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First Night Montpelier 2011!
First Night Montpelier 2011 is a community festival on New Year’s Eve, produced annually by Montpelier Alive (formerly the Montpelier Downtown Community Association) in partnership with the City of Montpelier.
First Night Montpelier 2011 will be our 17th – a tradition made possible by the dedicated work of volunteers, the strong financial support of businesses and individuals, and the wonderful creative output of our talented artists and community creators.
WHAT: A family-oriented New Year’s Eve celebration centered on the arts, with activities ranging from Ice Staking to a Bubble Circus to the Vermont Philharmonic. Music, poetry, theater, dance, a road race, a Noise Parade and fireworks are included in the many hours or programming.
WHEN: Friday, December 31, 2010. Events kickoff at noon, ending at midnight.
WHERE: All over downtown Montpelier, Vermont, where over 20 buildings, churches, parks and storefronts become stages for musicians, actors, dancers, and artists.
WHO: Children and adults alike. The celebration offers something for everyone!
WHY: To celebrate the arts and the spirit of an alternative way of ushering in the New Year. To bring neighboring communities of the city together in an accessible and affordable joint celebration. To draw singles, couples, and families of all ages and ethnic backgrounds from all over the region. To stimulate the local economy.
HOW: First Night is possible because of the support of artists, volunteers, sponsors, city departments, business owners, and media organizations. 200 volunteers work at button sales, set-up, clean-up and office help. For a two-hour shift, volunteers receive a button for admission to all events plus a meal ticket for the First Night Cantina.
HOW MUCH: Admission is a First Night Button: $10-15, depending on when and how many.
BUT WHAT IS FIRST NIGHT?
It was started in Boston in 1976 by group of artists inspired to create a new kind of New Year’s revelry emphasizing community spirit. First Night, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that presents First Night Boston, the oldest festival of its kind in North America.
The mission of First Night, Inc. is to build community and celebrate diversity through the arts.
There are currently 75 First Nights in the U.S. Organizers share a commitment to promoting the performing and visual arts as catalysts for unifying their citizens on New Year’s Eve (and beyond) through creativity, imagination, and participation.
Be Part of Montpelier's Festivals!
We are gearing up for the 2010 season - with Independence Day Celebration on the 3rd of July and First Night Montpelier on New Year's Eve...and we are looking to spice up the mix with new planning and programming ideas.
Montpelier Alive invites YOU to be one of us - the folks that plan, promote, and produce festivals in downtown Montpelier. We have created a Festival Planning Group and two Festival Production Teams. Get on our list, and receive invites to fun planning sessions and project workshops.
Whether you want to be in on the whole plan or just work at an event - please let us know. It's a new decade, and Montpelier is coming Alive with special events and artistry.
WHAT - Help map the plan and build the programs for Montpelier festivals; get involved in YOUR area of interest
WHEN - each month we will have one or more brainstorming sessions and project meetings WHERE - Lost Nation Theater, second floor of City Hall, 39 Main St. (or TBA)
WHO - YOU and the folks from Montpelier Alive
HOW - 1) each monthly get-together will have a topic, with notes sent to you in advance
2) get your invite by email; RSVP to attend those meetings that interest YOU
3) meet and discuss the topic or work on the project WHY? - Your participation is essential for the livelihood of our beloved downtown
We are at the beginning of a new re-vitalization of festivals in Montpelier, and you are the backbone and the brains.
Join us!
VOLUNTEER - More than 200 volunteers help us stage the festival, from planning to set up to clean up
SPONSOR - More than 75 businesses offer financial and in-kind support; contributions keep button prices affordable
DONATE – Central Vermonters make contributions to help insure our success
PARTICIPATE – There is something fun for everyone, all for the price of one button
PARTNER – Collaborations with community artists and organizations are central to the First Night concept
CREATE – Artists, educators and youth build and present the program that delights thousands every year
Contact:
Jimmy Swift, Festival Coordinator
Phone: 802.238.6888 (mobile) E-mail
For General inquiries: leave message on Montpelier Alive phone at 223-9604
Last Year's First Night Montpelier (12/31/2009)
We have a great day and night lined up to ring in the new year! From Ice Staking to a Bubble Circus to the Vermont Philharmonic, enjoy it in Montpelier. All the information you might want is right here:
Buttons
Schedule Grid (Printable PDF)
Performers
Special Events
Volunteer
Starline Rhythm Boys will usher in the new year at First Night Dance Party from 9pm-midnight. Photo by Natalie Stultz.
BUTTONS
Advance Sales: $12 for single button
$10 per button for group purchases of 4 or more
Day of Festival: $15 for single button
$13 per button for group purchases of 4 or more
Children 3 and under attend for free!
NEW THIS YEAR: Admission to a single event without a button: $5
Get your button for free by volunteering. Learn more.
Buttons go on sale December 1st at locations throughout Central Vermont. Get your buttons at:
Montpelier: Montpelier City Hall, Times Argus Montpelier, Shaw's Montpelier, Minuteman Press, Montpelier Visitor's Center, Hunger Mountain Coop, Capitol Stationers
Barre: Barre Books, Times Argus Barre
Barre-Montpelier Road: Peter Glenn, The World, Rite Aide
East Montpelier: Bragg Farm
Calias: Maple Courner Store
Northfield: Northfield Pharmacy
Waterbury: Merchant's Bank
The Performers
35th Parallel
Unitarian Church, 9 PM and 10 PM
Described by Showcase Magazine as “One of New England’s most innovative ensembles,” 35th Parallel takes the listener on a sinuous journey around the globe. Multi-instrumentalists Mac Ritchey and Gabe Halberg weave a sonic spell, winding a musical trail through the Middle East, North India, North Africa and the Mediterranean.
Barn Band
Trinity Church, 5 PM
Band members Jean Olson, Bob Kinzel, Leigh Seddon and Rob Halpert blend classic folk, country and rock sounds with three part harmonies to create a unique brand of Americana, acoustic roots music.
Miriam Bernardo & Jairo Sequiera
Christ Church, 6 PM
Miriam Bernardo and Jairo Sequiera play music from all over Latin America…from traditional regional Mexicano, Mariachi, bossas, samba, Afro-Peruvian and romantic love songs to anti-war anthems and funky rancheros. All sung in Spanish, of course.
Blue Fox Kids Show
Kellogg Hubbard Library, 4 PM
Kids songs and sing-a-longs for young singers! Blue’s interactive show includes classics like ‘Puff the Magic Dragon,’ and ‘There’s A Hole in the Bottom of the Sea’ to contemporary favorites like the ‘Cat Dog Theme Song.’
Bouncing Goats and Musical Notes
Unitarian Church Vestry, 3:00-4:00 PM
Alison Cheroff leads this workshop of improvisational music games, including rhythmic Dalcroze movements and group compositions. Transform an inspiring piano piece into your own artwork. Alison is a classical pianist and specializes in teaching an effortless piano technique, the Taubman Approach. She has served on the Preparatory faculty of the Mannes College of Music and brings her own joy and playfulness to teachers and students.
Constitution Brass Quintet
Union School Auditorium, 5 PM
This brass quintet performs star-spangled American music favorites from Sousa marches, Dixieland jazz and Broadway medleys, to ragtime and music from the Brass Band Era. The fun includes humorous historical commentary and audience interaction.
Dixie Red Delights
Trinity Church, 6 PM and 7 PM
The Dixie Red Delights make their First Night debut with a unique blend of infectious fire-grass, Americana and alt-country rock. Lead by the formidable songwriting and vocals skills of Erin McDermott, the Delights include legendary Vermont performers Doug Perkins on mandolin and guitar, Jen Wells on upright bass and Ben Roy on percussion. A true delight!
Pitz Quattrone & The Earthman Band
Christ Church, 4 PM
This 5 piece ensemble includes Pitz Quattrone on didgerdioo and vocals, Michael Giammusso on djembe, Damien Middelton on bass, Chris Robertson on guitar and Allen "Crazy Chase" Church on fiddle. The band plays a combination of rock, funk, spacewave and worldbeat music.
Jay Ekis, Brian Clark & Michael Donofrio
Christ Church, 7 PM
Two of Montpelier’s favorite singer/songwriters perform their original songs. Expect alt-country ballads to up-tempo acoustic indie rock charged with emotion. Special guest Michael Donofrio completes the trio on bass.
Lewis Franco & Susannah Blachly
Unitarian Church, 4 PM
Singer-songwriters Susannah Blachly and Lewis Franco have been playing together since 2002, as an acoustic folk duo, and as members of the eclectic band The Gross Domestic Products. Their songs engage audiences on many levels – psychological, spiritual, socio-political, and comical – to name a few. They each have released three CD’s to critical acclaim.
Good Old Wagon
Christ Church, 5 PM
Seasoned musicians Mark Greenberg and Andy Pitt deliver free-wheeling versions of American roots music from artists including Rev. Gary Davis, Big Bill Broonzy, Uncle Dave Macon, and Robert Johnson. Finger and flatpicking, slide guitar, mandolin, clawhammer and bluegrass banjo come together on songs that are both informative and entertaining.
Great Brook Blues Band
City Center, 5 PM
The Great Brook Blues Band returns to center court at City Center for an extended concert. Despite what their name implies, they play many styles in addition to blues. Jazz, funk, rock, and a little country make their way into their danceable, upbeat music that’s guaranteed to get you on your feet and moving.
Green Mountain Youth Symphony
City Hall Auditorium, 4 PM
The Green Mountain Youth Symphony offers musical instruction at the highest level and encourages music making in a fun, engaging, and non-competitive environment. Under the direction of Robert Blais, GMYS is pleased to perform The Blue Danube by Johann Strauss, The Moldau by Smetana, and Tchaikovsky’s Marche Slave.
Jennings & Ponder
Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 7 PM
Tim Jennings and Leanne Ponder are two of the region's finest interpreters of the oral folk tale performing all over Vermont and (to a limited extent) the Wide World. For First Night they will perform stories from “The King and The Thrush” plus music on harp and concertina.
Kerry Kaye Fire & Light
Noisemaker Parade and Fireworks, 8:15 PM
Kerry Kaye performs heart-stopping displays of fire and light using poi, rope dart, staff, double staves, palm torches, fire eating/fleshing, and fire breathing. He will lead the First Night parade to the State House lawn for a short performance before the start of the fireworks.
Dave Keller and Ira Friedman
Unitarian Church, 7 PM
Dave Keller (vocals and guitar) and Ira Friedman (organ) perform soul and blues music filled with grit and beauty. Dave has performed in venues across New England and has produced three critically acclaimed CDs. Ira has been in many of Vermont’s best bands including The Jen Hartswick Band, Viscus, The Willie Edwards Band, and his own eponymous trio.
Willem Lange
Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 6 PM
What's so funny about living in Vermont? Willem Lange has some stories that may suggest an answer!
Maple Jam
Union School Auditorium, 4 and 7 PM
This 7-voice a capella vocal jazz ensemble performs jazz standards, show tunes, contemporary jazz, and even instrumental tunes. Performances include songs by Duke Ellington, Bill Evans, Count Basie, and many others. The performers are Jay Banta, Clara Cavitt, Karen Chickering, Vikki Day, Judy Rosenbaum, Jose Schmidt, and Maarten Van Rykevorsel.
Marko
City Hall Auditorium
Magic Show – 5 PM, Hypnosis Show – 6 PM
Always a favorite at First Night, you can count on Marko to delight audiences with something magical for everyone. Both his magic and hypnosis shows bring all ages together in a common state of amazement and laughter. Be sure to come early to get a seat!
Meg’s Kitchen
Bethany Church Sanctuary, 5 PM
Meg’s Kitchen plays an eclectic blend of music from classic dance tunes of Ireland, Quebec and the American South, to adapted jazz and rock tunes. Leeds Brewer plays guitar, Susan Reid plays fiddle and Mike Ricciarelli plays everything from banjo to bouzuki. The trio is the heart of a jam session which has run more than 8 years to they share a lot of tunes, musical ideas and a little telepathy.
Rob Mermin’s Soap Bubbles Circus
Unitarian Church Vestry, 6 PM and 7 PM
All the performers are bubbles in this family show! Astonishing tightrope-walking bubbles, juggling bubbles, carousels, acrobatic, pyramidal, and smoke-filled square-shaped sideshow bubbles. Good clean entertainment by Rob Mermin, founder of Circus Smirkus.
Michael Jackson Tribute and Dance Party
Union Elementary School, 9 PM – Midnight
Celebrate the life and creative genius of Michael Jackson at this New Year’s Eve Extravaganza! It’s a multi-media performance followed by DJ dance party to all of your MJ favorites! Les Bluettes Sauvages saxophone, dance, and percussion ensemble presents original arrangements and choreography of Michael Jackson hits. Come ready to dance! And don’t forget to dress for the MJ look-alike contest – prizes will be awarded!
Cody Michaels
Bethany Church, 4 PM
Pianist and composer Cody Michaels performs "Winter Suite," a celebration of the many moods of Winter through music and spoken word. As a storyteller and poet, Cody’s exhilarating performances celebrate the wonders of nature, simple living, and the human spirit.
Anaïs Mitchell
Unitarian Church, 6 PM
Growing up in Addison County, Vermont, Anaïs Mitchell found her voice in folk music and has made a career crafting perfect poems that capture the stories of migrant workers and lovelorn farmers. Her latest project, Hadestown, a folk opera based on the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, was written in collaboration with Michael Chorney and Ben T. Matchstick. This is Anaïs’ first performance at Montpelier’s First Night!
Nisht Geferlach Klezmer Band
Bethany Church, 7 PM
Yiddish jazz! Dance to lively instrumentals from the Klezmer tradition and sweet, funny vocals from the Yiddish theater, all with Nisht Geferlach’s own Vermont flavor.
No Strings Marionettes performs “Jack & the Beanstalk”
Union School Gym, 4 PM and 5 PM
Experience this well-loved tale reinterpreted with all the magic and mischief marionettes can muster! The stage is hardly big enough to contain fifteen lovingly hand-crafted marionettes, let alone one ravenous, rummaging Giant. A sense of adventure, optimism and three magic beans catapult Jack high into the sky where his destiny awaits. You'll thrill to the unexpected twists in this exciting production, which is tremendously suitable for people of all ages.
Poetry Slam with Geof Hewitt
Bethany Church Community Room, 7 PM
Poets and writers of all ages will perform their work and be judged by random members of the audience. Luck plays a major role in determining who wins bragging rights and modest prizes in this lighthearted competition that is open to everyone.
Rusty Romance
Trinity Church, 4 PM
Rusty Romance brings fun to Central Vermont with their unique brand of roots n' roll. Their blend of country, Americana, western swing and twangy rock is always a crowd pleaser. Their "Who Brought the Fun?" CD was named best Vermont country album of 2006 and a song from their 2009 release, "Roots N' Roll” was selected for the "Area Code 802 - Best of Vermont" compilation.
Starline Rhythm Boys
City Hall Auditorium, 9 PM – Midnight
Boasting a heady, gutbucket mix of Bakersfield-styled honky-tonk and '50s rockabilly, the Starline Rhythm Boys may be Vermont's best-kept secret. Their hearty mixture of classic country, bluegrass, and vintage rock & roll demonstrates that great old-school country music doesn't necessarily have to emerge from south of the Mason-Dixon line.
Stars of Gilead
Bethany Church, 6 PM
Mark LeGrand, Sarah Munro, Daniel Haley and Spencer Lewis are veteran Vermont musicians performing an eclectic bag of Americana, folk-rock, country and soulful blues. Both vintage and original, Stars of Gilead offer music that accentuate 4-part harmonies, mandolin, fretless electric bass, fine acoustic guitars, and violin for a sound that is familiar yet just beyond the usual.
Gordon Stone Band
Unitarian Church, 5 PM
Gordon Stone’s Vermont-based, world-traveling band combines bluegrass and jazz with African, world beat, and funk in tunes ranging from laid back grooves to high energy musical excursions. An Emmy Award Winning Composer, Stone provides genre bending audio alchemy, with each new piece sweeter than the last.
Vermont Fiddle Orchestra
Union School Auditorium, 6 PM
This diverse group of community musicians share an interest in performing toe-tapping, foot stomping traditional fiddle music. Their performances feature traditional Celtic, French Canadian, and New England arrangements and often include a selection of tunes written by Vermont fiddlers. The VFO is always welcoming new members of any age!
Vermont Philharmonic Orchestra
City Hall Auditorium, 7 PM
In their traditional First Night concert, the charismatic Lou Kosma conducts the Vermont Philharmonic in a lively program that feature The Easy Winners (Scott Joplin), The Procession of the Sardar (Ippolitov-Ivanov), Aura Lee (Traditional American), Havah Nagiela (Traditional Israeli), Persian March (Johann Strauss Jr.), a Broadway Medley and a Sousa March plus other selections.
Tom Vitzthum
Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 5 PM
Throughout 16th century Europe the lute was both a folk instrument and “the instrument of kings.” Tom’s performance will primarily feature the former style – fast, lively dance tunes – but will also include a few slower, statelier pieces of more contrapuntal interest. Those unfamiliar with Renaissance lute music are in for pleasant treat!
Special Events
Wear your First Night button and take advantage of these free activities before heading downtown for more First Night fun! You can also buy your button at the door of these special events.
Ice Skate!
Central Vermont Memorial Civic Center, Gallison Hill Road in Montpelier
1:00-3:30 PM
Cross Country Ski!
Morse Farm Nordic Center, County Road in Montpelier
1:00-3:30 PM
Swim!
First in Fitness, Granger Road in Berlin
1:00-3:30 PM
StoryWalk™
Begins at Kellogg-Hubbard Library
Noon – dusk
Walk and read “Tracks in the Snow” by Wong Herbert Yee. In this delightfully illustrated book, tracks in the fresh snow lead a little girl on a walk through the forest to find out whom or what left them behind. Begin at the Kellogg Hubbard Library and follow the story pages to the roundabout and back. The StoryWalk™ Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, and developed in collaboration with the Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition and the Kellogg-Hubbard Library.
Teddy Bear Picnic
St. Augustine’s Community Room
2:00-3:30 PM
Dress up your favorite bear or stuffed animal for this special party for young First Nighters. Come for a Teddy Bear parade and fashion show, cookie decorating, games, tea and treats, stories, songs and more.
Bouncing Goats and Musical Notes
Unitarian Church Vestry
3:00-4:00 PM
Alison Cheroff leads this workshop of improvisational music games, including rhythmic Dalcroze movements and group compositions. Transform an inspiring piano piece into your own artwork. Alison is a classical pianist and specializes in teaching an effortless piano technique, the Taubman Approach. She has served on the Preparatory faculty of the Mannes College of Music and brings her own joy and playfulness to teachers and students.
First Night 5K Race
Court Street and Governor Davis Avenue, 3 PM
This last 5K road race of the year is organized by the Central Vermont Runner’s Club. Entry forms are available at www.cvrunners.org, or can be picked up at the Montpelier Alive office at 39 Main Street in Montpelier. Race day registration is located in the basement of the Pavilion Building starting at 1:30 PM. Download a race application here. Register early for a discount!
The ReStore Hat & Noisemaker Workshop
Bethany Church Fellowship Hall, 3:00-6:00 PM
One of the highlights of Montpelier’s First Night celebration is The ReStore’s annual hatmaking workshop. This year you can also create noisemakers to shake, bang and rattle in the Noisemaker Parade! The ReStore will supply all the fun and funky recycled materials you need to make wild and wonderful creations. Great fun for all ages!
Noisemaker Parade
Main & State Streets, 8:15 PM
Welcome the New Year with a toot, bang, clatter or whistle! This year’s parade will be a joyous cacophony of sound. Bring your favorite instrument or create a noisemaker at The ReStore workshop and join the procession from Main Street to the State House lawn. Kerry Kaye Fire & Light will lead the way and perform on the State House steps until the fireworks begin.
Fireworks
Downtown Montpelier, 8:30 PM
NorthStar Fireworks shoots off their annual aerial extravaganza! Best viewing is from the State House Lawn of Montpelier High School parking lot.
VOLUNTEER
Montpelier Alive is seeking nearly 200 volunteers for button sales, set-up, clean-up and office help. There are positions for individuals, couples and families. In exchange for working a two-hour shift, volunteers receive a button for admission to all events plus a meal ticket for the First Night cantina. Contact Charlene McCarney at 229-3228 or 485-8072 or email for information on volunteer positions.