No balls in 2010

Those who wonder why journalists don’t use “first annual,” Sacramento’s ball drop last year sums it up. More than 15,000 people packed downtown streets for the “first ever” ball drop in 2008. But alas, it’s a no-go this year, which kind of nixes the whole “annual” thing. No matter, there are still oodles of choices that will help you ring in the new decade with sass, including fireworks, five-course dinners, comedy shows and dance parties.

Barcode Nightclub: DJ Wreck, B-Trixx, balloon drop and party favors. 7:30 p.m., $13-$18.75, 18 and older. 1890 Arden Way, (916) 929-0232, www.barcodesac.com.

Blue Lamp: Punk rock NYE with Three Bad Jacks, the Secretions, Baby and the Problem Girls. 8 p.m.; $12 advance, $15 day of show; 1400 Alhambra Boulevard; (916) 455-3400; www.bluelamp.com.

Cafe Zorro: Jazz, blues and rock ’n’ roll with the William Mylar Band. 6 p.m.; no cover, dinner reservations required; all ages. 5911 King Road in Loomis; (916) 660-1612, www.cafezorro.com.

Cosmopolitan celebration: These folks plan to make you forget about the NYE ball drop with DJ Pat Allen in the Social Nightclub, dinner in the Cosmo Café and a performance by the Spazmatics in the Cosmopolitan Cabaret. $50 for access to nightclub and cabaret; $99 additional for three-course meal. 9 p.m., 10th and K streets, www.sac2010.com.

Empire: DJ Junior, DJ G.I., balloon drop and party favors. 8 p.m., call for cover, 18 and over. 1417 R Street, (916) 448-3300, www.empireeventscenter.com.

Fire Escape Bar & Grill: Pine Box Boys and Colonel Jimmy & the Blackfish. 8 p.m., $10. 7431 Madison Ave. in Citrus Heights; (916) 967-5464; www.myspace.com/thefireescapebar.

Five-course celebration: Chef John Gurnee will present a five-course dinner with wine, wild boar chops with smoked bacon, roasted beef tenderloin, sweetbread-stuffed Vermont quail and more. $50 per person for the 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. seating, $75 per person for the 7 to 10:30 p.m. seating, additional $25 for entry to Park Ultra Lounge. Mason’s, 1116 15th Street; (916) 492-1960; www.theparkdowntown.com.

Fox & Goose: The Inversions, Pushtonawanda, Richard March and more. 8 p.m., no cover. 1001 R Street, (916) 443-8825, www.foxandgoose.com.

Harlow’s: Utz and the Shuttlecocks. 10 p.m., $25. 2708 J Street, (916) 441-4693, www.harlows.com.

Laughs Unlimited: Featuring Brad Williams and Mark G, with a champagne toast and afterparty with a deejay. 7:30 p.m., $34. 1207 Front Street, (916) 446-8128, www.laughsunlimited.com.

Marilyn’s on K: The Mother Hips and the Parson Redheads. 9 p.m., $35. 908 K Street, (916) 446-4361, www.marilynsonk.com.

Ménage a Trois: Three ballrooms will feature a Bollywood Ball room, Top 40 and Hip-hop room and Local Electronic Love room with a variety of deejays, go-go dancers, fashion show and more. 8 p.m., $40 advance. Sheraton Grand Hotel, 1230 J Street; (916) 709-2578.

Old Ironsides: Lite Brite, Storytellers and Shades of Gray. 9 p.m., call for cover. 1901 10th Street, (916) 442-8832, www.theoldironsides.com.

Professional Guild NYE: Featuring Mercy Me, the Groove Thang and DJ Ron Davis. There will be champagne fountains, casino-style gaming, balloon drop and exhibits. 8:30 p.m.; $65 advance, $85 at the door; Sacramento Hilton Hotel, 2200 Harvard Street; (916) 772-7555; www.proguildsocial.com.

Palms Playhouse: Dance party with Tom Rigney and Flambeau. 9:30 p.m., $30. 13 Main Street in Winters; (530) 795-1825; www.palmsplayhouse.com.

Powerhouse Pub: Whiskey Dawn. 9 p.m., $15. 614 Sutter Street in Folsom; (916) 355-8586; www.powerhousepub.com.

Sky Spectacular: The perfect event for the fam: live music, food vendors, two fireworks shows (9 p.m. and midnight), Radio Disney Rockin’ Road Crew, a Jimi Hendrix tribute band and fire dancers. 6 p.m., free. Old Sacramento, Second Street; (916) 808-7777.

Stoney’s Rockin Rodeo: Dueling pianos at the front bar, country dancing in the nightclub, balloon drop, champagne toast. Dinner served 6-10 p.m.; $20-$25, $15 for dinner. 1320 Del Paso Boulevard, (916) 927-6023, www.stoneyinn.com.

Torch Club: Stacie Eakes and the Superfreakes. 9 p.m., $20. 904 15th Street, (916) 443-2797, www.torchclub.net.