First Night Boston 2007 Announces Event Highlights

(PRWeb) December 5, 2006 -- First Night Boston is the country's oldest and largest New Year's arts celebration. On Dec. 31, 2006 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 2007 will feature over 1000 artists in 250 exhibitions and performances in over 40 locations in downtown Boston. Listed below are some of the highlights of this year's festival.

The Holmes Brothers at the Berklee Performance Center
Since joining forces in 1979, the Holmes Brothers have been bringing their brand of gospel-inflected spiritually moving, funky music to audiences around the world. Their breathtaking harmonies resonate with a passion and conviction matched only by their inspired musicianship and their ability to perform sanctified gospel, low-down roadhouse blues, deep soul, barroom country and pure pop -- all in one set. They've recorded with Van Morrison, Peter Gabriel, Odetta, Phoebe Snow, Jungle Brothers and Joan Osborne. (Presented with WUMB Folk Radio and The Boston-Baystate Banner)

Flexitoons, New England Anime at MCCA Family Festival at the Hynes Convention Center
The world-famous Flexitoons puppets, perhaps best known for their work on Thomas the Tank Engine with Ringo Starr and George Carlin, create a highly imaginative world of puppets, marionettes, shadows, sets and blacklight magic, combined with smart scripts, appealing voices and unique music. They will present a new adaptation of "Hamlin," the classic truth telling tale; New England Anime, back by popular demand, present the best in old and new Japanese animation. A complete schedule will be available soon. (Anime presented with WFNX)

Carolina Chocolate Drops at Emmanuel Church
This group of young African-American string band musicians have come together to play Carolina Piedmont fiddle and banjo music. They carry on the tradition of black musicians like Odell and Nate Thompson, Dink Roberts, John Snipes, Libba Cotton, Emp White and countless others who have passed beyond memory and recognition. They have been under the tutelage of Joe Thompson (said to be the last black traditional string band player) and strive to carry on the long-standing traditional music of black and white communities. (Sponsored by AAA of Southern New England)

Mary Gauthier and John Doe at the Orpheum Theater
Country-noir singer/songwriter and native Louisianian and former Bostonian Mary Gauthier (pronounced go-SHAY) is often compared to artists like Townes Van Zandt, John Prine and Lucinda Williams. Her dark, mature, weather-beaten songs tell tales of longing and redemption, steeped in southern gothic imagery. As one of the founding members of the Los Angeles band X, John Doe is of the most influential artists in American alternative rock. His solo career, launched in the early 90's, marked a departure from X's fierce but tuneful punk rock, as he explored the more rootsy country elements hinted at on later X albums. Doe makes his First Night debut, performing solo.
(Presented with 92.5 The River)

Grigory Goryachev at First Church
Russian-born Dorchester classical guitarist Goryachev has been acclaimed the world over for his blinding virtuosity and extraordinary musical sensitivity. As a master of both flamenco and classical styles, he has created a new genre all his own, and garnered praise from many guitar luminaries. (Presented with WCRB)

Eva Dean's "Bounce" at John Hancock Hall
"Bounce" is a captivating theatrical experience featuring dances with balls. A kaleidoscope assortment of colors, textures and sizes, these spheres are more to Bounce than mere props. Six performers use balls as dancing partners that extend movement possibilities and performance intention. Images of serene orbiting planets, a Busby Berkeley-inspired water ballet, a genie balanced on a pearl in the desert, a mysterious Egyptian moon garden, and an ancient Irish dance with a crystal ball inspire this atmospheric journey. (Sponsored by State Street Corporation)

Pat Olezsko's "The Fool Emporium: A Snide Slide Show" at the Park Plaza Castle
Nestled into the vast interior of the Park Plaza Castle, renowned visual artist Pat Oleszko creates an installation -- a plethora of paltry pulchritude, a dizzying display of dynamics, a fountain of fearsome fortitude, and a contrarian's concept of come-uppance. In short, the castle is turned into a contemporary display of dis playin' around.

Tony V. and Frank Santorelli at the Park Plaza Castle
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. Another TV star, Frank Santorelli, will join Tony. You may recognize Frank as Georgie, the bartender at the Bada-Bing on HBO's The Sopranos, but before the bright lights of New Jersey came calling, Frank was (still is) big man on the Boston Comedy circuit.

In addition to these and other great indoor 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, broadcast by First Night's exclusive television sponsor CBS4, plus two midnight countdowns, both broadcast live on CBS4, with Jack Williams and Lisa Hughes at Copley Square and Joyce Kulhawik at the Parkman Bandstand on Boston Common.
   
This will be the 31st 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 31 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 just $15 (children under 4 are free) and will be available beginning Nov. 24 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 complete list, see www.firstnight.org after Nov. 16. Buttons can be ordered online now from www.firstnight.org. Information about performances and exhibits at First Night Boston 2007 will be available at www.firstnight.org on November 16.

First Night Boston, Inc. is an independent, 501©3 non-profit organization. It is supported by public and private contributions, sponsorships, and through the admission sales of the First Night button. First Night Boston is grateful for the support of its major sponsors:: The City of Boston, Thomas M. Menino, Mayor; CBS4, The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, Verizon Yellow Pages, The Boston Foundation, the Linde Family Foundation, an Anonymous Foundation, Massachusetts Cultural Council, GBCVB, the MBTA and Metro Boston. In addition to CBS4 and Metro Boston, First Night's media partners include The Boston Parents Paper, Bay State Banner, The River 92.5, WFNX, WCRB, Clear Channel Outdoor, Boston.com, Edgeboston.com and Wall USA. In addition, the non-commercial Folk Radio WUMB offers promotional support.

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