Leader-Post: Something for everyone to celebrate New Year's in Regina

The year is almost at a close and many events are happening in Regina to start off 2012.

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Brad Grass, who plays Don in the Applause Feast and Follies production of 'Don and Debbie do Vegas,' getting ready for the New Year’s Eve show in Regina December 29, 2011.

Photograph by: Bryan Schlosser, Regina Leader-Post



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The show Don and Debby Do Vegas at the Applause Dinner Theatre in Regina comprises of an all-you-can-eat buffet beginning 6 p.m. the performance at 7:30 p.m. and a party to celebrate the new year.

"The cast is extremely talented. The show's very witty, very funny," said Brenda Milligan-Davis, the director of operations for Applause Dinner Theatre in Regina.

The show - Don and Debby Do Vegas - stars Brad Grass, Krysta Konkin, Shanna Jones and Angela Klaassen. It opens on New Year's Eve

Milligan-Davis said one of the show-stopper numbers is All the Single Ladies by Beyoncé featuring Grass and the rest of the cast.

“(The cast members) are all dressed in the black body suits just like the Beyoncé video and doing the full-out choreography from the video,” said Milligan-Davis. "Normally shows get better as they go along. You know, people get into a groove. Well if this show gets better than it was on dress rehearsal, it’s going to be spectacular."

She said the show includes a lot of audience participation, including a magic act. After the show, the cast will perform entertainment numbers as the main tables are cleared away for a dance.

"There will be a dance right up until midnight. There’s free champagne at midnight," said Milligan-Davis. "Then of course ringing in the new year and sticking around and having a good time until the party finally winds down."

Milligan-Davis added the show is for all ages with little sexual or bad content in the show.

Brad Grass who plays Don in the Applause Feast and Follies production
Don and Debbie Do Vegas gets ready for the New Year's Eve show.

Photograph by: Bryan Schlosser, Leader-Post, Leader-Post

She said the show runs until April, but opening night is nearly sold out. Only four tables and one booth are left.

Children can also enjoy the Noon Year's Eve event on Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Saskatchewan Science Centre.

"It really gives the kids a change to celebrate a new year and talk about what that means for them and enjoy that celebration that the adults generally get to do without the kids," said Collette Parks, communications manager with the science centre.

"(Noon Year’s Eve) all wraps up by suppertime so everybody can get home and have a nice meal at home and then if mom and dad want to go out later, they can and the kids have already had a fun time celebrating," continued Parks.

Parks said it’s been quite successful in the past with around 800 attendees and this year, she is expecting around the same number of people. Advance tickets are on sale, but will be offered at the door.

On Sunday, Lt.-Gov. Gordon Barnhart and his wife Naomi will host the Lieutenant Governor’s New Year’s Day Levee at Government House.
   
"That’s a chance for people to say farewell to him and for him to say farewell to his guests," said Carolyn Speirs, communications manager for the office of the Lieutenant Governor. "They’re an established tradition in the province so there are a lot of people who come back every year, but there are also a lot of newcomers each year — people that have never been to Government House before."

The levee has been taking place in Saskatchewan since Jan. 1, 1884 when Lt.-Gov. Edgar Dewdney held the first New Year’s Levee.

"It is certainly an opportunity to exchange New Year’s greetings," said Speirs. "The house is just so beautifully decorated for Christmas that’s it’s just a really festive atmosphere."