STORY:
Toronto Year 2000 Plans

Big countdown will take place with laser lights on the CN Tower

Just as New York will watch the fall of their new Millennium Ball, partygoers in Toronto Canada will see ten blasts of light illuminate the walls of the CN Tower, counting down the last seconds before 2000 on New Year's Eve. The final blast from the top of the tower will light up the night sky and be seen from across the region, a spokesman for City of Toronto special events committee tells the Toronto Star.

Then at 12:01, the sky over Toronto's harbour will sparkle, with 17 minutes of fireworks and lasers moving to a soundtrack that spans styles from Gregorian chants to modern music.

While the celebration centered on the CN Tower will be the biggest in Toronto, it will only be one of thousands of parties in and around the city. According to the Toronto Star, the city plans to move its usual events from Mel Lastman Square and Nathan Philips Square down to the gigantic waterfront display.

One of the best views of CN Tower countdown and fireworks will be from the skating rink at Harbourfront Centre, where an anticipated 60,000 people will converge for the free First Night family celebrations.

Free family activities are also planned for Mississauga's Civic Centre. Fairchild Television is inviting Toronto's Chinese community to celebrate the millennium with performances by Hong Kong singers in Markham.

And Bay St. rings in the New Year at First Canadian Place, where the Toronto Board of Trade hosts a gala dinner featuring dancing to the jazz stylings of the Arlene Smith Quintet. Tickets are $500 per couple.

As for New Year's Eve concerts, the Toronto Star reports The Tragically Hip will perform a two-day stand at the Air Canada Centre on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

Roy Thomson Hall will present a Millennium Opera Gala, featuring Canada's top opera stars. Included are tenors Ben Heppner, Richard Margison and Michael Schade, and sopranos Nancy Argenta, Tracy Dahl, Frances Ginzer and Adrianne Pieczonka. They will sing alongside the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and the Toronto Mendelsohn Choir. Tickets range from $50 to $150, with $200 tickets, which include pre-concert, and intermission champagne receptions.

Dead ringers for Elvis, Mick Jagger, Tina Turner and others impersonate in the millennium as CHUM Radio presents the Rock and Roll Remember the Millennium New Year's Eve Party, starring the Legends of Rock and Roll at the Westin Harbour Castle. Tickets are $200 or $250 for prime seating. The cost includes a three-course meal, champagne, casino and indoor fireworks. The hotel will also host a New Year's Eve dinner in its revolving Lighthouse restaurant. Diners can look out over the city and the lake while they enjoy a six-course meal and dancing. Tickets are $295 and $350 a head.

Quebec's one-man legends of rock and roll show, impressionist Andre-Philippe Gagnon, welcomes 2000 at the Royal York Hotel. Tickets are $95 a head and include a four-course meal and dancing to Robbie Lane and the Disciples from 9 p.m. until 2 a.m. The Royal York's $747-per-couple millennium gala, featuring the Mickey Loran Orchestra, is already sold out.

The Sheraton Center will be hosting three parties and a black-tie dinner in its Pinacle Lounge on the 43rd floor, featuring a special champagne soup. The dinner is $200 per person. Dinner at the Bistro on Two, with music by Taylor Made Jazz is $185 per person; there is a buffet dinner at Traders for $125 per person; and a more casual party takes place at the Long Bar overlooking Nathan Philips Square and Queen St. W. (price not yet determine

The Sutton Place Hotel recreates 1899 Paris in its Stop 33 ballroom, with music by the Brenda Carol and the Clairevoyance orchestra during an evening hosted by Elwy Yost. Tickets are $1,864 per couple, and include a six-course meal, a night in a deluxe guestroom and bathrobes. The hotel also hosts a Millennium Madness party in its Accents Restaurant, with hourly tapas platters, piano performances by Denis D'Ouest and champagne. Tickets are $85.

The BamBoo club is offering a dinner and a show by r 'n' b group Blackburn. Buddies in Bad Times holds its biggest New Year's party yet. Its theatres and two bars will be connected to create an open space where 700 revelers can dance to retro and quirky tunes. Tickets will be under $20, with all proceeds going to the theatre.

The El Mocambo has a special New Year's Eve Blow Up with DJ Davy Love spinning British invasion music, r 'n' b and Brit-pop. Mooney Suzuki plays downstairs. Tickets are $30. The Montreal Bistro features jazz by the Jim Galloway Trio. Tickets are $85 and include a four-course meal and champagne. Call (416) 363-0179.

The Palais Royale celebrates by turning the clock back a quarter-century and transforming into a disco inferno. Tickets will be around $100, and a buffet and champagne will be on offer. The Reverb and Bhold will hold a fetish masquerade with a strict dress code in effect - no rubber or leather, no entry. And, The Senator presents the John Alcorn Quintet and a lobster or steak dinner. Tickets are $500 per couple.

Source: The Toronto Star

DATE: 9/17/99

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