Gone With the Wine

Sean Kelly

Transport yourself to the vineyards of France and Italy, to South America and Australia, at Gainesville's annual wine tasting and auction extravaganza, A Celebration of Wine, sponsored by The Wine & Cheese Gallery in Gainesville adopted the theme of "Gone With the Wine,"for this year's event. From 1pm to 5pm on Feb 21, guests can wine and dine on an array of samples from around the world. "Throughout the years, we've acquired many exotic bottles and rarities," says Wade Tyler, coordinator of the event. "Furthermore, we work hard to get different wineries to contribute.”

Wade expects about 500 people to attend this year, and about 350 different wines. Throughout the tasting, a silent and live auction will feature both wine and wine accessories, as well as vacation and dinner packages. All proceeds from the event will benefit Gainesville radio stations WUFT-FM and WJUF-FM.

A Celebration of Wine is held at the J. Wayne Reitz Union’s Main Ballroom. Tickets are $55 in advance and $60 at the door. Tickets are available at The Wine & Cheese Gallery, 113 N Main St., Mildred's Big City Food, 3445 W University Ave., and Wild Birds Unlimited, 4215 NW 16th Blvd.

New Year's Eve in the Ville

With more than half of the town gone, this New Year's Eve the city of Gainesville is your playground. We've compiled a list of the best NYE parties around town. Choose one, or branch out a bit and bar hop to all of them. But whatever you do, don't stay home to watch the ball drop on TV. You made it through 09 and into a new decade, you deserve a little celebration.

• Never one to skimp out on a good party, Rue Bar's, 104 S Main St., "Bringing in 2010" party is sure be wild. The $20 admission fee gets guests free drinks until midnight and free champagne and Red Bull all night. Expect balloon dropping, laser shining frenzies as Kiss 105.3 and DJ R3IGN lead the New Year celebration. Preorder tickets at The Network Promotions. 
  

• Lux Bar, 211 W. University Ave., might not have the Times Square New Year's Eve Ball, but they are bringing in NYC DJ Just-Iz for its "Night of Mayhem" fiesta. An $8 cover, also gets you a free drink at this intimate downtown spot. For non-drinkers, $4 gets you in the door.
  

• Party at 1982 Bar, 919 W University Ave., with Douglas Shields & The X-Factors, Tyler Black, MP3J Sterlo and DJoshua. As a New Year's present to you, all this heart-thumping, body-shaking live music is yours for only $3, so you can have your beer and drink it too!
  

• Be the star of the show at Common Grounds, 210 SW 2nd Ave, Karaoke with Hairy Karaoke. With an endless selection of songs and a Grade A stage, CG's karaoke nights never disappoint. If the strike of 12 catches you there, the staff will be serving up free champagne toasts.
  

• If good beer and wine is your thing, move your celebration to Alcove, 110 S Main St. where Michael Parallax  jamesDUNK  and Big Smile will perform for your musical enjoyment. Make friendly with the kiddies there, and they might just invite you to the 2010: Year of the Spirit Cat after party.
  

• The Bo Diddley Downtown Plaza will be offering a free NYE party complete with champagne, balloons and live music. Opening the show is Other Voices, a "folk and roll" band, followed by the headlining band, The Imposters, a Beatles tribute band. The festivities will run from 9pm to 12:30 am.