Live and Let '007 Die

As the waning days of 2007 tick away like Vicodins down the gullet of some rehab-bound starlet, so do your final chances of being bad. See, you've finally decided to cut the bullshit, buckle down, and stick to those troublesome New Year's resolutions you've blown off year after year. Which means, come January 1, your vice of choice (be it drinking, smoking, gorging, carousing, or all of the above) gets 86'd in the name of clean living (how boring).

But before you forswear your hedonistic existence, we suggest spending one final, decadent night devoted to debauchery. So we've created a select list of phat fetes and other bomb-ass bashes — from block parties to rock parties — that will be happening all across the PHX on Monday, December 31 (unless otherwise specified). So whether you're sucking down Mont Blanc with the Valley's elite, kicking it with some hip-hop homies over some spliffs, or macking on some top-shelf trim in Scottsdale, make it an experience you'll be remember well into 2008 (and not just 'cause Dirty Scottsdale's got a pic of you passed out in a parking lot).

SPECIAL EVENTS

AREA Phoenix
2102 N. 23rd Ave.
www.areaphoenix.com
"Masterbeat 2008" New Year's party and Global Circuit Dance Event featuring DJ Joe King on the record decks, as well as a full bar, and complimentary champagne at midnight. 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. (21 and over until 2 a.m.; 18 and over 2 to 4 a.m.) $45. Visit www.newyearsphx.com.

Arizona Broadway Theatre
7701 W. Paradise Lane, Peoria
www.azbroadwaytheatre.com
Cast members of Fiddler on the Roof and Crazy for You sing selections from both musicals, a jazz combo performs, and patrons can drink and sup during a lobby reception with hors d'oeuvres and a three-course dinner. Deluxe party favors, dancing, a midnight countdown, and a toast are also planned. Cocktail or contemporary formalwear required. 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. $130 per person. Call 623-776-8400.

Carefree Resort & Villas
37220 Mule Train Rd., Carefree
www.carefree-resort.com
EastonAshe's annual New Year's bash will feature a performance by the local rockers, party favors, champagne toast, a balloon drop, midnight countdown, and more. 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. All ages. Admission, food, drink, and lodging prices vary (with various packages available). Call 888-488-9034 or visit www.ticketleap.com for full details.

Chandler Center for the Arts
250 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler
The Symphony of the Southwest will be backed by soprano Lisanne Norman, tenor James Flora, and bass-baritone Andrew Gray when it performs a New Year's Eve concert devoted to Viennese operettas, and other classical selections. 7:30 p.m. $15-$45. Call 480-782-2680.

Celebrity Theatre
440 N. 32nd St.
www.celebritytheatre.com
Soulful R&B singer Keith Sweat performs a special New Year's Eve engagement. 9 p.m. $40-$65. Call 602-267-1600.

Dodge Theatre
400 W. Washington St.
www.dodgetheatre.com
Perennial New Year's Eve favorite Jerry Riopelle presents an evening of rootsy blues-rock, with support from The Tubes featuring Fee Waybill. 9 p.m. $32-$97. Call 480-784-4444 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Hyatt Regency Hotel
122 N. 2nd St.
The Atrium hosts a New Year's Eve dance party with high energy Motown and R&B music from The Groove Merchants, a balloon drop and champagne toast at midnight, light hors d'oeuvres, party favors, and more. Dressy casual outfits preferred. 21 and over. $89 in advance, $99 at the door (both include four drink tickets per person). 8:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Call 602-252-1234. The Compass Restaurant will also being serving a four-course dinner. $89 per person for adults, $40 for children 5 to 12 years. Call 602-252-1234 (extension 4510) for seating times.

Insight Fiesta Bowl Block Party
Mill Avenue District, Tempe
www.insightbowl.org
Countless college football fans, partygoers, and revelers will cram themselves into downtown Tempe for one of the Valley's premier New Year's shindigs, which always boasts a stellar mix of music, food, and fun. The 2007 version of the event features performances by more than 40 local bands, including Ellington Effect, Defy Tomorrow, Kindred, Crash Street Kids, and Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers, as well as headliners Barenaked Ladies. If that doesn't suit your fancy, there's also freestyle motocross jumping, an outdoor dance club, air guitar competitions, parades, pep rallies, food and drink vendors, the midnight countdown drop, and a fireworks show. 4 p.m. to 12:15 a.m. $25 ($20 at Fry's Food Stores). Call 480-350-0911.

Scottsdale's Ultimate Block Party
Craftsman Court between Third and Fifth avenues, Scottsdale
The annual Scottsdale New Year's Eve fete benefiting Maricopa County United Firefighters will be locked, cocked, and ready to rock, as six P-Town bands — Metalhead, Unlimited Phlavor, Violet Wild, What Laura Says Thinks and Feels, Pinner, and Dog Will Hunt — perform on two stages. Food, beverage, and street vendors will also be on hand, and a fireworks display goes down at midnight. 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tickets cost $35 for general admission (which allows access to Upper Deck Sports Grill, ACME Roadhouse, and Dos Gringos), and $100 for a VIP package (which includes a free buffet, a private lounge, champagne toast, and more). See www.scottsdalesultimateblockparty.com.

Sun Devil Stadium
500 E. Veterans Way, Tempe
The Indiana Hoosiers (7-5) will face off against the Oklahoma State Cowboys (6-6) during the 19th annual Insight Bowl. 4 p.m. kickoff. $20-$80. Call 480-350-0900 or visit www.insightbowl.org.