CHAKA KHAN CAN'T WAIT FOR Y2K FESTIVITIES.

Byline: Fred Shuster Music Writer

For most performers, New Year's Eve is a priority booking. For r&b diva Chaka Khan, Universal Studios Hollywood's Millennium Dance Party represents the start of an unusually full year.

On Dec. 31, the studio will play host to the gala millennium event, which also features such musical acts as electro-pop group Berlin, new wavers Missing Persons and salsa star Yari More performing in themed party areas topped off by a choreographed display of fireworks.

Guests will go footloose in the park with four dance areas - a high-energy Rio carnival, a masquerade ball, a red-carpet Hollywood movie premiere and a romantic escape area.

``I just enjoy performing - period,'' says Khan, who sang with r&b group Rufus from 1972-78 before going solo. ``If the sound is good, the vibes are there and people are into it, I don't care where I sing.''

The year 2000 will be heralded at Universal with explosions, confetti cannons and party favors while the celebration continues until 2 a.m. to allow guests to keep dancing or enjoying such attractions as Terminator 2: 3D, Jurassic Park - The Ride, Back to the Future and Backdraft.

New Year's Eve has long been a favorite night in the Khan household, and the vocalist plans to catch some of the other acts on the Universal lot.

``I wouldn't say there's competition on a night like Dec. 31, but we all want to do our best,'' she said. ``We want to give our all for a crowd that wants to have a night to remember.''

Since 1978, the Grammy-winning Khan has released a series of solo albums and cut vocals with Prince, Steve Winwood, David Bowie and Quincy Jones.

Expect to hear a selection of familiar tunes from Khan on New Year's, including the Top 40 hits ``Tell Me Something Good,'' ``You Got the Love,'' ``Sweet Thing,'' ``Once You Get Started,'' ``I Feel for You'' and ``I'll Be Good to You.''

You see, the Illinois-born Khan says she never tires of singing her hits.

``I'm one of those people that's just happy to do music for the love of music,'' she says. ``If there's someone out there who wants to hear me perform something in particular, I'll always be happy to do it.''

Released this summer, Khan's 20th album, ``Come 2 My House'' (New Power Generation Records), includes 10 songs written or co-written by Prince.

``Prince financed the entire project,'' Khan said. ``He's really a lovely human being. He's a little shy and misunderstood, but he's lovely. There was no pressure. It was the perfect partnership.''

Next year, Khan plans to release a new album and will launch a year 2000 tour, perhaps with a visit to Europe or Asia.

``I love what I do,'' she insists. ``That's what keeps me going, no matter how busy or tired I might get. I just love the music.''

The facts

What: Millennium Dance Party.

Who: Chaka Khan, Berlin, Missing Persons and Yari More.

Where: Universal Studios Hollywood.

When: 9 p.m. Dec. 31.

Tickets: $99 and $250.

Information: [phone].

Partying for millennium at just about every price

``A Salute to the Music of Frank Sinatra,'' by the Nelson Riddle Orchestra and special guest Harry Connick Sr., dinner offered, Dec. 31, 7 p.m., Sportsmen's Lodge, Studio City. Tickets start at $199.99. Call [phone].

New Year's Eve Millennium celebration features Roslyn Kind, dinner offered, Dec. 31, Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, 7000 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles. Tickets are $175. Call [phone].

A children's concert in the park will be featured at ``Le Jazz Hot 2000,'' Dec. 31., 11 a.m., Hahn Amphitheater, Palm Desert. Free. Call [phone].

Eight popular bands and unlimited dining and dancing will be featured in eight ballrooms at The Queen Mary, dinner included, Dec. 31, 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., Long Beach. Tickets are $300. Call [phone].

A plethora of DJs from the United States and beyond will be featured at ``Together as One,'' Dec. 31, Sports Arena, Lo`s Angeles. Tickets start at $30. Call [phone].

Disney will unveil ``Fantasia 2000'' at its Fantasia 2000 Black-Tie Gala featuring the band Chicago, dinner included, Dec. 31, Pasadena Civic Auditorium, 300 E. Green St., Pasadena. Tickets are $2,000. Call [phone].

Seats are still available for the Eagles on New Year's Eve at Staples Center. Ticket prices for the event, also featuring Jackson Browne and Linda Ronstadt, are $50, $75, $125, $150, $200, $350, $500, $750 and $1,000. Staples Center is at 865 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles. Information: [phone].

New Year's Eve Millennium Party will feature eight live bands, music, food, dancing and fireworks, 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Dec. 31. Queen Mary, south end of the 710 freeway at Long Beach Harbor. Tickets are $300. Call [phone].

A Caribbean style Y2K New Year's Eve Party will ring in the millennium with dancing, live music and magicians, dinner included, Dec. 31, 8 p.m., Cha Cha Cha, 17499 Ventura Blvd., Encino. Tickets are $140. Call [phone].

Guests will be greeted by strolling violinists as they are escorted to a view of Los Angeles at McCormick & Schmick's Millennium Spectacular, dinner included, Dec. 31, 9 p.m., McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant, 633 W. Fifth St., downtown Los Angeles. Tickets are $200. Call [phone].

New Year's Eve Millennium Family Party will feature dove and magic shows by members of the Magic Castle, dinner included, Dec. 31, 7:30 p.m., Golden Dragon Restaurant, 960 N. Broadway, Los Angeles. Tickets are $125 for adults, $50 for children under 15. Call [phone].

A evening of nonstop Latin music will be featured at ``Latin Gala 2000,'' dinner offered, Dec. 31, 9 p.m., Hollywood Palladium, 6215 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. Tickets start at $100. Call [phone].

A Millennium Blues Bash, starring Guitar Shorty, includes dancing, party favors and a balloon drop, dinner offered, Dec. 31, 5 p.m., B.B. King's Blues Club and Restaurant, Universal Cit`yWalk. Tickets start at $25. Call [phone].

Los Lobos will be featured at The Alameda at the Civic Center, which will include entertainment for children and international food, Dec. 31, noon to 1 a.m., Plaza Olvera, downtown Los Angeles. Free. Call [phone].

Jimmy Buffett will be performing at ``Buffett by the Beach,'' dinner included, Dec. 31, 7 p.m, Universal Amphitheatre, Universal Studios, Hollywood. Tickets start at $500. Call [phone].

Enter the New Year with Roy ``Guitar'' Gaines and a champagne toast at midnight, dinner offered, Dec. 31, 6:30 p.m., at the Sunset Room, 1430 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood. Tickets start at $100. Call [phone].

A good-bye to 1999 will include a piano/accordion player and line dancing, Dec. 19, 3 p.m., Jewish Community Center, 13164 Burbank Blvd., Sherman Oaks. Tickets start at $5. Call [phone].

New Year's Eve at Crustacean Restaurant features live entertainment and dancing, dinner included, Dec. 31, 5 p.m. and 9 p.m., 9649 Little Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. Tickets start at $125. Call [phone].

A celebration features live entertainment at Chaya Brasserie, dinner included, Dec. 31, 8 p.m., 8741 Alden Drive, Los Angeles. Tickets are $190.90. Call [phone].

Live entertainment and a magician are on the menu at Chaya Venice, dinner included, Dec. 31, 9 p.m., 110 Navy St., Venice. Tickets are $225. Call [phone].

Music and dancing will be featured at La Cachette, dinner included, Dec. 31, 5:30 p.m. and 10 p.m., 10506 Little Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles. Tickets start at $170. Call [phone].

Live entertainment from local musical acts will be featured at Amazon's New Year's Eve Bash, dinner included, Dec. 31, 6 p.m., 14649 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. Tickets are $49. Call [phone].

Dancing to music from ragtime to rock 'n' roll will be featured at The Bistro Garden, dinner offered, Dec. 31, 9:30 p.m., 12950 Ventura Blvd., Studio City. Tickets start` at $85. Call [phone].

Musicians and a belly dancer will entertain guests at The Greek Bistro, dinner included, Dec. 31, 9 p.m., 17337 Ventura Blvd., Encino. Tickets are $155. Call [phone].

Food, dance lessons, kids activities and more will be held at ``Celebrate L.A. 2000'', which will feature the band Tierra, Van Nuys Airport, Dec. 31, noon. Free tickets available at grocery stores and city libraries. Call [phone].

A costume party, music and strolling musicians will be featured at Taix French Restaurant, dinner offered, Dec. 31., 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., 19111 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. Tickets start at $39. Call [phone].

A variety of salsa, Cuban music and Latin jazz will be featured at Ciudad, dinner offered, Dec. 31, 5:30 and 9:30 p.m., 445 S. Figueroa, Suite 100, Los Angeles. Tickets start at $75. Call [phone].

Live music and dancing will be part of the festivities at Locanda del Lago, dinner included, Dec. 31, 9 p.m., Third Street Promenade at 231 Arizona Ave., Santa Monica. Tickets are $129. Call [phone].

A live band and dancing at the SkyBar will be included with Asia de Cuba's millennium bash, dinner and bottle of wine included, Dec. 31, 9 p.m., Mondrian Hotel, 8440 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. Tickets are $750. Call [phone].

The Viennese New Year's Eve celebration will be re-created for ``Salute to Vienna,'' with the Pasadena Symphony, dinner offered, Jan. 1, 8 p.m. Pasadena Civic Auditorium. Tickets start at $45. Call [phone].

A millennium party featuring 80 hours of music and dancing at ``New Year's Jazz at Indian Wells,'' dinner offered, Dec. 29 through Jan. 1, Renaissance Esmeralda Hotel and Hyatt Grand Champions Hotel, Indian Wells, 17 miles past the Palm Springs exit. Tickets start at $75. Call [phone].

CAPTION(S):

3 Photos, box

Photo: (1 -- cover -- color) 2000 possibilities

Our guide to the best in New Year's Eve music, food and fun

John McCoy/Staff Photographer

(2) ``I wouldn't say there's competition on a night like Dec. 31, but we all want to do our best,'' says Chaka Khan. ``We want to give our all for a crowd that wants to have a nig`ht to remember.''

(3) Whether you're willing to pay $5, $2,000 - or even nothing - there's a millennium event out there for you.

Box: Partying for the millennium at just about every price (See text)