2012 is just around the corner, and you know what that means: forgotten resolutions, the worst part of winter, and maybe even the apocalypse (depending on how much you trust the Mayans). But before we get to all that, there will of course be a bunch of parties on and around the 31st. Here's a quick look at what's happening across the continent this New Year's.
West Coast
California, as always, will see a plenty of parties leading up to the new year, especially in the southern part of the state. Two LA traditions continue, with John Digweed once again playing an extended set at the Avalon, and Sublevel turning 10 at a secret location with Doc Martin and Droid Behavior bosses Drumcell and Raiz. Meanwhile, Secret Cinema will hold hold their own secretly-located bash with Chris Flores, Santiago Salazar and Dela. For those looking to get the party started early, John Tejada will go Incognito at Spot 5750 on Friday the 30th.
In Anaheim, there's a couple of NYE options: if it's big room beats you're looking for, Paul Van Dyk and Kaskade are sure to provide them at the Anaheim Convention Center (before Kaskade jets to Las Vegas in time for a set at 11:59), otherwise check out Drop NYE 2012 for sets from Mark Farina, Nic Fanciulli and others.
Heading north, there's an eclectic range of choices on the 31st. Sunset and Honey Soundsystem will team up at Public Works in San Francisco, with KiNK topping the bill with a live set. If you're still up when closing time comes at 6:00 AM, check out No Way Back's morning party at Monarch, headlined by disco veteran Thomas Bullock. In Oakland, Dave Aju and The Missing Link will play the Game Over party, location TBA. Meanwhile, further north in Seattle, Decibel has events lined up at Neumo's for the 30th and 31st, with a diverse array of artists: Treasure Fingers, Pezzner and Hanssen lead things off on the 30th, while John Tejada and Lusine, both playing live, top the NYE bill the following night.
West and Midwest
In Denver, Bad Boy Bill and Dieselboy oversee a sprawling lineup at the Colorado Convention Center, while Derek Plaslaiko and H-Foundation top a house and techno-oriented bill at Encore, a secretly located party. For anyone looking to start the weekend off with a healthy dose of disco, Metro Area at Bar Standard on the 30th should hit the spot.
Chicago's got a glut of pre-NYE options: Four Tet will DJ at Smart Bar, Claude VonStroke and fellow Dirtybird J Phlip will take over The Mid, and Lee Burridge headlines at Spy Bar, all on the 30th. A few more UK artists will be on hand for events the following night, with Danny Howells headlining Smart Bar's NYE bash and Jody Wisternoff atop the bill for an intimate celebration at the House of Blues' Foundation Room. And then there's the local Kimochi label boss m50 (AKA Area), who will play the Mayan Apocalypse Celebration at Murasaki.
In Detroit, Interdimensional Transmissions and Gary Springs Hunting Club will throw a party in the "Mayan Underground" (location TBA) with Legowelt, while DJ Pierre and Tommie Sunshine headline Groove Asylum's Afro Acid Electric New Years Eve in Atlanta.
East Coast
In Miami, the party gets started on the 30th: the Electric Pickle kicks off the weekend with 8bit and Cecille boss Nick Curly, while Steve Bug and Mr C take over the decks at Treehouse. Then on the 31st, Wolf + Lamb and Soul Clap continue their Pickle residency with help from Tanner Ross and Deniz Kurtel. Meanwhile, Mathew Jonson's hard-hitting live set will ring in the new year at Eve for the Un_mute crew. Looking north to Washington DC, Deep Secrets and Stranger Than Paradise will collaborate for a secret party with Chicago DJ Kate Simko and Detroit artist Punisher, AKA Elora.
Last but not least, New York has plenty to offer on NYE, with a couple of team efforts leading the way. Verboten and The Dog & Pony Show will join forces for a two-room, 12-hour, vintage Hollywood-themed party at The Morgan. Tech house artists DJ Three, Lee Burridge and Danny Daze top the bill for the first room, and a more disco-centric lineup led by PillowTalk (playing live) and Thugfucker will take over the other room. Meanwhile, at a secret location, Resolute and Blkmarket Membership have curated a long night of techno: Stacey Pullen, Alexi Delano, Konrad Black and Quenum will DJ, and Adultnapper and Jordan Lieb will play live together as Lightbluemover vs Black Light Smoke.
New Yorker's looking for something more intimate can head to House of Yes, where Mister Saturday Night's Eamon Harkin and Justin Carter will handle the decks all night, or to Cielo for Basic NYC's bash with Sebo K. Then there's The Bunker Limited, with Delsin mainstay Newworldaquarium and Ghostly DJ Mike Servito playing in the Public Assembly Loft. At 833 Broadway, Matthew Dear and Daniel Brandt (of the German trio Brandt Brauer Frick) will both play DJ sets for PART's party, which will also feature a contemporary ballet performance.
There's several more events in New York to help expand the weekend. On Thursday the 29th, Danny Howells will play Cielo, while Machinedrum takes over Cameo Gallery, first playing live on his own, then with Praveen Sharma as Sepalcure. On New Year's Day, District 36 will open "early" (at 1:30 AM) for an extended set from Steve Lawler. At Pier 94, the Apocalypse with Victor Calderone and Boris begins at 5:00 AM.
Canada
Naturally there's plenty of action north of the border as well. In Toronto, Come Undone are throwing an all-night party with James Teej, Jamie Kidd, My Favorite Robot (location TBA) while DJ Sneak does his thing at Wrongbar. From 4:00 AM to 4:00 PM on January 1st you can catch Martin Buttrich and more than a dozen others at The Comfort Zone. Anyone over in Montreal can spend New Year's Day grooving to Axwell, Avicii and Gareth Emery at Bell Centre.
