The Very Best of First Night!

THE (VERY) BEST OF FIRST NIGHT: A VAUDEVILLE BENEFIT

PLAYS SUNDAY, MAY 20TH AT 2 PM AT THE PALACE DANBURY

FAMILY FRIENDLY FUN!

For more than 20 years, First Night Danbury has served its communities with family friendly entertainments on New Year’s Eve. In the past three years, First Night’s centerpiece has been a variety show at the Palace Danbury, the 1928 vaudeville theatre that stands proud on CityCenter’s Main Street. In celebration and to raise funds to keep the tradition going, entertainers from past First Nights are joining together at the Palace Danbury on Sunday, May 20th at 2 pm for the (Very) Best of First Night, an afternoon of family fun.

Returning to the Palace Danbury stage are:

Airborne Jugglers

Astounding team juggling has been the signature of Joe Murray and Susan Kirby for almost 20 years. Their high energy and riotous audience laughter as folks are plucked from the audience to become stars of the show have made their synchronized performances festive-full.

Mad Hatters Barbershop Chorus

Danbury’s popular a cappella troupe has been singing since 1966. Promoting in song one of the city’s historic industries, they offer a rich repertoire of traditional barbershop, European hymnody and 19th century vaudeville.

Nancy Tucker

Can you imagine a hysterical jellyfish, cats and mice tangoing, or an unforgettable train ride powered by your face and arms? It all happens in Nancy’s musical romps. Nancy honors playfulness of spirit in each of us with gentle heart and contagious lunacy.

Peter Samelson

Illusionist-philosopher, this “magician’s magician” has created three Off Broadway shows, performed atop the Great Wall of China, for Grand Prix race car drivers, Princess Stephanie of Monaco, the jet set of Paris, and fishermen mending their nets on the beaches of Cartagena.

The afternoon of variety entertainment is hosted by comedienne Natalie Ferrier.

Tickets are $17.50 for adults, $10 for children under 12, or $50 for the WHOLE FAMILY. Tickets may be purchased at CityCenter Danbury, 186 Main Street, or from noon to showtime on Sunday, May 20th at The Palace Danbury, 165 Main Street. For your convenience, you may also call CityCenter Danbury at (203) 792 1711 and your tickets will be waiting at the door. (Cash or check only.)

This First Night Event is sponsored in part by the Danbury Cultural Commission, Union Savings Bank, News Times, CityCenter Danbury, and many local businesses.

“THERE’S SOMETHING GOING ON DOWNTOWN!”

Thank You!

First Night Danbury is made possible by the support and sponsorship of local businesses and organizations in the Greater Danbury area, and by people like You!

Thank you!

First Night Danbury 2012

Airborne Jugglers, juggling with a comedy twist

As First Night Danbury enters its 22nd year as the city’s popular family friendly, alcohol free New Year’s Eve celebration, it’s “Looking Up & Moving Forward.” That’s this year’s theme, a nod to the fest’s venerable history and to the Danbury Main Street Partnership, for which First Night serves as a year-end acknowledgement of the ongoing excitement of what’s happening downtown.

Natalia Paruz

 

 

First Night Danbury begins with an afternoon 5K Run down Main Street, then continues with stilt walkers, giant puppets, storytellers, comic opera, gospel singing, Chinese puppet theatre, salsa dance classes, and much more, ending with a Grand Finale at 7:30 pm on Library Plaza. The centerpiece of the event, a vaudeville at The 1928 Palace Theatre, features the  Airborne Jugglers, a Branford CT team that joyfully amazes and lets audience members steal the show; Boston funny man Peter Gross, whose interactive comedy has entertained visitors to The Kennedy Center and The White House; and  Israel’s Natalia Paruz, “The Saw Lady,” who has presented her contemporary vaudeville turn with major symphony orchestras worldwide and at Carnegie Hall.

Design by Danbury artist Karin Mansberg

Buttons, providing entry to all events, are $7.50 and may be purchased at CityCenter Danbury and at various local outlets. Groups of 20 or more may purchase buttons at CityCenter for $5.00 each. For more information, call CityCenter at (203) 792 1711

 

As First Night Danbury enters its 22nd year as the city’s popular family friendly,

alcohol free New Year’s Eve celebration, it’s “Looking Up & Moving Forward.” That’s

this year’s theme, a nod to the fest’s venerable history and to the Danbury Main

Street Partnership, for which First Night serves as a year-end acknowledgement of

the ongoing excitement of what’s happening downtown.

First Night Danbury begins with an afternoon 5K Run down Main Street and ends with

a grand fireworks display at 8:30 p.m. In between are stilt walkers, giant puppets,

storytellers, comic opera, gospel singing, Chinese puppet theatre, salsa dance

classes, and much more. The centerpiece of the event, a vaudeville at The 1928

Palace Theatre, features the  Airborne Jugglers, a Branford CT team that joyfully

amazes and lets audience members steal the show; Boston funny man Peter Gross,

whose interactive comedy has entertained visitors to The Kennedy Center and The

White House; and  Israel’s Natalia Paruz, “The Saw Lady,” who has presented her

contemporary vaudeville turn with major symphony orchestras worldwide and at

Carnegie Hall.

Buttons, providing entry to all events, are $7.50 and may be purchased at

CityCenter Danbury and at various local outlets. Groups of 20 or more may purchase

buttons at CityCenter for $5.00 each. For more information, call CityCenter at

(203) 792 1711