Best Bets for New Year's Eve: Cook County Edition

Now is as good a time as any to start making New Year's Eve plans, if you haven't already. Here are just a few of the New Year's Eve celebrations that are going on in Cook County:

DANCE 2009 AWAY
Dance to the Teddy Lee Orchestra and Dan the D.J. while bringing in the New Year at the Willowbrook Ballroom in Willow Springs. The facility is offering a New Year’s Eve dance package that includes party hats and horns, refreshments and a balloon drop. Individuals also have their pick with a dinner and dance package that includes everything under the dance package, as well as shrimp cocktail, a gourmet salad, wine and your pick of entree. Dinner starts at 7 p.m. The dance starts at 9 p.m. Space is limited. Reservations are required.
WHERE Willowbrook Ballroom, 8900 S. Archer Ave., Willow Springs
WHEN 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31
COST: Dinner and Dance: $80 to $110; Dance only: $40 per person in advance, $50 after Dec. 30
CONTACT Willowbrook Ballroom, (708) 839-1000, willowbrookballroom.com

The Teddy Lee Orchestra at Willowbrook Ballroom's 2008 New Year's Eve celebration. SUBMITTED PHOTO

‘ZOO YEAR’S EVE’
Countdown the New Year with Radio Disney at Brookfield Zoo’s “Zoo Year’s Eve” celebration. The festivities begin at 6 p.m. with music, games and prizes at the Pavilions. A special early countdown begins at 8 p.m.
WHERE Brookfield Zoo, First Avenue and 31st Street, Brookfield
WHEN 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31
COST: $12 for adults, $8 for seniors and children; Tuesdays and Thursdays is free admission; parking is $8
CONTACT Brookfield Zoo, (708) 688-8000, www.brookfieldzoo.org

BON JOVI COVERS BAND ROCKS NEW YEAR
If you like Bon Jovi music, Slippery When Wet, a Bon Jovi covers band, will play into 2010 at Rolling Lanes Bowling Center in Countryside. The cover is $10 and includes the band, party favors and a midnight toast. Party-goers must be age 21 and up. Reservations are required.
WHERE Rolling Lanes Bowling Center, 6301 Joliet Road, Countryside
WHEN 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 31
COST: $10
CONTACT Rolling Lanes Bowling Center, (708) 352-7262, myrollinglanes.com

NEW ORLEANS, NEW YEAR
Seven-time Blues Music Award winner Marcia Ball brings her New Orleans R&B style to FitzGerald’s Pub in Berwyn for New Year’s Eve. The pianist, singer and songwriter performs at 9:30 p.m. Tickets for the show also includes red beans and rice, party favors and a champagne toast at midnight.
WHERE FitzGerald’s Pub, 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn
WHEN 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31; doors open at 8 p.m.
COST: $35 in advance, $40 day of the show
CONTACT FitzGerald’s Pub, (708) 788-2118, www.fitzgeraldsnightclub.com

A SPICY 2010
The Mambo Room Latin Grill is spicing up New Year’s with a buffet of its hottest menu items. The Ivas John Blues Band will perform at the La Grange restaurant from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Ticket price includes the buffet, band, two drink tickets (worth up to $10) and a midnight champagne toast.
WHERE Mambo Room Latin Grill, 25 W. Calendar Ct., La Grange
WHEN  9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 31 
COST: $30 per person in advance, $35 at the door
CONTACT Mambo Room Latin Grill, (708) 354-8100

Know of any other New Year's Eve events? Please feel free to add them in our comments box below. Thanks.