First Night Boston is America's oldest and largest New Year's Eve arts celebration. First Night 2008 starts at 1 pm on Dec. 31, 2007, and runs until midnight. It will feature more than 1,000 artists in more than 200 exhibitions and performances at more than 40 locations in downtown Boston. You'll want to watch the Boston Family Fireworks over the Common at 7 pm, or the Midnight Fireworks over Boston Harbor, but here are ten other must-see First Night events. (See website for complete details.)
Ice Sculptures
Courtesy First Night BostonA popular free attraction, First Night has six illuminated ice sculptures this year. You can see the artists at work all day on December 31 before the sculptures are lit at dusk.
- On the Common: Mangrove, which celebrates the Everglades, and American Eagle, which celebrates the formerly endangered American Eagle.
- At the New England Aquarium: Shark honors one of the animals featured in the "Killer Instincts" exhibit.
- At Copley Square: Give Us Peace, featuring the Dove of Peace, and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, inspired by the classic children's tale.
- And Northeastern University offers an 8-foot tribute to their mascot, The Husky.
The Metro Boston Grand Procession
Courtesy First Night BostonA First Night tradition, this year's Metro Boston Grand Procession theme is "Look at You, Boston," with dozens of participating groups separated into three sections: Elegance, Excitement, and Color. Each differently-hued section is led by a different piece from the Back Alley Puppet Theatre and Puppeteers Cooperative, whose founders have participated in all 32 Boston First Nights. The procession begins at 5:30 pm in front of the Hynes Convention Center and then proceeds down Boylston Street, turning left on Charles, and ending at Charles and Beacon Streets.
First Night Music Debuts
Courtesy First Night BostonTwo popular musical acts are making their First Night Boston debuts this year—and they couldn't be more different! Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas rose to fame on the South Louisiana music scene and have been serving up their unique brand of zydeco for almost 20 years now. Harry and the Potters is a popular local "wizard rock" band formed in 2002, inspired by the Harry Potter books. Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas play at the Park Plaza Castle, Columbus Ave at Arlington St; Harry and the Potters play at the Hynes Convention Center, 900 Boylston St.
The MCCA Family Festival at the Hynes Convention Center
Courtesy First Night BostonThe Family Festival features a variety of entertainment and activities, including face painting, crafts workshops, puppet shows, music, comedians, jugglers, and stunts, as well as performances by ImprovBoston Kids Comedy, David Polansky, and local youth performance groups such as Chu Ling Dance Academy and Jamaica Plain's Estrellas Tropicales baton twirlers. Hynes Convention Center, 900 Boylston St.
Tony V. and Jimmy Dunn at the Orpheum Theatre
Courtesy First Night Boston Boston comedy veterans Tony V. and Jimmy Dunn have one goal for New Year's—to make you laugh until you cry. Tony V. is perhaps best recognized for his role as a conflicted cop on Showtime's critically acclaimed Brotherhood, and sports fans will recognize Frank Santorelli from NESN's Fan Attic and Red Sox pre-game shows, as well as appearances on Comedy Central and Jimmy Kimmel Live. Orpheum Theatre, One Hamilton Place.
Birdsongs of the Mesozoic with Oral Moses "Extreme Spirituals"
Courtesy First Night Boston Post-punk eclectic rockers Birdsongs of the Mesozoic join bass-baritone vocalist Oral Moses, one of the preeminent African-American performers of traditional spirituals, to present "Extreme Spirituals," a program of reinterpreted traditional gospel songs and spirituals. At Emmanuel Church, 15 Newbury St.
David Parker & the Bang Group's "Annie's Got a Gun" at John Hancock Hall
Courtesy First Night BostonChoreographer David Parker (Nut/Cracked) brings his wit and musical theatre talent to this reinvention of Irving Berlin's classic Annie Get Your Gun, lovingly skewering standards like "There's No Business Like Show Business" and "I Got the Sun in the Morning." This will be the show's Boston premiere. John Hancock Hall, 180 Berkeley St.
Valerie Stephens in "The Art and Time of Nina Simone" at the Park Plaza Terrace
Courtesy First Night BostonBoston jazz singer Valerie Stephens performs a tribute to High Priestess of Soul Nina Simone, singing works from throughout the legendary artist's illustrious career. Park Plaza Terrace, 64 Arlington St.
First Night Films
Courtesy First Night BostonThe 2008 First Night Film Festival will feature the Boston-area premieres of Bob Dylan Live at the Newport Folk Festival 1963-1965: The Other Side of the Mirror, Wetlands Preserved, The Air I Breathe, Note by Note, We Are Together, and Girls Rock! The New England Anime Society will present a full day of anime, and the Roxbury Film Festival will present short films Open Secrets, Spin, Nina Baby, and What it's Like to Be Homeless, as well as the feature film I'm Through With White Girls. Art-rockers Cul de Sac will lend musical accompaniment to short family films, and students of the RAW Art Work's "Real to Reel" program will present short works at Cloud Place.
New Year's Swingin' Eve Dance Party with Marie Lawlor
Courtesy First Night BostonLearn how to swing into the New Year properly with Boston swing dance instructor Marie Lawlor. Hynes Convention Center, 900 Boylston St.
