a tip-top reputation for the next year, you'll need to stroll around town and report back.

Logically you should start out the eve with a drink. A free one is included with admission to the interactive comedy cabaret, Early Night Out, featuring Todd Waddington's Harriett Levy and The Levites. Society Hill Playhouse managing director Deen Kogan says, "Harriett's like Dame Edna, only nicer" (Fri., Dec. 31, 7 p.m., $25, Society Hill Playhouse, 507 S. Eighth St., 215-923-0210).

When midnight rolls around, it's pretty standard to ooh and ahh at the fireworks exploding over Penn's Landing. For a more precarious viewing, try speedily skating over ice while gazing upward at the crucial moments (Fri., Dec. 31, 11 p.m.-1 a.m., $15-$25, Blue Cross RiverRink at Festival Pier, Columbus Blvd. at Spring Garden St., 215-925-RINK).

Or ring in the new year in New Jersey aboard a battleship. For five bucks, the USS New Jersey's deck is practically a front-row seat to the fireworks. And if you're a kid (or you have one), check out the overnight family encampment, which sounds rough, outdoorsy and exciting. Sleep in sailors' bunks, eat camp chow and get woken up by bugles early in the morning (Fri., Dec. 31, 5 p.m., $55, overnight encampment, reservations required; 10:30 p.m., $5, fireworks viewing; Battleship New Jersey, Camden Waterfront, Camden, N.J., 856-966-1652 ext. 203).

Banjo-toting Mummers will strut down Broad Street this year, and luckily, you can take little breaks from the cold in the Kimmel Center plaza. All day, there'll be live music and some very Philly snacks inside — soft pretzels, cheesesteaks and local beer (Mummers Parade, Sat., Jan. 1, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Broad St., north from Oregon Ave. to 15th St. Kimmel Center welcomes the Mummers, Sat., Jan. 1, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., free, Kimmel Center, 300 S. Broad St., 215-790-5800).

But what about the next day? Skip the Bloody Mary and head to the Peek-a-Boo Revue Burlesque "Hangover Show." The monthly variety act includes comedy, striptease, vaudeville and dancing — its New Year's Day selection ranges from a short play called "Vomit" to songs from The Little Mermaid and Singin' in the Rain. Afterwards, stick around for a dance party with Peek-a-Boo performers Christa D'Agostino, Tracy Todd Superstar and Heather Boa. Then sleep through Sunday and you'll be set for work the next day (Sat., Jan. 1, 9 p.m., $10, The Five Spot, 5 S. Bank St., 215-574-0070)