Many is the act eager to lend a hand—or the sounds of its band—to the area's preeminent New Year's eve gala, First Night Northampton. And with more than 100 performance slots to fill at no less than 17 venues over the course of 12 hours, Northampton Center for the Arts Executive Director Penny Burke says she is able to accommodate a good number of them.
Of course, she must always be mindful of the celebration's overall mission statement since its inception some 25 years ago—ensuring there is indeed "something for everyone" throughout the half-day, family-friendly affair. And there are those few other considerations specific to First Night that also must be factored in.
"Well, first of all, this is our major fundraiser for the Center," she explains, "so, quite simply, we aren't able to pay a lot of the larger acts what they are accustomed to… so we are grateful for those that work with us there. And moreover, hey—you said it—100 performances in 17 venues? We're talking on-off, 15-minute soundchecks… you pretty much have to be at the professional level to pull it off, logistically."
Burke went on to say that Valley staples like Ray Mason, The Lonesome Brothers, School For the Dead, The Alchemystics and Gypsy Wranglers certainly fit the bill on both of the aforementioned counts. And that's precisely why they are once again included on the 2010 First Night bill.
Among the newcomers for this year's ball drop crop include the Happy Valley Guitar Orchestra, an outfit that debuted to a standing room only crowd at the Noho Arts Center earlier this year and is led up by Peter Blanchette, inventor of the 11-string archguitar.
In the everything old is "young" again department, Burke couldn't help but beam with equal parts nostalgia and joy when your friendly neighborhood Nightcrawler brought up the issue of certain seasoned performers slated to take to the Sweeney Concert Hall stage at 2 p.m.
"Oh… the Young @ Heart Chorus," she sighed. "We just love them, and you know, looking back over the 25 years of programs, it appeared as if they were the only act that was involved with First Night each and every year. We lost them for the last couple, but are so happy to have them back in 2010."
Yeah.. that can happen when you become international movie stars.
Tickets… er, that's right, admission buttons, are $16 in advance, $20 day of, for all events with discounts for children and seniors. An "after 6 p.m. admission only" option is also available.
For all pricing, First Night button distribution sites and a performance schedule, kindly point your browser to the official online home of the annual event, gazettenet.com/firstnight.
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Among the other opportunities for First Night frivolity include dual performances by both Canadian Celt-rock faves Enter The Haggis (The Iron Horse, 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. starts) and They Might Be Giants, who will perform their Grammy Award-winning children's music at the Calvin at 3 p.m. for what they are billing as a "family show," then move on to the quirk rock proper for the grown-ups at 8 p.m.
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Meanwhile, those looking to doo-wop into the new decade can, courtesy of the New England Doo Wop Society's fourth annual New Year's Eve Party at Cedar's Banquet House in Springfield Dec. 31.
For tickets to the dinner/dancing package—replete with the sounds of In Time and DJ Harris and culminating with a champagne toast—call (413) 478-0901 or (413) 786-1929.
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Last up, with the upcoming calendar flip also comes the third annual Happy Valley Showdown, kicking off this Sunday, Jan. 3 at The Elevens with Tidwell's Pleasure, The Doomsday Ladies, Eddie Holly, Kevin Falcon, Levin Schwartz & The Long Goodbyes and the SP Hogan Blues Band. While the event does utilize the "battle of the bands" format, its organizer, Mark Sheehan, states that it's really more of an excuse to showcase a bunch of great new bands.
More on that next week!
Send correspondence to Nightcrawler, P.O. Box 427, Somers, CT 06071; fax to (860) 698-9373 or email Garycarra@aol.com.
