THURSDAY 12/30

SEATTLE SYMPHONY -- Two more chances to hear Beethoven's Symphonies Nos. 2 and 9, the pairing mentioned last week. Ah, but I can hear some of you asking, "Couldn't I somehow just ignore the first three movements and listen to the toe-tapping finale, along with some other overplayed choral piece?" Just read on. Benaroya Hall, Taper Auditorium, Thurs Dec 30, 7:30 pm and Fri Dec 31, 1 pm, 215-4747 or www.seattlesymphony.org. $10-$62.

FRIDAY 12/31

SEATTLE CHORAL COMPANY -- Nothing but the last movement of the 9th -- which is merely bombastic without Beethoven's carefully wrought structure building up to it, but oh well. Beethoven's blarer is paired with Orff's Carmina Burana to make for a very loud evening out. 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth, 7:30 pm, 363-1100 or 292-ARTS. $15/$20/$35/$50.

WEDNESDAY 1/5

MIAMI STRING QUARTET -- This gifted young quartet performs two much-beloved warhorses and one piece that's well on its way to that status. Mozart's Quartet in D, K. 575 starts things off; Schumann's Piano Quintet in E flat, Op. 44 (with Jon Nakamatsu joining in) wraps them up. And sandwiched in between is Ginastera's Quartet No. 1, which, like much of the composer's output, is finally getting the play it deserves these last few years. Meany Theater, University of Washington, 543-4880, 8 pm, $27.

REGIONAL MUSIC

THURSDAY 12/30

LITTLE CHARLIE AND THE NIGHTCATS -- Aladdin Theatre, Portland

FRIDAY 12/31

BAD LIVERS -- McMenamin's St. John's, Portland

DEAD MOON, THE FLAPJACKS -- Berbati's Pan, Portland

PINK MARTINI -- Union Station, Portland

THE JACKMORMONS, KEROSENE DREAM -- Doubletree Inn, Portland

STRING CHEESE INCIDENT, ZEN TRICKSTERS -- Oregon Convention Center, Portland

SATURDAY 1/1

HIT EXPLOSION -- Crystal Ballroom, Portland

WEDNESDAY 1/5

PETE KREBS -- Mad Hatter Lounge, Portland

NEW YEAR'S EVE

2000 AT 2218 -- Booze, pasta, dancing, and dessert. 2218, 2218 First Ave, 441-2218, $80 single/$150 couple.

ARO.SPACE VERSION 2.0 -- The New Year's "melee" featuring "every damn Seattle DJ and they mamas." ARO.space, 925 E Pike St, $60/$100.

COUNTRY KARAOKE AT LINDA'S -- Beers, tears, and chili mix with drunken interpretations of country classics! Linda's, 707 Pine St, 825-1220, 8 pm, $10.

DUSTY 45'S/THE SOUVENIRS -- KCMU presents "Party like it's 1999 -- for the last time." Crocodile, 2200 Second Ave, 441-5611, 9 pm, $25.

THE EARTHLINGS -- The space-age surf band plays at the Lava Lounge, 2226 Second Ave, 441-5660, $5.

FREESTYLE CANDELA -- Caribbean-style dance party led by guitarist Leif Totusek, also of One Two Three, the Romales, & JR. Rainbow Bar and Grill, 722 NE 45th, 634-1761, $10.

FREMONT'S CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE BALL -- A whacked-out bash featuring bands (including Dudley Manlove Quartet and Mambo 9), Elvis impersonators, Fremont Freaky Cinema's peep show, as well as a retirement party for Glamorama's revered Miss Management. Creative, semi-formal party attire suggested. People's Republic of Fremont, 575 N 34th, 632-0287, $50.

GREET 2000 -- DJ Riz spins, and admission includes Ultra Buffet (7-9 pm), party favors, and champagne at midnight. Backdoor Ultra Lounge 503 Third Ave (at Yesler, alley entrance), 622-7665, 7 pm, $50.

LAST CALL MILLENNIUM BALL -- A big-ass bash featuring performances by Chris Isaak, the Squirrel Nut Zippers, and Robert Cray. Stadium Exhibition Center (downtown between the Kingdome and Safeco Field), 574-2000, $175/$250.

LUNAR LANDING -- Girls rule at Re-bar's bash, featuring DJs Special K, Julie H, and more. Plus -- champagne and a pastry buffet! Re-bar, 1114 Howell St, 233-9873, $30/$50 for couples, any gender(s).

MAKTUB/MURDER CITY DEVILS/ PLEASEEASAUR/SOURCE OF LABOR -- Four great tastes that taste great together; cover includes appetizer buffet and champagne toast. Showbox, 1426 First Ave, 628-3151, 7 pm, $45.

MILLENNIAL GROOVE -- DJ E.E.G., Vitamin D, FCS North & DJ Diskyze, and Piece of Sol. 700 Club, 700 Virginia Ave, $40 general admission/$55 reserved.

MILLION DOLLAR MILLENNIUM AT PARKER'S CASINO -- Drink-n-gamble your way into the new century along with H.B. Radke and the Jet City Swingers and DJ Tam. $65 gets you champagne, dinner, and a reserved table; $50 gets you champagne. Parker's Casino & Nightclub, 17001 Aurora Ave N, 546-6161.

NEBULA/ALIEN CRIME SYNDICATE/SPEEDTWIN -- At Seattle's newest venue, cover includes party favors. I Spy, 1921 Fifth Ave, 374-9492, $20.

NEIGHBOUR'S NEW YEARS EVE -- Get crazy with the gays along with DJ Randy Schlanger and drag divas Kahlúa Ice and Gaysha Starr. The bash also promises "the wildest surprise you'll ever see" at midnight. Neighbours, 1509 Broadway, 324-5358, 8 pm, $15.

NEW YEAR'S EVE W/MONTY BANKS -- Monty and his High Rollers play at the Baltic Room, 1207 Pine St, 625-4444, 7 pm, $20.

ONCE -- An exclusive event for those who like to groove. Cover includes dinner, complimentary champagne toast, and party favors. Entros, 823 Yale Ave N, 832-5080, $200 cash/check, $210 credit card.

THE PICKETTS/THE PENNINGTONS -- Honky Tonk 2000; cover includes champagne and party favors. Tractor Tavern, 5213 Ballard Ave, 789-3599, 9:30 pm, $20.

RESOLUTION 2000 -- "A journey into the future: sound, light, motion... men, muscle, machine." Which machine, and how do you use it? Spintron, 916 E Pike, 568-6190, $25 adv/$30 door.

SUPERSUCKERS/NEW AMERICAN SHAME/RC5 -- Rock, Rock, and Rock. Graceland, 109 Eastlake Ave E, 381-3094, 8 pm, $20.

SWINGIN' THE CENTURY: A MILLENNIUM CELEBRATION -- Dining and dancing till dawn (really -- this sucker goes till 9 am) at Seattle's premiere swing dancing venue. Century Ballroom, 915 E Pine, Second Floor, 324-7263, $50/$115.

THIS IS PLANET EARTH 2000 -- Donald Glaude spins, plus regulars Brian Lyons and Topcat. Last Supper Club, 124 S Washington, 748-9975, $30.

Y2K ALLSTARS -- Steve Gauci, Jessica Lurie, and Aaron Birrell on saxes, Joe Doria on Hammond B3, Chris Hinderaker on guitar, Paul Kemmish on bass, Elizabeth Pupo-Walker on percussion, and Guido Perla on drums. Elysian Brewery, 1221 E Pike St, 860-1920, $15/$35 includes dinner.

Y2KGAY -- An alcohol- and drug-free New Year's celebration to be broadcast live over the GAYBC Radio Network. Webcam celebrity Rex Booth and talk radio activist Mike Webb will co-host, and a powerful state-of-the-art sound and light system will ensure that a massive amount of bass-heavy funk and dance music greets the new millennium. Capitol Hill Alano Club, 1222 E Pine, 9 pm, $12/$10 advance, call 206-770-6677 for more information.

Y2KARAOKE W/WM. STEVEN HUMPHREY -- The Stranger's prodigal son emcees; cover includes party favors, snacks, and champagne at midnight. Breakroom, 1325 E Madison, 860-5155, 9 pm, $10.