7 spots to get your New Year's Eve party started

We're having a party this New Year's Eve — at the State Theatre in New Brunswick.

That's because Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes have relocated their annual NYE show from the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank to the State.

"It's time to branch out a little bit, I think," said Southside on Bert Baron's WCTC-AM show.

So after 15 years, it's adios. At least for this year. A spokesperson for the Basie said that the theater would like to have Southside back — and why not? He's got the hits — "Trapped Again," "Havin' A Party," "I Don't Want To Go Home," "The Fever," "Talk To Me" and more — and style. He's kind of like the Dean Martin of the Jersey Shore. All he needs are the Golddiggers and a fireman's pole and he's set.

The first 1,000 attendees will receive Southside Swag Bags to make the evening complete.

Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, 10 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, State Theatre, Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick. $40 to $90. 732-246-7469; www.statetheatrenj.org.

First Night

Morris County

First Night — it's what Morris County does for New Year's Eve, organizers say. There will be more than 300 artists and 80 performances in 24 venues within walking distance of the Morristown Green for First Night Morris County.

Highlights? The British Invasion Tribute will be playing all the fab hits and more at 9:45 and 10:45 p.m. at the Mayo Performing Arts Center on South Street; the Building Kidz team has LEGO Robotics covered, starting at 4:45 p.m. at the Morristown High School cafeteria; Random Test bring their roots rock reggae riddims to the Hyatt Morristown Terrace Ballroom on Speedwell Avenue at 7:15 and 8:15 p.m.; and jazzman Rio Clemente will be at the Church of the Redeemer on Park Place at 9:45 and 10:45 p.m. It makes sense as Clemente is known as the "Bishop" after all.

There is lots more. The whole thing is all-ages and alcohol free and filled with two fireworks boom-booms, 9 p.m. and midnight.

First Night Morris County, 4:45 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31, Mayo Performing Arts Center, 100 South St., Morristown; $20. firstnightmorris.com

A night — and a day — in Paradise

The party never ends at Paradise in Asbury Park.

It ever ends because the bar ain't closing. It's open for 36 hours straight from 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, to 2 a.m. Friday, Jan 2. Thankfully, there are room specials available at the adjacent Empress Hotel — $199 a night, so you don't have to drink and dive. Just party at the city's go to gay nightclub.

Stephen Durkin is the music man and there will be a buffet, hors d'oeuvres, a toast and more.

Ring in the New Year at Paradise, 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, Paradise, 101 Asbury Avenue, Asbury Park. $30 in advance/$40 at the door. 732-774-0100; www.paradisenj.com.

'Twilight Zone' marathon live

Do you sometimes feel you're repeating the same year over and over? There's nothing wrong with you, you're just in the "Twilight Zone." Yup, instead of watching the "Twilight Zone" New Year's Eve marathon on the SyFy Channel with your cat and Talky Tina, head on over to the Old Franklin Schoolhouse in Metuchen where the fine — and creative — folks of Raconteur Radio will present, live on stage, four "Twilight Zone" episodes, including commercials, starting at 8:30 p.m.

There's going to be dinner, drinks, music and fireworks in this realm. Who knows, maybe Talky Tina will be there, too.

Twilight Zone Marathon: Staged Radio Play Parody and Party by Raconteur Radio, 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, Old Franklin Schoolhouse, 491 Middlesex Ave., Metuchen; $45 in advance/$65 at the door. raconteurradionj.blogspot.com.

A '90s New Year

In the mood for a '90s New Year's Eve? The Dark City folks at the Wonder Bar in Asbury Park are presenting a night of bands that normally do originally music, doing tribute sets to '90s bands. The Vansaders will be Rancid, Gay Guy/Straight Guy are Nirvana, the Creeptones are Rage Against the Machine, Lost In Society is Green Day, Goodbye Tiger is Radiohead and Garden State Line are Sublime.

We're not quite sure who will be a '90s Baby New Year, but we're sure there will be a lot of candidates.

A Very '90s New Year's Eve, 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, Wonder Bar, Ocean Avenue, Asbury Park. $12. 732-502-8886; www.wonderbarasburypark.com.

The New Year according to Godfrey

Comedian Godfrey recently posted nice holiday message on his Web site, www.godfreycomedian.com.

"The biggest gift for me is the fact that this planet is allowing our evil asses to remain on it as badly as we treat it. Thanks Earth," Godfrey said.

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Well isn't that a cheerful sentiment? Find out what the star of "Soul Plane," "Original Gangstas," and "Zoolander" has to say for New Year's Eve. He headlines two shows, 7:30 and 10:30, with club owner Vinne Brand opening.

Godfrey and Vinnie Brand, 7:30 and 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, Stress Factory Comedy Club, 90 Church St., New Brunswick. $59 to $109. 732-545-4242; stressfactory.com.

Bluegrass bash

Eat your heart out, Earl Scruggs.

Dark City Strings, a plucky Asbury Park bluegrass combo, are set to usher in the New Year at the city's Saint nightclub. The guys — Joe Lucarelli, Evan Fitzgerald, Eric Daneman, Michael Byrnes and Andrew Duch — deliver a charged mix of bluegrass, Americana and folk that should perk up your dancing shoes.

If you pay the $30 admission, you get an open bar from 9 p.m. to midnight, a buffet, Champagne toast and more.

Dark City Strings, 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, Saint, Main Street, Asbury Park. $10 to $30. 732-775-9144; www.thesaintnj.com.

Chris Jordan: 732-643-4060; cjordan@app.com