Looking ahead ... with good friends

No more lame excuses about how you’re too old to wait up for the Times Square ball to drop at midnight, or the live and local First Night Virginia equivalent.

No more staring fuzzily at the television screen as the new year approaches and wondering when in the world Dick Clark morphed into Ryan Seacrest and whether all the guest singers are old enough to drive yet.

You’re never too old to celebrate like a grownup, and the folks at the Hamner Theater recognize the conflict created by your desire to ring in the new year and your need to hit the hay. They’re here to help.

The second Geezer’s New Year celebration will get under way at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Nelson County theater. There will be potluck food, dancing, music, improv comedy, charades and games.

You don’t even have to be anywhere near geezer territory to attend, either. All of us who have trouble staying up late — and we know who we are — won’t have to make up excuses anymore to tell our cool friends when we get back to work after the holiday.

Here’s where everything gets easier: The new year will arrive early — three hours early, in fact, at 9 p.m. — with a glass of champagne to boot. You’ll even be able to get back home in time to see the other ringing-in celebrations — if you can stay awake that long.

Admission is free, but please bring a dish to share for the potluck. Learn more at http://www.hamnertheater.com or call 361-1999.

Here are some other New Year’s Eve options:

l Ring in the New Year, which begins at 8 p.m. Wednesday at Royal Indian Restaurant, will feature Indian cuisine, dancing that starts at 9 p.m. and champagne at midnight. The dress code is jacket and tie, with black tie optional, so here’s your chance to look fine for ’09.

John Carden and Greenwich Swing Time will perform, and George Melvin will be their special guest star for the evening.

The event is $100 per person. Royal Indian is at 3450 Seminole Trail No. 101, across U.S. 29 from the Forest Lakes shopping center. Make reservations at 973-9797.

l Bel Rio’s the place to welcome 2009 with Alligator.

Dinner will begin at 5 p.m., and music will start at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance, and they’re $35 if you wait until the last minute to show up. Bel Rio is at 407 Monticello Road. To reserve your spot, call 979-5299.

l Gravity Lounge is offering shows to suit both circadian rhythms. Husband-and-wife power talents Paul Curreri and Devon Sproule will fill the stage with originals starting at 7: p.m. for $15, and then a reunion of the world-beat favorite Baaba Seth kicks in at midnight for a groovy start to the new year. That show is $25, $20 in advance.

l Durty Nelly’s Pub will offer you hors d’oeuvres and a seat by the fireside to welcome 2009 with the music of Hal and Bubba.

The fun gets going at 9 p.m., and even better, it’s free. Call 295-1278.

l Dance fans can count down in a different way — by counting the top dance hits of 2008. Club 216 is the place to be for the New Year’s Open House Party, which has a champagne toast at midnight. Members get in for $5, guests for $20. Get the details at 296-8783.

There’s no reason to sit home bored on New Year’s Day, either.

Gravity Lounge brings in some of the top local young songwriters in the Kids in the Living Room show, which starts at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Listen for Carl Anderson, Zander Luke, Genna Matthew, Caroline Spence, Carleigh Nesbit and Jackie Stem. It’s $10, $5 for students, and all the details are at http://www.gravity-lounge.com and 977-5590.