By Rocco Colella
For 29 years, First Night has transformed Boston into something special; bringing together a wide array of cultural and artistic expression into one event that starts the new year off right.
This year’s event, beginning at 1 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 31, will feature a variety of musical acts, art exhibits and cultural activities. The events will run through midnight and culminate with a countdown to the new year in Copley Square in front of the Boston Public Library.
All events throughout the city can be accessed with a $15 all-inclusive button for patrons available at several locations around the city.
For students who will need to cut their winter breaks short either to start a co-op job or prepare for classes, the First Night celebration is a classic event that must be experienced, said sophomore criminology and law major Elena D’Agostino.
“It was like a party on the Common,” D’Agostino said. “There were so many people just having a good time.”
First Night is Boston’s self-proclaimed “party of the year,” according to Boston’s First Night Web site, www.firstnight.org. Over 30 venues throughout the city open themselves up to host over 250 activities for the celebration.
First Night’s Director of Media Relations Joyce Linehan is eagerly awaiting this year’s event. With an estimated total budget of $1.2 million, the day and night will surely be one to remember, she said.
“Ice sculptures are a huge part of First Night Boston, and this year will be no different,” Linehan said.
Sculptor Steve Rose will be unveiling his “Ice Dragon” on Boston Common, while Brookline natives Eric Fontecchio and Alfred Georgs will be displaying their “First Night Big Top” circus-themed sculpture at Copley.
Northeastern will also be joining in on the celebration, displaying an eight-foot tall sculpture of the Husky mascot in Krentzman Quad.
Hynes Convention Center, located next to the Prudential Center on Boylston Street, will host the The Enchanted Village, a walking exhibit featuring animated teddy bears and animals in a winter village setting, starting in the afternoon and running until 6 p.m.
Grammy nominated singer-songwriter Zak Morgan will stop by the convention center to perform an interactive show filled with songs and stories. Also at the convention center is “The Urban Nutcracker,” which puts a hip-hop twist on the age-old tale at 3:30 p.m. and 4:45 p.m.
The show’s organizer, Emerson Kington, said the hip-hop show “celebrates the city’s diversity, unites people and communities and provides new opportunities to dancers of all skill levels and backgrounds.”
“Like our dancers, the Urban Nutcracker’s audience is equally rich and dynamic, bringing life into the heart of Boston during the holidays,” Kington said.
There are plenty of afternoon activities that appeal more to adults as well. The Coolidge Corner Movie Theater will be presenting the “First Night Film Festival” from noon to midnight. Films slated to be shown include “Looney Tunes Extravaganza,” “A League of Ordinary Gentleman” and “Merchant of Venice,” with Al Pacino.
The Boston City Singers will be performing at the First and Second Church at 66 Marlborough St. in the afternoon. Get ready for choral renditions of all genres of music, from classical to jazz.
The Museum of Fine Arts will be opening up its doors for free for the first 500 patrons.
The Boston Common fireworks kick off at around 7 p.m., and begin the evening portion of the festivities. John Hancock Hall will be presenting two dance shows, “Snappy Dance” and “Nut/Cracked.”
Snappy is a dance performance troupe that will be dancing repertory works, including pieces from its newest show, “The Temperamental Wabble.”
“Nut/Cracked” is a contemporary dance version of the holiday classic “The Nutcracker.”
Stop by the Orpheum Theater at 1 Hamilton Place at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. to catch Bill Janovitz (former frontman of Buffalo Tom) ‘ Crown Victoria performing their pop-rock hits and gems from their new CD, “Fireworks on TV.”
The Berklee Performance Center will be showcasing The Family Jewels, a new musical group with a love for roots music, with sounds ranging from doo-wop to R’B.
With a First Night button, city visitors and residents will be able to access all First Night has to offer. Buttons cost $15 each, with children under four free. They can be purchased around the city at various locations, including Shaw’s Supermarkets, Store 24, Borders Books, The Museum of Fine Arts and the Mary Baker Eddy Library.
The buttons can also be used until March 2005 for discounts at various locations throughout the city.
At Blue Man Group at the Charles Street Playhouse, flash a First Night button and get a free gift for any weekday performance from Jan. 1 through March 31.
Most Boston Symphony Orchestra performances in January will be 15 percent off with a button and the Coolidge Corner Theater will give a free small bag of popcorn with a button in January.
For more information about First Night events, including the times for each activity, visit www.firstnight.org.
