By SUSAN PARK

Peter English, the impresario who serves as programming director each year for the Fremont Fair, will be holding a New Year's Eve gala to usher in the new year.

The event isn't just about having fun - it will also benefit a worthy cause, with a portion of the proceeds being donated to the Fremont Public Association.

Titled the "Absolut Red, White & Blue Ball," the event will feature live music and dancing on three floors at the Bell Harbor International Conference Center on Pier 66 (at Bell Street). The gala will be held on Monday, Dec. 31, beginning at 8 p.m.

The Dudley Manlove Quartet, a popular party band that plays dance/sing-along hits of the '60s, '70s and '80s, will perform in the Grand Ballroom, also known as the Elliot Hall Ballroom. Seattle deejay McQueen Lucky will spin recorded disco/funk dance party music before, in-between and after Dudley Manlove's sets.

Two Latin dance bands, Yerbabuena, a 12-piece Cuban-style Charanga and Son Orchestra, and Cambalache, a nine-piece traditional Salsa band accompanied by DJ Cesar, will take turns performing in the upstairs ballroom.

Southern blues singer Kevan Edwards will perform with the New Light Band in the "Lovers Lounge," aka Grand Concourse. Cocktails and espresso drinks will also be available for purchase in the lounge.

Security will be of the utmost concern, promises English, whose Ballard-based company, PEP Productions, has hired a staff of more than 30 guards, including five uniformed police officers, who will be on duty throughout the evening. English adds that the Port of Seattle already guards the Bell Harbor International Conference Center 24-hours a day, making it "a very safe location." Covered and secure parking is available for 1,000 cars across the street from the venue, with a covered walkway leading to the event.

Attendees are encouraged to dress in creative semi-formal party attire. Complimentary party favors will be provided.

PEP Productions has a track record of putting on big New Year's Eve bashes. Two years ago, English's company produced the "Center of the Universe Ball" in Fremont which drew over 2,500 people and resulted in coverage on several Seattle television news broadcasts, as well as a front-page photo on the Jan. 1 issue of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. The success of that event was especially noteworthy because it took place in the wake of the Seattle WTO riots and amid the concerns of a possible terrorist attack at the Millennium celebration that had been planned at the Seattle Center that year.

This year, following the tragic events of Sept. 11, Seattle once again faces challenges, as does the entire nation. Nevertheless, English believes "it is vitally important to continue on with activities. Celebrating new Year's Eve is an all-American pastime, and participating in any New Year's Eve event can perhaps bring us closer as a society."

Advance tickets to the "Absolut Red, White & Blue Ball" are still available at $50 per person, through Dec. 30, and can be purchased at Ticketmaster outlets as well as online at ticketmaster.com. In North Seattle, tickets can also be purchased at Sonic Boom Records in Fremont and Ballard, which is charging a modest additional service fee of $1 per ticket. You must be 21 or over to attend.

For more information, call 633-4828 or visit the Web site www.redwhiteandblueball.com. b