New Year’s Eve is in three days and I can’t help but reminisce about the great NYE celebrations I’ve had. There was that time that I flew from country to country, continent to continent to participate in the countdown in every time zone. Talk about jet lag.

Or the time Dick Clark INSISTED that I say the countdown on his New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. Things got a little awkward with Seacrest after that.

This year however I want to take things a little more mellow and spend time with that special someone. That’s right I’m talking about you Renaissance Times Square. I’ll be right there at the New Year’s Eve action watching the ball drop at in New York.

Just because I will be on the East Coast doesn’t mean I’m not watching out for you folks on the West Coast. If you have still yet to make any plans here are a few suggestions:

Universal City Walk will host their annual free New Year’s Eve Countdown Bash. The event will start at 9pm and will include live music and DJs as well as firework shows from two ends of the street to ring in the New Year. All City Walk restaurants will be open. Parking is $10 and around $22 for valet. You will need to take the Red Line if you decide to take the Metro. For more information visit http://citywalkhollywood.com/calendar.html?template=ush_citywalk_events_detail.html&calendar=ush_citywalk_events&eventid=423

Love the Rose Parade but hate having to fight for a glimpse at the action? Ever thought about camping on the sidewalk? Starting at noon on December 31^st, you can camp on the sidewalk of where the parade route takes place to ensure your spot. You can party with other campers, enjoy a BBQ and rough it urban style. For more information and rules go to http://www.latourist.com/index.php?page=rose-parade-tips.

“Who’s going to drive,” is constant lingering question on many party-goers mind on New Year’s Eve. This year let the Metro volunteer for you. Every year they try to get people off the roads and into public transportation by offering free rides from 9pm to 2am starting December 31^st. To help plan your trip visit www.metro.net . Also not like I would know, but if you get lost and can’t find your way home someone will assist you if you call 1-800-COMMUTE.

See you in 2011 kiddies.

You will all have to excuse my brief absence from the blogosphere I had pressing matters to tend to. You see being GM of a fine hotel like the Renaissance is hard work; it is not all gallivanting around town looking debonair. Lucky for me it is not without its advantages. For example I can jump up and down on every one of our king-sized beds or decide that I need to personally sample all the top shelf scotch in the Lobby Bar to ensure that we are only serving quality beverages.

However, perhaps the best thing of all about being a hotel GM is being able to attend some of the best events that Hollywood has to offer. I am particularly excited about Cirque Du Soleil’s IRIS coming to Hollywood & Highland’s own Kodak Theatre.

If you’re unfamiliar with the Canadian entertainment company, only one word can sum it up; awesomeamazingfantasticepic. Yes that is a word, don’t believe me look it up in the Unabridged Unabridged edition of Webster’s. But good luck getting your hands on it seeming as there is only three copies and I am the owner of two. Did that sound like I’m bragging? I didn’t mean it to be.

Now back to what this tangent sparked, Cirque Du Soleil is scheduled to open July 22,2011. The show will transport the viewer through the history and genres of cinema in the dramatic and artistic way that only Cirque Du Soleil is able to. I’m sure you’re now asking yourself why Gorelick would be telling us about it a show that is basically two season changes away. The answer is simple, because Cirque Du Soleil is so awesomeamazingfantasticepic that it needs this much time.

General tickets are on sale and can be found at the Cirque website at http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/iris/default.aspx as well as more information. By the end of December you can count on the Renaissance Hollywood with providing you more information about Cirque du Soleil and fantabulousextraordinarysuperspecial (yes, this is a word too) package deals. Since my busy life as a GM doesn’t allow me to write daily blog updates follow the hotel on Facebook or Twitter to receive up to
date information.

Now I’m off to make sure the mattresses still have bounce. This is Bruce, signing off.