Martin Hubbard saw a hole that needed to be filled for New Year's Eve.

"There's no comedy," the Rosebud Theatre president said. So he is hoping to bring in the New Year with laughter.

Celebrating the theater's first New Year's Eve, Russian comedian Yakov Smirnoff will perform at 6 and 10 p.m. Monday at the Rosebud. Mattoon's Blue Suede Crew is the opening act.

"We chose comedy so it wasn't in direct competition with anyone else in Effingham," he said. "Yakov is very funny. You won't stop laughing the entire time."

A special New Year's Eve prime rib and seafood buffet is planned for the night at the theater, 1325 Outer Belt West, Effingham. The buffet will be available from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., between the two shows.

"We're giving people the opportunity with something different to do on New Year's Eve," he said, adding that the large buffet, which can accommodate more than 400 people, is something they would not attempt any other night.

For 2008, Hubbard plans to reach his target of 60 shows a year at the theater, with 12 more acts to sign in classic rock, Southern gospel and contemporary Christian music genres.

In the meantime, Hubbard is expecting a nice turnout and show with the comedic performance Monday. More than 1,000 tickets have been sold to the two shows, he said.

"Some people like to wait to know how the weather will be," he said. "They can still make up their mind on New Year's Eve to come."

Tickets to the comedy show range from $40 to $82.50 and are available at www.therosebudtheatre.com. Dinner tickets are sold separately for $25. Champagne, noisemakers and confetti will be available at the second show.

For more information, call the Rosebud Theatre at 540-2787.

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A number of Decatur venues are offering a New Year's Eve celebration. Call them for more details:

Avon Theatre, 426 N. Water St., 422-8151

Festivities at the theater include prize giveaways and short subject films beginning at 9 p.m. before the feature presentation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical "The Phantom of the Opera," which plays at 9:30 p.m. Costumes are encouraged. General admission is $7 and $5.50 for seniors and students.

Bizou, 259 N. Main St., 422-7000

A five-course dinner is $100 per person or $175 per couple. The meal includes an appetizer, salad, soup, entree and dessert. Reservations are encouraged.

Block's Brewery, 237 N. Main St., 422-1000

Block's Brewery will celebrate its second anniversary and welcome the New Year with a champagne bar, balloon drop with prizes inside, party favors and DJ Sean Michael. The festivities run from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. There is no cover charge.

Bourbon Barrel Bar and Grill, 1355 N. Illinois 48, 429-7506

A prime rib dinner special for $16.95 will be available from 5 to 10 p.m. The Throttle Junkies will perform from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. There is a $5 cover charge.

CNT's Other Place, 1770 E. Pershing Road, 875-6062

Food, a midnight toast, favors and entertainment will begin at 9 p.m. Cover is $3. People are encouraged to dress in pajamas for their pajama party theme.

Curly's Bar and Grill, 2683 N. Water St., 875-9800

Karaoke, party favors, giveaways start at 9 p.m.

Decatur Conference Center and Hotel, 4191 West U.S. 36, 422-8800

Two packages are available for families (two adults and two children) at $190 and $195 for couples. The family package includes a standard sleeping room, dinner, bounce house, miniature golf, clown, magic show, face painting, movies, party favors, DJ and snacks. For each additional child 14 and under, the cost is an additional $15, and for each additional person 15 and older, the cost is an extra $25.

The package for couples include a room for two, dinner at JR's Steakhouse, a live jazz band, midnight champagne toast, a cash bar and continental breakfast. Both packages include fireworks at midnight. A New Year's Day Breakfast at Greenhouse Restaurant can be purchased separately for $8.95.

Decatur Indoor Sports Center, 1295 W. Wood St., 429-3472

The sports center is having its New Year's celebration from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. today. Kids ages 5 to 11 can bring in the New Year early with basketball, soccer, track, crafts, a movie, cake and ice cream and more at Cost is $20 for park district residents and $25 for nonresidents.

Elbow Room Lounge, 3775 N. Woodford St., 875-3067

Party favors, champagne and Stevie Ray Kelton, who will put on a DJ and karaoke show; prize drawings, special drinks and playing "Buzz" the video game will be offered. Festivities begin at 8 p.m. There is a cover charge.

Firewater Cafe, 888 W. Eldorado St., 429-3395

A steak and shrimp dinner will be offered for $50 per couple. Dinner begins at 5 p.m. Reservations are encouraged.

Headliners, 2553 N. 22nd St., 422-6713

The local band The Click performs at 9 p.m. There is a $5 cover charge.

Just One More, 3430 N. 22nd St., 875-0589

Contests, prize drawings and champagne at midnight will be offered. Canned beer for $1 will also be available. Festivities begin at 7 p.m.

Katz, 112 Merchant St., 429-5289

Katz will be having a Black and White Ball beginning at 7 p.m. with hors d'oeuvres, party favors, unlimited drinks and champagne. The cost is $60. Reservations are encouraged.

Lock Stock & Barrel, 129 S. Oakland Ave., 429-7411

Admission is $55 per person or $100 per couple. The price includes DJ David Lee, hors d'oeuvres, champagne, party favors and a breakfast buffet. Festivities run from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m.

Pla-Mor Lanes, 2121 N. 22nd St., 428-2222

From 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., up to six people can bowl on a lane for $100 per lane. The price also includes two pizzas, two liters of Pepsi, techno bowling and party favors. In-person reservations are required.

Sliderz, 5995 East U.S. 36, 864-9227

The band Black 'N' Blue performs starting at 9 p.m., and there will be a champagne toast at midnight. Cover is $5.

Shorty's Bar and Grill, 1423 E. Mound Road, 876-8859

Shorty's opens at 3 p.m. and will have food for 99 cents all day. A DJ will entertain starting at 8 p.m. Party favors and a champagne toast at midnight will be available. A $5 cover will be charged starting at 8 p.m.

Spare Time Lanes, 2870 N. Jasper St., 875-3141

Families can bowl from 6:30 to 9 p.m. for $70 per lane, six people per lane. The family package includes pizza, pop and party favors. Bowling will also be available from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. for $80 per lane, six people per lane. The package includes pizza, champagne or soft drinks and party favors. Reservations are required and must be paid for by Saturday.

Timbuktu, 5843 East U.S. 36, 864-2826

A buffet-style roast pork tenderloin dinner will be offered for $20. The local band The Antics will entertain, and there will be a midnight champagne toast. Festivities run from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Alicia Spates can be reached at aspates@herald-review.com or 421-6986.