Ring in the new year

If sitting at home on New Year's Eve watching a ball drop isn't your cup of tea, you're in luck. Petaluma has plenty of year-end celebrations to match whatever level of revelry you're up for, and here are a few of them.

New Year's Eve Bash with Tommy Castro

Tommy Castro is back for the Mystic Theatre's annual New Year's Eve Bash.

After more than two decades on the road, 14 recordings and collaborations and multiple Blues Music Awards, Castro has brought together an all new band he calls "The Painkillers." The lineup features Castro's original bassist Randy McDonald, along with new band mates Byron Cage on drums and James Pace on keyboards.

The show begins at 9 p.m. Monday, Dec. 31 with Bay Area swing band Lost Dog Found. Tickets are $51 to $56. The Mystic is located at 23 Petaluma Blvd. North. Call 765-2121 for information or visit www.mystictheatre.com.

New Year's at the Social Club

If dinner and socializing is more your speed, the Social Club is hosting a New Year's Eve dinner event from 4 to 10 p.m.

The restaurant will have a special prix fixe menu for $49, as well as regular menu items available. At 10 p.m., the party starts with tune spinning by Sonoma County deejay Will Styles. The Social Club is located at 132 Keller St. For information, call 238-0158

New York Time New Year's Eve

Not a night owl? Got kids? The newly opened Pub Republic is doing New Year's Eve on New York Time — 9 p.m.

Pub Republic will be serving New York pub grub, along with it's regular dinner menu, starting at 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 31. There will be complimentary champagne and sparkling cider for the kids. A balloon drop to ring in the new year takes place at 9 p.m. (midnight New York Time).

Pub Republic is located at 3120 Lakeville Highway. For information, call 782-9090.

Sons of Italy's New Year

You don't have to be Italian to celebrate with Petaluma's Sons of Italy. The club hosts its annual New Year's Eve dinner dance on Monday, Dec. 31 at the Petaluma Community Center, 320 N. McDowell Blvd.

The evening begins with no-host cocktails at 6 p.m., followed by a prime rib and ravioli dinner at 7:30 p.m. Dancing to the Showcase band is from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

A continental breakfast will be held at midnight.

Tickets are only available in advance only and are $60 per person. The public is welcome to attend.

For tickets, contact Don De Carli, 588-2710; Angelo Leone, 763-4626; Rose Anna Cresci, 763-8192; Les Villanyi, 778-9345; Ed Santero, 763-4994; Dorothy Nadale, 762-6002; or Leo Lavio, 763-0091.

Petaluma Museum gala

The Petaluma Museum offers a classic and soothing entrance into the new year with a concert featuring string musicians from the San Francisco Symphony performing the works of Beethoven and Brahms.

The concert is from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Petaluma Museum, 20 Fourth St. There will be complimentary wine and cheese.

Tickets are $45. Seating is limited, so make plans now to attend.

For information and tickets, call 778-4398.

Sober celebration

To avoid any DUI checkpoint worries, you might want to consider the Sunflower Center holds a celebration of sobriety New Year's Eve comedy and reggae show on Monday, Dec. 31.

The show is free and starts at 8 p.m. with reggae music, followed by a comedy show with Funny Vibes. Reggae artist Sky-I performs at 10 p.m., followed by King Hopeton and Friends from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m.

There will be a toast at midnight.

The event is free, but donations will be accepted. The vegetarian cafe will be open all night.

The Sunflower Center is located at 1435 N. McDowell Blvd.

For details, call 792-5300 or visit www.thesunflowercenter.org.

A Couple of Blaguards

Ring in 2013 with some humor and theater as Cinnabar Theater presents its New Year's Eve gala opening of the Irish comedy "A Couple of Blaguards."

The New Year's Eve gala begins at 9 p.m. and includes desserts and wine after the show, along with champagne at midnight.

Tickets to the New Year's Eve show are $75 general; $70 seniors 65 and older; $65 youth ages 22 and under.

For information and tickets, call 763-8920 or visit www.cinnabartheater.org.

New Year's Eve retreat

If soul-searching and regaining focus for the 2013 is more your style, the Institute of Noetic Sciences is hosting an EarthRise New Year's Eve retreat to help you get on your way.

The "Creative Vision Quest" starts at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 30 and ends at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 1.

Participants will learn to dream big, get focused and discover the synergy between what the world needs and what individuals are here to give.

The retreat is led by Dana Lynne Andersen and will be held at IONS, 101 San Antonio Road.

For registration information and details, call 779-8202 or go online to http://bit.ly/O0geqm.