"The bad, blue makeup was a very ’80s thing to do, too.”

click to enlarge Neon New Year features food, live music, dancing, drinks and more. (Bigstock.com)
Bigstock.com
Neon New Year features food, live music, dancing, drinks and more.

Grand Casino Hotel & Resort rings in 2016 with ’80s flair during its exclusive Neon New Year event 9 p.m. Dec. 31 at Grand Event Center, 777 Grand Casino Blvd., in Shawnee.

Partygoers are encouraged to dust off their Guess jeans and Members Only jackets and come dressed in their best ’80s outfits.

“It’s all about big hair,” said Dan Kuziej, director of hotel sales, events and entertainment, “and it’s time to whip out those platform shoes and polyester shirts. The bad, blue makeup was a very ’80s thing to do, too.”

The event’s large, lit dance floor will bring back those Richard Simmons dance moves and encourage you to boogie into your New Year’s weight-loss resolutions.

From 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., return to a time when Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson and Madonna dominated radio airwaves and pop music charts as Oklahoma band Superfreak brings its retro-fantastical live show back to Grand Casino. Known for its outrageous costumes, the funk, rock and disco act’s shows feature smoke machines, light displays and choreography.

click to enlarge Superfreak (Provided)
Provided
Superfreak

From Oklahoma City, Edmond and Choctaw, the four-piece has performed individually on Broadway, The Tonight Show and Conan.

Kuziej said Neon New Year guests can enjoy party favors and drinks from the cash bar throughout the evening.

Last year’s signature drink was the Lava Lamp, made with colored Jell-O shots in a champagne flute. Kuziej said the popular cocktail might make another appearance this year.

At midnight, everyone can make sparkling wine toasts to health and happiness in 2016 amid the hoopla of a midnight balloon drop.

“The bottom line for us is that we all work for the people that walk in that front door,” Kuziej said. “We want to make sure each person has an equally amazing experience.”

The retro-themed event sold out last year, and about half of the 300 tickets have are already sold for this year’s event.

Event tickets are $60, and an overnight hotel package for two guests is available for $350. All guests must be age 21 or older.

“There will be lots of entertainment, and you can take the elevator home so you don’t need to go anywhere at all,” Kuziej said. Limited hotel reservations are still available.

“We tend to book up fast,” Kuziej said. “Around [December] 23 or so, it starts getting kind of crazy because people start to realize that New Year’s Eve is like a week away.”

Grand Casino Hotel & Resort offers eight eateries, including Flame Brazilian Steakhouse, The Grand Stand Sports Grille, Grand Café, Fire and Ice, Soto Sushi Bar, IceBar, The Grand Buffet and Subway. The restaurants are now taking New Year’s Eve reservations.

That night, local band 80’z Enuff performs popular 1980s dance music at a no-charge set 9 p.m.-1 a.m. in the casino’s South Event Center.

click to enlarge (Cover illustration by Anna Shilling)
Cover illustration by Anna Shilling

Print Headline: Totally awesome, Take the short drive to Grand Casino Hotel & Resort’s retro-fantastic, ’80s-themed holiday blowout.

  • or