With New Year’s Eve only a few short weeks away, now is the time to plan the festivities for the most exciting night of the year. With the variety of activities and celebrations it has to offer on New Year’s Eve, Branson is the perfect locale to celebrate the departure of 2010 and early hours of 2011!

Kirby VanBurch will not disappoint you or your family with the delightful Magical New Year’s Eve Show he has planned for this year. The show’s unbelievable illusions will amaze the young and entertain audience members of all ages, and performances by his exotic animals assure that the evening will be memorable for all. Guests will enjoy a box dinner, party hats, sparkling non-alcoholic wine, and other exciting features. The party begins at 9 p.m. and ends at midnight.

Another option for singles, couples and families on New Year’s Eve is the Magical New Year’s Eve Fiesta at Hamner Barber Theater. The Hamners and their tropical parrots are sure to amaze audiences with the incredible illusions they have planned for the evening, and Jim Barber’s comedic ventriloquism routine, full of hilarious characters, will keep the audience laughing well into the New Year. Food will be provided by Qdoba Mexican Grill, and audiences will enjoy non-alcoholic beverages, festive party favors, and contests with fabulous prizes! The party begins at 9 p.m. and culminates in a magical toast at midnight. 

Don’t forget to secure your tickets to either of these exciting New Year’s Eve events or you will risk missing out on a memorable evening. Check out some of the Branson shows and lodging for your stay at BransonShows.com.

As Branson’s 2010 season draws near, constant reports of new acts are beginning to be announced. The latest news out of Branson indicates that funnymen Ray Stevens and Paul Harris will be returning after brief departures, offering Ozarks visitors a variety of quality, laugh-out-loud entertainment options!

Paul Harris, noted for his seamless combination of down-home humor and earnest musical talent, will be filling seats at Music City Centre, though exact show dates have yet to be announced. Those that have seen Paul’s past performances at the Clay Cooper Theater and Yakov’s Theatre can expect the same brand of honest comedy and equally impressive musical numbers while first-time visitors will quickly learn why Paul is considered one of the top comedians to ever grace a Branson stage.

Having laid the foundation for many comedian-songwriters such as Paul, the legendary Ray Stevenswill also be returning to Branson with his iconic sense of humor still very much intact. Ray will call the Welk Resort Theater home from September 15 through October 23, presenting guests with classics such as “The Streak,” as well as new material that includes “We the People.”

Along with the addition of Paul Harris and Ray Stevens, Branson’s comedy scene will be rounded out by Jim Stafford, Yakov Smirnoff, Red Skelton, Bob Nelson, Keith “Red” Allen, and the Comedy Jamboree for a variety of light-hearted entertainment and laughs.

Celebrating its sixth year in Branson, the Hamner Barber Variety Show has continued to appeal to audiences of any age through a variety of illusions, ventriloquism, comedy, singing, and dancing. The show features Dave and Denise Hamner in partnership with comedian Jim Barber for what has been hailed a “must-see show” in Branson.

This year’s performances, which take place every Tuesday through Sunday until December 13, have taken on a new feature: a Veteran’s Tribute titled “Thank You’s Not Enough.” The near 10-minute tribute serves as the finale to the Hamner Barber Variety Show and includes an original song composed by Bobby Hamilton specifically for this production. Dave Hamner and Jim Barber share the stage and provide the vocals to the song, while a video shown across the theater’s three screens tells the tale of three surviving members of the World War II Battle of Iwo Jima. The background vocals in conjunction with the on-screen history lesson have earned Hamner and Barber the National Commendation from the U.S. Army, while also proving to be a consistently powerful and emotional experience.

The Hamners and Jim Barber are no strangers to widespread acclaim. The Hamners are two-time Merlin Award winners of the International Entertainers of the Year, as voted by the International Magicians Society, and Jim Barber has showcased his talent on every major television network. He, too, is a Merlin Award winner as International Ventriloquist of the Year. The aduience favorites combine the talents of award-winning illusions and vocal comedy in what is certain to be a one-of-a-kind evening you won’t soon forget.

Click here to view a full schedule, purchase tickets, or read additional information about the Hamner Barber Variety Show. For a full list of lodging options and additional Branson information, visit BransonShows.com.