New Year's Eve in New York

Where will Pennypacker be? Helping throw a little absinthe-drenched shindig in Greenpoint. But you can go see:

• Gogol Bordello @ Terminal 5 - Most likely, the best show of the night in terms of the bigger parties. Instead of champagne though, you'll probably be drinking vodka mixed with the blood of a gypsy. Oopa!
  
• The Fleshtones; The Black Hollies @ Magnetic Field - Thee garage New Year's Eve show at NYC's garage headquarters. You can't go wrong with this one.
  
• Velvet Revolver @ Hammerstein Ballroom - Overpriced and mostly dull but then again...SLASH.
  
• Patti Smith; Alejandro Escovedo @ Bowery Ballroom - I still can't picture Patti being a party gal on New Year's Eve but she did sing the greatest cover of all time. So it's OK. And Escovedo is no pushover.
  
• Les Savy Fav (LATE SHOW) @ Bowery Ballroom - After the ball drop, this is the place to be. Well, it will be if everyone is sober enough to do it.
  
• Dean & Britta @ Maxwell's - Not much to say about it but they are really good.
  
• Dresden Dolls @ Grand Ballroom - This should be a good one, the right kind of flair for New Year's.
  
• Nellie McKay @ Joe's Pub - She can be kind of annoying but she's also probably a sweet gal to lead a toast at midnight.
  
• Yeasayer @ Shangri La - This one got posted late, this is the hipster cred show of the night, but that's not a slam at Yeasayer. Yeasayer is damn good.
  
• Slick Rick; Moby (DJ-ing) @ Studio B - The Sonic Parthenon party is literally around the corner from this fun gig. The legendary Slick Rick in the place to be, with Moby doing the DJ-ing.
  
• VHS or Beta (DJ-ing) @ Hiro Ballroom - Will VHS or Beta spin their own songs? That would be awkward but they should because they make excellent party songs. The band should be playing a gig.
  
• The Subjects; Ravens & Chimes @ Cake Shop - Ravens & Chimes just got added to the bill. These are two great local bands who are moving on up in the world so catch them now. Also, this show is FREE. In other words, this is THE gig of the night. Go here.
  
• The Big Sleep @ Mercury Lounge - Good beats for New Year's.
  
• Dirty Excuse @ Luna Lounge - If you're looking for an ode to great 70's arena and club rock, this is the one to go to.
  
• Dirty Projectors @ Knitting Factory - Another trendy act, so if you're feeling hip this is another spot to be.
  

When it's all said and done, go eat at the recently reopened 2nd Ave Deli which is of course now on 3rd Ave (Toid and Toity-toid to be exact).