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

Many people are planning fun nights out to mark the new year.

assistant manager Ed Heichel says its New Year's Eve party is geared toward families.

"We'll have our mom approved Rock n' Bowl music video show going all night, as well as door prizes geared for kids and adults," he said. 

A reservation includes a two-hour block on a lane, which holds 4 to 5 people comfortably, for $45. The party includes bowling with colored pins that are used in games throughout the night. Pizza will be available with a small discount at the time of reservation and the bar and snack bar will be open all night. Call 248-362-1660 for more information.

"Basically, it's just a really fun, safe place to party with a bunch of other people, listen to current music and watch the ball drop (if you're here at midnight)," Heichel said. "We've been running this party for years now, and it's never failed to fill up and everyone seems to have a great time."

Whether it's with the family, a date or with friends, have fun with these events available on or near New Year's Eve!

• When: 8 p.m. Wednesday
• Where:
• 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: 6 to 8 p.m., 9 to 11 p.m. or 11:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Saturday
• Where:
• Cost: $40
• What to expect: Come enjoy some glow bowling with family and friends on New Year's Eve! One lane for two yours (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: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Saturday
• Where:
• Cost: Free 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 is wrapping up today at the Ford Education Center. The exhibition is comprised of 120 digital photographs featuring 12 species of penguins. The photographs highlight the distinctive physical characteristics of the various penguin species, their movements, molting, chicks and family dynamics.

• When: 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Saturday
• Where:
• Cost: 7:30 show is $55 per couple; 10:30 show is $75 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, Joe's dead-on timing, unexpected twists and sheer flights of lunacy make him a favorite at clubs and colleges everywhere. Joe's TV appearances include The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson on CBS, Comedy Central's Live at Gotham, and a semi-finalist turn on season five of NBC's Last Comic Standing. His savage wit has also made him an in-demand panelist on shows like Chelsea Lately, CNN's Headline News, Animal Planet's Wild 100, and a regular guest on FOX News Channel's Red Eye.
• Also appearing: Kevin Wheeler and emcee Torey Adkin

• When: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday
• Where:
• Cost: $45
• What to expect: Bring your date and paint one half of New Year's Sparkle. Your date paints the other half in this double canvas set. Or, come by yourself and you choose the side you would like to paint.
• What else: Please arrive 15-30 minutes before class in order to get class started on time! Register for Sparkle Set here.