THEATER: The salty, electric dynamo that is Elaine Stritch shows no sign of waning – about to turn 83-years-young, the show biz legend has kicked off 2008 with a reprise of her Tony-winning cabaret show. Backed by a six-piece band and performed in two acts for a dining audience at the newly restored Café Carlyle, Elaine Stritch at Liberty, co-written with the New Yorker’s John Lahr, is a hilarious, old-fashioned ride through star-studded post-war Broadway,......

Kuta Satay House & Wine Bar: Taking its name from the tourist beach town in Bali, Kuta Satay House (pictured) is bringing its modern Southeast Asia menu to the Lower East Side. The main attraction here are the skewers, such as short ribs with asian pears and sesame barbeque sauce. Entrees emphasize seafood and steak, but there’s also a spicy duck curry and side dishes like garlic fries. 65 Rivington St, (212) 777-5882. Le Royale:......

Kellari’s Parea: This Greek bistro, housed in the space that was formerly Michael Symon’s Parea, was created by the same team that runs Kellari Taverna in midtown. This "green" restaurant features an organic menu that includes pizzas fresh from the wood-burning oven, lamb that has been marinated overnight, and eggplant with feta ice cream. 36 E 20th St between Broadway and Park Ave South (212-777-8448) Maxie’s Grill: This casusal offshoot of Angelo & Maxie’s steakhouse......

Reader Brad emailed us asking, "Any Idea why Park Ave South was covered in light last night from around 11pm till 1am or so? There were guys shinning bright lights uptown from between 21st and 22nd and another smaller light further up in the 30’s shinning downtown." Our guess is a movie or TV show. Anyone know which one it was?......

Okay, so you left it to the last minute once again. Never fear, there are still options for eating out on New Year's Eve. Time Out New York rounds up options for every budget, ranging from $20.07 snacks and apps at the Silverleaf Tavern (the bottomless glass of wine will cost you an additional $70, however), to a five course dinner at Cafe Gray including unlimited champagne and dancing for $550. Citysearch has a fairly......

THEATER: Mind the Gap specializes in bringing contemporary British plays to New York; their latest lark is a military/political thriller called The Cleric that explores the issue of state-sanctioned torture. It’s about an Irish-American priest who is caught by U.S. Special Forces in post-9/11 Afghanistan and accused of terrorist collaboration. Harmless, fraternity hazing type hi-jinks ensue, but all the priest wants is another priest to hear him confess sins that he claims are worse than......

READINGS: Nostalgics from the Clinton era, unite! Head down to the 17th St. Barnes & Noble tonight to hear the dulcet (okay, maybe not) voices of Paul Begala and James Carville, together in their new book, Take It Back: Our Party, Our Country, Our Future. According to the Washington Post, "the book is most convincing when it is most elitist -- a kind of 'why can't anyone play this game' attack on the Democratic Party's......

PARTY: FreeNYC holds their Bugjuice party again at Luke & Leroy's (which has managed to stay open post-Misshapes!) If you like reggae, funk, soul, hip hop and $3 vodka drinks...this is the place for you. Friday // 10pm // Luke and Leroy's [21 7th Ave South at Leroy] // Free FILM: Rooftop Films presents Dark Toons. Brendan Canty has not sat idly by during Fugazi’s break. He recently produced a new album by the Thermals,......

THEATER: The two most dreaded words in theater, "staged reading", get a shot at redemption with tonight's free reading of Stuff Happens. The show has cut and run from the Public Theater, so this is your last chance to catch David Hare's satire about the ramp-up to Operation Iraqi Freedom. In an interview with NPR, Hare described it as "a play about how a supposedly stupid man, George W. Bush, gets everything he wants..." Laugh......

COMEDY: The Del Close Marathon is happening this weekend, the full schedule is here. "Del Close was the driving force behind improvisational comedy in Chicago for over 30 years influencing Bill Murray, Tina Fey, Mike Myers, John Belushi, Chris Farley and the Upright Citizens Brigade to name a few. After Del's passing in 1999, the UCB started the Del Close Marathon to celebrate their mentor and keep alive his name and teachings for future generations"......

MUSIC: If you aren't going to a 06.06.06 party tonight, and if we are in fact all here and the apocolypse hasn't happened...we suggest getting over to the Delancey. Why? Because it's the first Beg Yr Pardon party and there will be free red velvet cupcakes and brownies! There will also be all you can eat BBQ if you're into that sort of thing (for an extra $5). Oh, and music! There is also music.......