New Year's Eve Countdown: Fun with Family, Friends

Whether it's with the family, on a date or with friends, there will be plenty of ways to celebrate the New Year in Berkley and in nearby communities.

• When: 6-8 p.m., 9-11 p.m. or 11:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Saturday
• Where: , Berkley
• Cost: $40
• What to expect: Laser, disco and black lights, as well as music, will jazz up bowlers' experiences. One lane for two hours (up to six people), one large pizza (10 slices) and one pitcher of soda come with cost of reservation.
• What else: Reserve a spot at 248-543-9338.

• When: 7:30 and 10:30 p.m. Saturday
• Where: , Royal Oak
• Cost: 7:30 p.m. show is $55 per couple; 10:30 p.m. show is $70 per couple. Buy tickets here.
• What to expect: Joe DeVito has the power to start fires using his mind, the Comedy Castle boasts, and he also does standup comedy. "Whether taking on relationships, his Italian-American family or current events, DeVito's dead-on timing, unexpected twists and sheer flights of lunacy make him a favorite at clubs and colleges everywhere," the Comedy Castle says. 
• Also appearing: Kevin Wheeler and emcee Torey Adkin

• When: 7-10 p.m. Friday
• Where: , Ferndale
• Cost: $45
• What to expect: Bring your date and paint one half of the "New Year's Sparkle" canvas while your sweetie paints the other half. Or, come by yourself and choose the side you would like to paint.
• What else: The studio asks that you arrive 15-30 minutes early to ensure class gets started on time. Register for Sparkle Set here.

• When: 8 p.m. Thursday
• Where: , Ferndale
• Cost: $10
• What to expect: The Roast of 2011 Go Comedy! continues its annual tradition of roasting the past year. Go Comedy! resident company members, local comedians and special guests will take the stage to serve up hilarious jabs at the events, celebrities and moments that make 2011 one for the record books.

• When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. through Saturday
• Where: 
• Cost: Included with zoo admission. Admission is $12 for ages 15-61, $8 for ages 2-14 and free for children younger than 2.
• What to expect: Penguins: A Photographic Expedition by artist and photographer J.J. L’Heureux wraps up Saturday at the zoo's Ford Education Center. The exhibition is comprised of 120 digital photographs featuring 12 species of penguins. The photographs highlight the distinctive physical characteristics of each species, the animals' movements, molting, chicks and family dynamics.

Leave a comment if you know of other fun New Year's Eve parties going on around town!