YOU CAN DANCE ALL NIGHT AT EVE PARTY FOR Y2K

Two bands alternating sets will provide continuous music for the gala Y2K Eve Party that will be held Dec. 31 at the Show Me Center. Atlantic Express from Kansas City and Cape Girardeau's own Jerry Ford Orchestra will provide dinner and dance music throughout the evening for the New Year's Eve gala, said David Ross, director of the Show Me Center and a member of the Y2K Eve Committee. "One band can't play all night. The musicians have to take breaks," Ross said. "But I know for me, once I start dancing, once my wife drags me out on the dance floor, I don't want to stop." So the two bands will alternate hourlong sets. That way if a couple wants to dance all night, they never have to take a break, Ross said. The music will start about 7:30 p.m. and continue until 1:15 "or later if we're really having fun," Ross said. The Jerry Ford Orchestra will begin the evening, playing jazz during dinner. Then they will move into swing and dance music of the '30s, '40s and '50s for dance set. Atlantic Express plays Motown sound and rock music from the 1960s, '70s and '80s, Ross said."They have five vocalist and each has a different style," he said. "One may impersonate Barry White and they'll do some of his songs. The woman singer may do Diana Ross and they play some Supremes numbers."Tickets to the Y2K Eve Party are $100 each. That admission price includes a dinner buffet, two drink tickets, a bottle of champagne for each table of eight, breakfast, souvenir program, souvenir champagne glass and party favors. There will be a video system running coverage of millennium celebrations from other areas of the world and an indoor fireworks display.

About 600 of the 1,000 tickets available have been sold. For information on purchasing tickets, call the Show Me Center at 651-5000.