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First Night Boston 2008
First Night
Boston is the country's oldest and largest New Year's arts
celebration. On Dec. 31, 2007 from 1 p.m. to midnight, First Night
presents a day-long festival of art, music, dance, ice sculpture,
fireworks and more. First Night is an alcohol-free event that
welcomes children, families and revelers of all ages to celebrate
community and unity through the arts. First Night 2008 will
feature over 1000 artists in 200 exhibitions and performances in
over 40 locations in downtown Boston.
First Night Events are held at Various locations
Phone: 617-542-1399
Date: 12/31/2007
Some of this year's festival highlights include:
The MCCA Family Festival at the Hynes
ConventionCenter
The
Family Festival features all kinds of entertainment and activities
for all members of the family.? In addition to face painting and
crafts workshops, there will be puppet shows, music, comedians,
jugglers, stunts and more.? Don't miss ImprovBoston Kids
Comedy, geared toward kids 8 - 12, or original songs from
composer David Polansky whose young kids' repertoire is
sure to please.? Neighborhood children also perform, with CV
Drumbeats' Cape Verdean rhythms, Chu Ling Dance Academy's
traditional and contemporary Chinese dance, and the dynamic baton
twirling of Jamaica Plain's Estrellas Tropicales.?
Sponsored by the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority and
The Boston Parents Paper. Times and room locations
TBA.
?
David
Parker & the Bang Group's "Annie's Got a Gun" at John Hancock
Hall
Following
his internationally acclaimed Nut/Cracked, chorepgrapher David
Parker turns his anarchic but loving eye to Irving Berlin's
proto-feminist ode to the wild west.? Parker creates an
unforgettable evening as he both skewers and reinvents standards
like "There's No Business Like Show Business," "I Got the Sun in
the Morning," "The Girls That I Marry," and more with his
subversive and energized choreography.? Parker's rhythmic
innovation, love of musical theater and quick witted insight merge
in a series of short dances, telling a story far greater than that
of Ms. Oakley, Mr. Butler and Buffalo Bill Cody. Sponsored by
State Street and Edgeboston.com. Times TBA.
?
Nathan
and the Zydeco Cha Chas at the Park Plaza Castle
Nathan
and the Zydeco Cha Chas have been an ever-brightening light on the
South Louisiana music scene for almost twenty years. With their
superb musicianship, exciting shows and tightly crafted songs, and
with the unique Caribbean cadence of their grooves, they've
evolved into an international attraction, carving out a niche that
makes them unique among zydeco bands. Nathan's commitment, craft
and soulfulness lift the Zydeco Cha Chas beyond any genre niche -
they're simply a great band.? This is their First Night debut.?
Set times TBA.
?
Harry
and the Potters at the Hynes Convention Center
The idea
is that the Harry Potter from Year 7 and the Harry Potter from
Year 4 started a rock band. And now, no one can stop the wizard
rock.? Times TBA.
?
Tony V.
and Jimmy Dunn at the Orpheum Theatre
Join two
Boston comedy veterans to ring in the New Year with so much
laughter it'll bring you to tears.? Tony V. star of stage, screen
and neighborhood bar, is now a big TV star, with a big role as a
conflicted cop on Showtime's critically acclaimed
Brotherhood, so we should all be grateful that he's
spending New Year's Eve at home with us, his dysfunctional First
Night family. Boston favorite Jimmy Dunn is well known to sports
fans from his hosting of NESN's Fan Attic and appearances
on the Red Sox pre-game shows.? He has been featured on Comedy
Central and Jimmy Kimmel Live.? Times TBA.
?
Birdsongs
of the Mesozoic with Oral Moses "Extreme Spirituals" at Emmanuel
Church
Post-punk,
art-rock pioneers Birdsongs of the Mesozoic do a 180 degree
musical swerve and link up with bass-baritone vocalist Oral Moses,
one of the preeminent African-American performers of traditional
spirituals. They demolish all preconceptions about themselves by
presenting a program of heavily rearranged, well known spirituals
and 19th century art songs. This collaboration represents a new
experiment from all involved - something of a meeting at the
crossroads between two creative parties passing in very different
directions. Together they bring these centuries-old songs kicking
and screaming into the 21st century. Sponsored by AAA of Southern
New England. Times TBA.
?
Valerie
Stephens in "The Art and Time of Nina Simone" at the Park Plaza
Terrace Room
One of
Boston's premiere jazz songstresses performs a tribute to High
Priestess of Soul Nina Simone, with songs from her long and
illustrious career. Sponsored by Edgeboston.com.? Times
TBA.
?
New
Year's Swingin Eve Dance Party with Marie Lawlor
Boston's
favorite swing dance instructor teaches revelers the right moves
to dance their way into the New Year at the Hynes Convention
Center.? Time TBA.
?
Film at
First Night
First
Night's film this year will include everything from perennial
favorites the New England Anime Society and Roxbury Film
Festival, to adventurous programming by Connie White of
Balcony Booking, including sneak previews of big Hollywood
feature films and a special line-up of concert films with the
likes of Jimi Hendrix and Bob Dylan.? In addition,
art-rockers Cul de Sac will provide musical accompaniment
to short films geared toward families and there will be shorts at
Cloud Place by students of the RAW Art Work's "Real to Reel"
program
In
addition to these and other great events, First Night will also
feature five ice sculptures, The Metro Boston First
Night Grand Procession, the Boston Family Fireworks presented by
Mayor Menino and Boston 4 Celebrations, the traditional midnight
fireworks over Boston Harbor, plus a midnight countdown with the
Downbeat 5 and WBZ-TV's Jack Williams and Lisa Hughes at Copley
Square, along with one at the Parkman Bandstand with Hector on
Stilts, and Joyce Kulhawik.?
???????????
This
will be the 32nd First Night Boston.? Founded in 1976, First
Night was started by a group of artists who sought an alternative
to traditional New Year's Eve revelry. The celebration has grown
from a small arts event centered on the Boston Common to an arts
organization that showcases work by Boston's cultural and artistic
community. First Night has gone from attracting about 25,000
people to drawing crowds over one million, and generating an
estimated $47 million dollars in revenue for business in the City
of Boston.? The unique concept that originated in Boston 32 years
ago has served as a model for more than 200 similar celebrations
worldwide.
All First Night outdoor events are free, though supported by
sales of the First Night button, which is the ticket for admission
to all indoor events. Buttons are $15 in advance (children
under 4 admitted free) and will be available beginning Nov. 23 at
Boston-area Shaw?s and Star Markets, Store 24, L?il Peach,
Tedeschi?s, Au Bon Pain and dozens of other locations. For a list
of advance sale locations or to buy buttons online, visit www.firstnight.org. On Dec.
31, buttons at the Hynes Convention Center and First Night button
booths on the Boston Common and Public Garden are $20, and include
a tax-deductible $5 contribution to support the First Night
Neighborhood Network (FNNN) the year-round arts and education
outreach programs of First Night. FNNN serves 2000 children and
families in the Boston area annually, with hands-on workshops that
culminate in performances and exhibitions at First Night.
Information about FNNN is available at www.firstnight.org.
