Performers
THE 5K RUN
Center Danbury Green, 3 p.m.
Danbury’s Mayor Mark Boughton proclaims the race to be a “great way to start that New Year’s resolution to get in shape” and “an energetic kick start to a First Night that promises to be bigger and better.”
SPECIAL OPENING CEREMONY: SYNERGY DRUM CIRCLE WITH DAVE WONSEY
Danbury Music Centre, 4 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Facilitating drum circles since 1996, this Connecticut resident is invited back to open First Night with a special community Jam that is both spiritual and joy-full. Just show up and play, hard and loud.
A “ONCE IN A BLUE MOON” FINALE: BREAKING THE PINATA, A PROCESSION INTO THE 2010 NEW YEAR, AND FIREWORKS
Library Plaza, 7:00 - 7:30 p.m. ; Fireworks, 8:00 p.m.
A Blue Moon pinata, created by traditional Mexican artist Miguel Cossio, awaits the deluge of sweets and confetti that only begins a fitting finale to 2009. The closing entertainment includes an over-the-top performance by Mark Stolzenberg, with Dave Wonsey, Mystic Paper Beasts, and other First Night performers joining in the merriment. Then, all will march off to to the Patriot Parking Garage for the best view of Bay Fireworks Family’s closing spectacular.
AND THE DAYS BETWEEN
Danbury Ice Arena, 2:30 - 3:15 p.m., 3:45 - 4:30 p.m.
A 2-year-old Hartford rock band that mixes pop punk with an acoustic mainstream tease, is indie influenced and is sure to get those 5K runners sweatin’ , both coming and going.
ARTS & CRAFTS WITH KERRI LUBELL
Danbury Ice Arena, 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Once in a Blue Moon you just have to get your hands into the finger paints, the paste, and go creative. Maybe you’ll make your own Blue Moon… or is the moon made of green cheese!?
AUSTÉ
The Galleria, 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.
When first shown in the mid-1970’s, Austé’s large scale drawings with their febrile graphite lines and DayGlo accents were on the cutting edge of a developing New Wave aesthetic. The New York Times’ critic Roberta Smith recently proclaimed Austé as “a fabulously eccentric artist and a good reminder of the unruliness of the art in the 1980s.” The visual centerpiece of “Once Upon a Blue Moon” was originally displayed in a Barneys New York store window in 1987.
BAKING “BLUE MOON” COOKIES
Danbury Museum & Historical Society, 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Here’s a cooking lesson and a chance to buy your First Night buttons all in one. Bob Stanhope will follow at 4 p.m. with his unique musical fare.
BALLOONS BY ROSEBUD
Danbury Ice Arena, 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.
A true renaissance woman, Rosebud is an accomplished art photographer, actress, and Special Education teacher. She’s worked in production for Savion Glover on Broadway and for Pierrot and Pirouette at Lincoln Center. You may even wear one of her creations.
BURNKIT2600
The Galleria, 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Danbury’s own electro-techno heroes will celebrate the blue moon with a performance as rare as the astronomical phenomenon itself. Known for rocking clubs and art spaces with an unusual array of modified toys and video games, the trio will abandon their dance beats for a set of spacey sounds as crisp as the air the blue moon hangs in.
CARILLON CONCERT
St. James Church, 3:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.
The 25-bell Ella S. Bulkley Memorial Carillon is the oldest carillon in Connecticut, and is also the first carillon made in America. It was dedicated on Easter Sunday, 1928. The concert will be played by carilloneur Christel Davis.
EBONY HILLBILLIES
Heirloom Arts Theater, 4:45 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., 6:15 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Whether they’re playing for thousands of people at Carnegie Hall or a handful of curious passersby on a subway platform in Manhattan, one of the last black string bands in the U.S. keeps an important legacy alive with a rootsy, homegrown style that many forget was a key element in the genesis of all the music we cherish as uniquely American—jazz, blues, bluegrass, rockabilly, rock and roll and country.
FairWestSwing PROJECT
Ives Manor, 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Say Daddy-O, come learn the swing dancing of the Harlem of the 1920s. Reminisce as you catch all the moves. The Project moves to the War Memorial after the First Night fireworks, where there’ll be a Big Band sound, light refreshments, and an after midnight, non-alcoholic toast to the arrival of 2010. (Note that the event at the War Memorial is ticketed.)
NATALIE FERRIER
Palace Theater Vaudeville , 4:15 p.m., 5:15 p.m., 6:15 p.m.
This unparalleled comedienne will have you rolling in the aisles as she takes on one of vaudeville’s greatest stars - Mae West!
JAY GREEN
Grassy Alley, 5:15 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., 6 p.m. - 6:15 p.m., 6:45 p.m. - 7 p.m.
A three time national juggling champion, Jay has toured the world on cruise ships and in variety shows. He recently appeared on the TV show, “America’s Got Talent”.
SEAN GRISSOM
Palace Theater Vaudeville, 4:15 p.m., 5:15 p.m., 6:15 p.m.
Celebrating his tenth season as the host of the Holiday Vaudeville at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, Sean has agreed to make aspecial appearance in Danbury to bring back some of the history and culture that hovers in the 1926 Palace Theater wings. He plays a mean “Cajun Cello”… and he’ll have YOU playing, too!
LARA HERSCOVITCH
St. James Church, 4 p.m. - 5 p.m.
The Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism appointed this singer-songwriter from Durham, CT, as the new State Troubadour for 2009 and 2010. Lara’s music is an original blend of acoustic/folk, flavored with pop, Latin, jazz, and blues. Especially for First Night Danbury, she has agreed to perform a Full Concert before she continues her official duties at First Night Hartford. “It’s rare to come across poets able to inject such an achingly human and knowing warmth into their work… her star’s still rising,” proclaims Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange. Lara’s most recent CD is entitled “Through A Frozen Midnight Sky,” certainly appropriate to this year’s First Night theme.
MARC HUBERMAN
Palace Theater Lobby, 4 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.
An original finger picking acoustic guitarist, Marc is influenced by New Age, Blues, Jazz, Heavy Metal, Latin, African and, of course, full moons.
ICE MATTERS
Library Plaza, 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.
World renowned ice sculptor Bill Covitz returns to First Danbury to demonstrate his unique artistry. To celebrate the “Blue Moon” theme, he’ll use power tools and hand tools to transform three blocks of crystal clear ice into a Crescent Moon with Fairy on Top! (Influenced by Austé’s mural, perhaps.) Bill maintains his “ice studio” in Waterbury.
JONATHAN KRUK
Danbury Library, Farioly Room, 4 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., 5:45 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.
The “Best Storyteller in the Hudson Valley” grew up on tall tales and day dreams. He toured the country in a Volkswagon beetle, watered Henry Kissinger’s office plants, and regaled his rambunctious brothers with bedtime tales. Now he’s featured on the Travel and History Channels and often performs at Pete Seegers’ Clearwater Festival.
THE MADHATTER BARBERSHOP CHORUS
Palace Theater Lobby, 6:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.
A nonprofit, fraternal organization affiliated with the worldwide, 30,000 member strong Barbershop Harmony Society, Danbury’s popular a cappella troupe has been singing since 1966. Promoting in song one of Danbury’s historic industries, they offer a rich repertoire of traditional barbershop, European hymnody and 19th century vaudeville.
MARTINI GLASS
Palace Theater Vaudeville, 5:15 p.m., Danbury Library, Main Level, 4:15 p.m.- 4:45 p.m., 6p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
You, of course, know the eight maids that appear in the Twelve Days of Christmas countdown. Here are eight named by randomly looking at objects stored in a basement, an all girl a cappella group that ensures that the art form is not totally male dominated. The group was formed in 2005 at Danbury High School, moved on to WestConn, and continue their well “maid” harmonies.
MECCA BODEGA
The Galleria, 4 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
A percussive driven band from New York City, Mecca Bodega features the rhythms of Marc and Paul Mueller. With seven CDs under their belts, their fresh, hypnotic sounds echo African drums, Brazilian percussion, hammered dulcimer, didjeridoo, and other World Music instruments. They have been featured on National Public Radio broadcasts of “New Sounds” on WNYC, on Garrison Keillor’s “Prairie Home Companion,” and they’ve recorded several film scores, including HBO’s Subway Stories, directed by Jonathan Demme.
MEN WITHOUT INSTRUMENTS
Palace Theater Vaudeville, 4:15p.m. , Danbury Library, Main Level, 5 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.
Sure to stand firm with the moniker of never taking themselves too seriously, MWI definitely has a unique place in the a cappella world. The seven all-male chorus takes on the pop and R & B songs of Billy Joel, Van Morrison, Stevie Wonder and even Steve Martin.
MYSTIC PAPER BEASTS THEATRE COMPANY
Danbury Music Centre, 5:15 p.m. - 5;45 p.m., 6:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
This celebrated masked performance theatre for all ages will honor the Blue Moon with a special presentation of Sky Tails,a series of Native American stories having to do with the sky, with beginnings, and with flourishings. The tales told are original and re-told dreams and myths of transformation, featuring hand made masks and puppets by Dan Potter. Don’t be surprised if some of their large scale “beasts” join in the procession.
NEW HOPE MASS CHOIR
St. James Church, 5:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., 6:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Under the musical direction of Brother Jonathan Hill, this Danbury institution has a long history of serving its community with powerful song, goodwill, confidence, and truly “Amazing Grace.” A significant annual part of First Night Danbury, we welcome the opportunity to herald in the new year with “good news” and positive resolutions.
PLAID
Palace Walk, 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Founded in 1996, Plaid is now one of the oldest interactive firms in the world, and steeped in experience with all things internet and social media. As the self described “greatest creative agency in all of the land,” Plaid produces online and offline campaigns for a multitude of clients across every imaginable industry. The work they’ve produced for clients like Segway, Timex, Janet Jackson, Iron Horse Bikes, Marc Ecko Watches, and Capitol Records has garnered multiple awards, press and recognition by peers across the world. Plaid is 100% awesome, guaranteed. Or at least that’s what they tell us.
PORTUGUESE TRADITIONAL GAMES
The Galleria, 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Let the child in you play. Here’s an opportunity to experience stilt walking and other traditional Portuguese folk games. With the music of Mecca Bodega, it may turn into a community party!
REAL CHEMISTRY BARBERSHOP QUARTET
Palace Theater Vaudeville, 6:15 p.m.
Named “champs” in novice competition in 2001, this group has been winning awards ever since. Featuring key singers from the Madhatter Chorus, including its Music Director, they spin barbershop with doo wop and Rock and Roll.
JIM SPINNATO
Danbury Library, Farioly Room, 4:45 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.
This hypnotist and comedian makes his First Night Danbury debut this year. Watch as volunteers dance, sing and “sleep” on command - and in due time becoming the Stars of the show. Combining a sharp wit with three decades of performance experience, Jim will prove how sleeping can be so much FUN.
BOB STANHOPE
Danbury Museum & Historical Society, 4 p.m. - 5 p.m.
A First Night favorite, this singer, songwriter, humorist and radio personality lends his four decades of singular entertainment to a very cosy fireside chat… with “Blue Moon” cookies!
MARK STOLZENBERG’S CIRCUS FOLLIES
Palace Theater Vaudeville , 4:15 p.m., 5:15 p.m., 6:15 p.m., Library Plaza, 7:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Placing fifth in the prestigious International Variety Arts Competition, this all ’round circus pro closes First Night with a rousing goodbye to 2009. He’s opened for Phyllis Diller, toured with Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus, and makes magic wherever he goes. CityCenter welcomes him to our center ring.