Five Things: New Year's Eve in Rocky Hill

Sweep into 2013 at the U.S. Dance Club Ballroom Dance party

It is perhaps debatable whether the words “ballroom dance” and “party” ever belong in the same sentence, but one thing is certain, U.S. Dance Club, at 38 New Britain Ave., will be throwing one classy soiree Monday night. Couples—or singles trolling for a partner—can begin twirling and dipping at 8:30 p.m. The ball will later take an intermission for a—surprise—ballroom dance performance, and then the general rug-cutting will resume and continue into the earliest hours of 2013.    

All that waltzing will surely make you hungry, so a bring-a-dish-buffet will be open all night on the sidelines. U.S. Dance Club also asks that you bring canned goods to donate to Rocky Hill's Food Supply and Pantry.  

Tickets are $15 per person in advance and $ 20 per person at the door. Call (860) 529-2888 for reservations. Black-tie and ballroom gown-optional.

Bounce into to the new year at BounceU!

Think of it as a metaphor. Everyone wants to start a new year with renewed momentum, and BounceU is offering you the chance to symbolize springing forward with their New Year's Bounce Party!   

Tots can get ready to bound into 2013 at the Pre-school New Year's Bounce, beginning at 12:30 p.m., after which the All-Ages New Year's Bounce will occur, starting at 3:30 p.m. The New Year's Bounces will feature New Year's-themed hats, noise-makers, and free cupcakes.

Finally, parents who want to celebrate New Year's Eve with both feet on solid ground and wish to do so while someone else is watching (and tiring out) their children can drop off their 4 - 12 year-olds at BounceU from 6:30 p.m. - 12:30 a.m. Kids will enjoy a bouncing start to the new year with a pizza party and a host of bouncy games. The cost per child is $35. 

Call (860) 529 -6500 to reserve your invitation to the New Year's Bounce Party (strongly recommended) for only $10.95 per bouncer. BounceU is located at 712 Brook St.

Start the New Year Happy at the Angry Olive

Residents who have driven by the Angry Olive and are the type of the individuals to think about such things may have wondered why an olive would be angry. For, again, if you are the type of person to think about such things, there is nothing obvious about the personification of an olive that would seem especially disagreeable.

But, according to the Angry Olive website, the story of the angry olive is one of alienation. Apparently, the olive was repeatedly being passed over in his native Italian village by villagers at the market who were coming to purchase foods for their Italian feasts.

Happily, the villagers eventually discovered the virtues of the olive, so it no longer wears a surly temperament. And neither will you if you come out to the Olive tonight for a scrumptious four-course dinner and a tasty musical performance by Lady K and the All-Stars.

The cost for the evening is $60 per person plus tax and 18% gratuity. Make reservations at (860) 257-8402. The Angry Olive can be found at 1625 Silas Deane Highway.

Celebrate your survival of the Mayan Apocalypse Italian-Style at Sorrento on the Green

The ancient Mayans may not have known their prophesies, but Italians have always known food and parties. And Rocky Hill, home to a sizable community of residents whose surnames end in vowels, knows Italian.

Embrace the town's cultural flavor with a buffet consisting of Italian delicacies at Sorrento on the Green. After all, you don't want to affiliate with Mayan cultural traditions for the new year. They got enough of your attention with their phony apocalypse.

The evening's cocktail hour will commence at 8 p.m., with courses beginning at 9 p.m. and served in progression. The turning of the calendar will be marked by the traditional midnight champagne toast, and dessert will close the night at 1:00 a.m.

Enjoy the pop and Italian stylings of house entertainer Tony Reali on piano and vocals as you partake of the great food and cheer. Sorrento on the Green sits at 600 Cold Spring Rd., next to Rolling Greens Golf Club. Please call ahead for reservations at (860) 563-7000. Tickets are $100 per person. 

Double Tap-Points and A Free Glass of Bubbly at Wood-n-Tap

If you prefer to mark the passage of another year with a simple, fun-but-relaxing meal out with friends or loved ones, head down Silas Deane to Wood-n-Tap. The establishment will be awarding double-points on its "Tap Card" customer rewards-program all day long. Tap Cards are also redeemable at Southington's TD Homers and Agave Grill, which has locations in both Southington and Hartford. Customers without cards can join tomorrow and begin saving before 2012 even ends.     

Wood-n-Tap will also give a complimentary glass of champagne with the order of every entree. Or those who would rather can toast 2013 with one of the restaurant's delectable Tappy Endings desserts.

Wood-n-Tap is located at 12 Town Line Road. Call (860) 571-9444 for more information. 

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