FEASTING
New Year’s Eve Yacht Cruise aboard the Manhattan, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., 800-979-3370, zerve.com; $350
Far from the typical booze cruise, this four-hour ride aboard a 1920s-style yacht kicks off with an hourlong tasting class on sparkling wines featuring Champagne, Cremant and Spanish Cava led by oenologist Wendy Crispell. “It’ll be a fun and informative way to start out the evening,” she says. The bubbly will be paired with passed tapas, including options for seafood, meat and veggie lovers. Afterward, jazz group Sound Waves will perform as guests snack on more hors d’oeuvres and take in views from the East River and lower Manhattan. Finally, at the stroke of midnight, ring in the new year with a bang when fireworks go off near the Statue of Liberty. At press time, 38 tickets were still available.
New Year’s Elvis Eve at Neely’s Barbecue Parlor, seatings start at 4 p.m. at 1125 First Ave., at 62nd Street; 212-832-1551, neelysbbqparlor.com; $69.95
The Memphis-style barbecue joint is hosting a four-course menu with Elvis-inspired fare, including veal medallions with country ham ravioli. Wash it down with cocktails such as a Tupelo Sour ($10), a creation named after the King’s birthplace and made with Jack Daniel’s, honey, orange marmalade and freshly squeezed lemons. For an additional $40, stick around for the open bar and dancing to get you all shook up just in time for 2012.
FITNESS
Emerald Nuts Midnight Run, 10 p.m. at the Central Park Bandshell (south of the 72nd Street Transverse, closest entrance is at Fifth Avenue and 72nd Street); 212-860-4455, nyrr.org; $25 to $55
Race over to Central Park for this annual New York Road Runners celebration, which draws about 5,000 racers each year and includes a DJ and dancing at 10 p.m. (expect a party/holiday mix including hits such as Katy Perry’s “Firework”), followed by an 11 p.m. costume parade and contest. “People get very, very creative,” says media relations manager Lauren Loeb. “People have dressed like Fruit of the Loom grapes, and there are a lot of people running in skirts and dresses.” It culminates in a midnight fireworks display, laser-light show and four-mile race, which includes a non-alcoholic champagne “water station” in the middle of the course. Note: Online registration for the race closed Monday, but check nyrr.org to see if space is still available for tonight. If not, cheer on the runners along the route.
Time’s Up! 14th Annual New Year’s Eve Ride, meet at 10 p.m. at Washington Square Park under the arch; 212-802-8222, times-up.org; free
Get a jump start on that resolution to lose weight and get in shape with this annual ride, which runs about four miles from Washington Square Park to Central Park’s Belvedere Castle. There, a dance party awaits — or, if you don’t want to do the whole ride, meet at 10:20 p.m. at Madison Square Park at 23rd Street and Broadway, and start there. (You could, of course, just head up to the castle at 11:45 p.m. to partake in the festivities and pretend like you did the whole journey.)
New Year’s Evolution with Kay Kay Clivio at Pure Yoga, 1 to 3:30 p.m. at Pure East, 203 E. 86th St., at Third Avenue; 212-360-1888, pureyoga.com; $35 for members, $40 for nonmembers
Get your downward-facing dog on with yogi Kay Kay Clivio, who will lead a 40-person workshop with guided writing exercises to reflect and jot down what you want to manifest for yourself in 2012, followed by an hour-and-45-minute vinyasa class and 15-minute meditation, during which you’ll create a mantra for the year ahead. All of it, Clivio says, will help set the right intention for the next 12 months. “There’s no better way to start the new year,” she says. “[It’s] so powerful to get that many people in a space moving toward such a positive vibration.” Looking for some evening Zen-time? Head over to Jivamukti Yoga School (841 Broadway, second floor; 212-353-0214, jivamuktiyoga.com) at 5 p.m., where co-founders Sharon Gannon and David Life will lead a two-hour class followed by a vegan dinner ($95 for class and dinner), dance party and mauna (the practice of silence).
FESTIVITIES
“La Brooklyn Rouge Fete” at Brooklyn Winery, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. at 213 N. Eighth St.; 347-763-1506, bkwinery.com, $200 in advance, $250 at the door
Go back — way back — in time at Brooklyn Winery, where you’ll be transported to an 1890s Parisian “Moulin Rouge” party. French wines and absinthe cocktails will flow all night as partygoers move to music by DJ Miss Bliss and dance with burlesque performers Lulu Lollipop and D’Arcy D’Lux. There will even be a magician mingling with the crowd to complete the whimsical experience. “We want people to feel not that they’re watching a show but that they’re part of it,” says marketing director Julie Oehme. Tickets will be sold at the door.
Los Lobos at City Winery, shows at 7:30 and 11 p.m. at 155 Varick St.; 212-608-0555, citywinery.com; $75 to $225
Listen to the three-time Grammy Award-winning crooners sing their biggest hits at the downtown drinkery. VIPs who shell out $225 for tickets will also enjoy a five-course tasting menu including rock shrimp ceviche, turkey roulade with wild mushroom stuffing, mole poblano sauce, coconut-cilantro rice and honey glazed carrots — all of which will be paired with wines such as Althea Prosecco. Thirty tickets are still up for grabs.
Michael Arenella Quartet at the Campbell Apartment,15 Vanderbilt Ave.; 212-980-9476, hospitalityholdings.com; $200 for bar seating and food, $300 for table seating and food (plus one bottle of Moët & Chandon Champagne per couple)
Nibble on gorgonzola skewers, bacon-wrapped sirloin and sweet treats such as mini cannolis and assorted truffles at Grand Central’s classic cocktail lounge. Then, get into the swing of things by dancing to “hot-dance band” tunes from Michael Arenella’s Jazz-Age dance orchestra, which will perform foot-tapping musical hits from Gershwin, Irving Berlin and more. “I’m looking forward to performing in a really classic New York establishment,” Arenella says. “Being there in Grand Central Station, you’re in the heart of all that great New York history.” Twenty-five tickets are still available.
After-party at the Russian Tea Room with violinist Alexander Markov, 11 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. at 150 W. 57th St., between Sixth and Seventh avenues; 212-581-7100, russiantearoomnyc.com; $195
The award-winning Russian-American violinist will perform his rock concerto on his custom-made gold-plated, six-string electric violin and illuminated bow. The composition, described as “Beethoven Meets The Beatles,” blends bluesy rhythms and soulful melodies with complex classical arrangements. It’s also the last chance to catch the virtuoso until his engagement at Carnegie Hall in October. The ticket price includes a full open bar and coffee/dessert stations. At press time, 40 tickets were still for sale.
And for the morning after. . .
38th Annual New Year’s Day Marathon Benefit Reading, 3 p.m. at St. Marks Church, 131 E. 10th St., between Second and Third avenues; 212-674-0910, poetryproject.org; $20, $15 for students and seniors, $10 for Poetry Project members
Since its inception in 1974 featuring 31 poets, this erudite event has grown into a standing-room-only celebration featuring literary heavyweights such as Suzanne Vega and Patti Smith. This year’s recitation features more than 140 poets and performers, and the readings are all for a good cause: It’s the project’s largest fund-raiser of the year and helps to pay for as many as 85 more events throughout the rest of the year.
Coney Island Polar Dip, meet at 11 a.m. on the boardwalk at Stillwell Avenue, swim time 1 p.m., polarbearclub.org; free (donations suggested)
Brave the elements and take the plunge at this annual icy swim, which raises money to send children to Camp Sunshine, a refuge for children with life-threatening illnesses. Any donation will get you free breakfast and all-day admission to the nearby New York Aquarium.
Bistro Chat Noir, 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 22 E. 66th St.; 212-794-2428, bistrochatnoir.com; $35 per person
This cozy bistro is offering a bargain “hangover brunch” — three courses and two beverages. First courses include lobster salad and smoked salmon with potato buckwheat blinis and creme fraiche; mains range from the house-special Black Cat Burger with foie gras to vegetarian frittata; and desserts such as apple tart tatin and chocolate souffle. On the drinks menu are Bloody Marys, Chianti and sauvignon blanc.
christina.amoroso@nypost.com