Hogmanay Shenanigans 2006

Edinburgh

The Vegas! Grand Hogmanay Ball (Edinburgh College of Art, £33.00, 10-5am) is always a sell-out, and this year's showstopping event will feature a rare performance by The Loveboat Big Band (16-piece swing orchestra), plus burlesque performances and the ultra glamorous Vegas Showgirls. Music featured on the night will include a selection of rat-pack mob hits, hepcat swing, jazz and lounge. If you're looking to have it large in Leith, get down to Bring In The House (Ocean Terminal, £30.00, 9-5am). Presented in association with Edinburgh-favourite Progression and the legendary Ministry of Sound's 15th anniversary tour, Bring in the House promises to be a spectacular explosion of funky house. With Sebastian Ingrosso, Chris Lake, Dipesh Parmer, Derek Martin plus many more spinning the decks this is a must for any true house fan. Another superb house night, known for attracting a "clued-up crowd of hedonists" is Ultragroove (Cabaret Voltaire, time and price tbc), who will be ably joined by Solescience and residents Gareth Somerville and Nick Yuill in the backroom, providing funky house, techno and electro beats to ring in the new year. If you venture into the centre of the city, narrowly avoiding Robbie Williams, head along to Afterdark NYE-07 (Liquid Rooms, £17.00, 11-5am). Expect great music, a stunning crowd, and an up-for-it atmosphere at one of the capital's favourite banging house nights. If all this house isn't really your thing, the mighty Headspin have a tastier offer at The Bongo Club (time and price tbc), promising an eclectic blend of hip-hop, funk, soul, beats and breaks guaranteed to get you moving until the late hours of the morning. However, if it's cheesy tracks and even cheesier dancing you're after, then get down to Vibe's Hogmanay 2007 Mega Party (eGo, £15/£20, 11-5am) to celebrate in style with special guests Alan Cross and The Lillets. If you're looking for shameless fun and frolics then this is the place to be - gay or not, you're guaranteed a laugh and a good time.

Glasgow

Over in the west at Club Noir: Hogmanay The History of Burlesque (The Classic Grand, £20/£25, 10-4am) a glittering, glamorous array of stripteasers, vaudeville acts and ceilldh music will be on show, with retro sounds from the resident DJs. Before the bells a one-off show will be performed by Noir's excellent artistes, giving a masterclass on the history of burlesque. A strict dress code will be in force - with punters encouraged to "cast off your inhibitions; glam, fetish, drag, vintage" - to ensure a thouroughly unforgettable evening. If non-stop dancing is more your scene than six hours of eye candy, Hogmanay Hootenanny 3 (Soundhaus, £tbc, 9-5am) features a line-up of residents from all their regular nights, including Inner City Acid, Pussypower and Off The Record, with rumours of a band room focusing on electronic acts with traditional instrumentation. Expect a variety of musical styles ranging across the spectrum from techno, electro, breaks and drum and bass, with a free drink and a rogues gallery, so that regulars can cringe at their various states of 2006 being proudly displayed on the wall! If it's simply house you're after in Glasgow, head along to superclub The Arches, for a night of dark, funky house beats, from the Inside Out crew (£25, 9-4pm). Featuring Agnelli and Nelson, Matt Hardwick, Adam Sheriden, Kutski and Sean Tyas this will be a massive night. Or pop round to the Sub Club, where Subculture presents Hogmanay 2006 with Metro Area (Environ, New York) and a DJ set by Darshan Jesrani (£20, 10-5am). But if you want to see in 2007 by blowing out your eardrums with hardcore, get down to the Back to the Future extra special party (The Carling Academy, £23/£20, 7pm til late), featuring QFX, Neophyte and Bass Generator, and as it starts early you'll be able to party hard all night! See you next year if you aren't all clubbed out!