Artists & Entertainments

Artist bios and other program information are listed under the host site chronologically so that when you visit, you may check out what’s happening there all in one place.

DANBURY ARENA 1 Independence Way

Guaranteeing the highest quality of instructional, recreational, and competitive programs for skaters of all ages and abilities. (www.danburyice.com)

Kids Craft with Kerri LuBell (NY)
4:00 – 7:00pm
Go creative! Kerri’s clever arts and crafts creations have always insured that a child of any age goes home with playful memories… and a keepsake souvenir. (youngatartworkshop.com/teachers.htm)

Marty the Magician (NY)

4:00 – 7:00pm
Marty is joining First Night Danbury for his 8th season, entertaining children of all ages with a personal flair! He is past president of the Danbury Top Hatters Society of American Magicians. (www.magicmarty.net)

Public Skate (discount with button)
5:00 – 7:00pm
Admission is only $3 for everyone with a First Night button. If you don’t have your own skates, you can rent a pair for $4. Get on the ice tonight!

DANBURY LIBRARY 170 Main Street
A convenient gateway to the best sources of information, cultural enrichment and possibility, the Library is responsive to the varied needs of our city’s diverse population. (danburylibrary.org)

Belly Dancing for Kids with Careesah (CT)

4:00 – 4:45pm on the Main Level
Be dazzled by Arabian tradition, and the kids get to join in the fun! Spirit, skill, and a cultural trueness brings beauty, warmth, and amusement to the “Danbury Fare” table.
(www.careesah.com)

Ice Matters (CT)
4:00 – 8:00pm on Library Plaza
A First Night staple, this award winning ice carving company always captures First Night’s theme with artistry and good humor. A National Ice Carving Champion, owner Bill Covitz began his career as a graduating chef from the Culinary Institute of America. He now spends some of his time creating ice instruments on the mountaintops of Norway. (www.icematters.com)

Peter J. Mamos (NH)
4:45 – 5:30pm, 5:45 – 6:30pm in the Farioly Room
Captivating audiences around the country, hypnotist Peter J. Mamos combines audience participation, comedy, and mystery to create entertainments… by YOU! (www.petemamos.com)

Bob Stanhope (CT)
5:00 – 5:45pm, 6:00 – 6:45pm on the Main Level
13-time winner in Billboard Magazine’s annual songwriting contest, this veteran First Nighter offers up an eclectic assortment of songs with a generous helping of humor, satire, and back porch  sounds. (www.bobstanhope.com)

BlueBossa (CT)
7:00 – 745pm in the Farioly Room
This Danbury-based group plays bossa nova, Latin jazz, samba from Rio and folkloric traditional songs. A great way to

celebrate Danbury’s rich Brazilian history. (tomwolff@att.net)

“Danbury Fare” Finale
7:30 – 8:15pm on Library Plaza
featuring DJ Jim Fairchild, Giant Puppets, Stilt Walkers, Fire & Ice, and Hot Cider and Cookies courtesy of the Danbury Parking Authority.

DANBURY MUSEUM & HISTORICAL SOCIETY 43 Main Street
The Museum preserves the John and Mary Rider House (c. 1785), the Dodd Hat Shoppe (c. 1790), the Marian Anderson Studio and the Charles Ives Birthplace, among artifacts that present Danbury’s past. (www.danburymuseum.org/danburymuseum/Home.html)

Making “Danbury Fair”

4:00 – 6:00pm
Archival photos from the Museum’s collection inspire mural making as Regal Brass salutes the holidays with fanfare and Face Painter Katie Nunez adds the final touches!
(www.regal-brass.com, brewkatie@sbcglobal.net)

DANBURY MUSIC CENTRE 256 Main Street
DMC is housed in a beautifully restored 19th century building, formerly the public library. In 1994, the upstairs rehearsal hall was dedicated to the late Marian Anderson, a world renowned contralto who was a resident of Danbury. DMC has hosted community music since 1935. (www.danbury.org/MusicCtr/)

A Bear Tale
4:00 – 4:30pm
“Black Bear’s Hudson Valley Tale” is Madera Vox‘s answer to Sergei Prokofiev’s classic “Peter and the Wolf.”  Black Bear’s Hudson Valley Tale weaves an original story, music, and creative movement into a performance that allows children and their famili

es to “see” with their ears and “hear” with their eyes. Charming and beautifully rendered visuals make it a “see” and “hear” adventure.

Madera Vox (NY)

5:00 – 5:45pm
Distinctive sounds of wood and voice come from unexpected and often playful combinations, coupled with an intelligent and highly entertaining mix of the best of high-brow and low-brow musical styles. Make no mistake – oboe, bassoon, piano, percussion and voice is an unusual configuration. What is launched from there takes off into uncharted, unconventional and intensely coloristic territory.(www.maderavox.org)

Ultra Violet Puppets (CT)
7:00 – 7:45pm
Wendy Ann Mitchell, former teacher, daycare director, musician and professional writer, Wendy has her Head Teacher’s Certification through the State of Connecticut in Early Childhood and studied Early Childhood Education at Post University. Wendy is a self-taught puppeteer who learned her craft at a local youth mentoring group she lead. (http://www.ultravioletpuppets.com/)

PALACE DANBURY 165 Main Street
The Palace Danbury has a rich and vibrant history. Built in 1928 as a 1999-seat venue, Jimmy Durante performed here, as did Chuck Berry, Louis Armstrong, and many others. (www.thepalacedanbury.com)

Marc Huberman (CT)

4:00 – 6:30 PM in the Lobby
An original finger-style, instrumental, percussive acoustic guitarist, Marc’s compositions are quite eclectic, thought-provoking, and influenced from New Age, spiritual, jazz, funk, rhythm & blues, folk, classical, rock, Latin, Indian, African, Asian and Middle Eastern sounds. (http://www.marchuberman.com)

Buddy Flip (NY)
Vaudevilles: 4:30 – 5:15pm; 5:30 – 6:15pm; 6:30 – 7:15pm
With a brand of comedy that is lovable and lyrical, joined with a comfortable and approachable rapport, this year’s vaudeville headliner has made himself immensely popular, with widespread appearances from Sesame Street Live to Comedy Central to the stages of Atlantic City and Las Vegas. (www.buddyflip.com)

The Susan King Duo (NY)
Vaudevilles: 4:30 – 5:15pm; 5:30 – 6:15pm; 6:30 – 7:15pm
Two musicians who simply love what they do, whether its an evening of jazz
standards or a cabaret revue or on a vaudeville stage, Susan King and Steve Wright shine. They began their partnership at the Asparagus Festival at the White Silo Winery in Sherman, Ct. several years ago and we’re pleased they did! (http://www.susankingentertainment.com)

Ben Nemzer & Cassandra (NY)
Vaudevilles: 4:30 – 5:15pm; 5:30 – 6:15pm; 6:30 – 7-15pm
Ben makes his living onstage but is often called upon as a magic teacher, theatre/film consultant, and even an annual guest lecturer at Princeton University. Cassandra, almost always referred to as “the prettier half of the show,” has performed at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall. (http://bennemzer.com)

ST. JAMES’ CHURCH 25 West Street
The church was organized and incorporated in Danbury in 1762. Its 25-bell Ella S. Bulkley Memorial Carillon is the oldest in Connecticut and also the  first made in America. It was dedicated on Easter Sunday, 1928. (www.saintjamesdanbury.org)

The SilverTones (CT)

4:00 – 4:45pm
Based in the Elmwood Hall Senior Center, and regularly rehearsing there at 10:30 am Tuesday mornings, this dynamic group of 62-year-old to 95 somethings perform songs by Credence Clearwater, the Beatles, Mary Chapin Carpenter, and more. And they throw in Tap and Swing dancers! Anyone can join in. (Susan M. Tomanio, LCSW, Director of Elderly Services, City of Danbury, s.tomanio@danbury-ct.gov or 203-797-4686)

New Hope Mass Choir (CT)
5:00 – 5:45pm
Under the musical direction of Brother Jonathan Hill, this Danbury and First Night institution has a long history of serving our community with powerful song and goodwill.
Faith, grace, and positivity are their motto, and their joy-full sounds add to what a New Year imports. (visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy6Sgia5WIg)

Linda Parker (CT)

6:00 – 6:45pm
Ms. Parker has sung at St. James’ Church for many years, performs with the Danbury Chorus, St. John’s Chorale in Washington, CT, and at New Milford Fair Days. Her repertoire includes classical and sacred works as well as pieces from the legendary Broadway songbook. A 2012 1st Place winner of the National Association of Teachers of Singing award, Linda is currently a member of the Waterbury Chorale.

Mad Hatters Barbershop Chorus (CT)
7:00 – 7:45pm
A non-profit fraternal organization the Mad Hatters are affiliated with the 24,000 member Barbershop Harmony Society.  Since 1966, Danbury’s popular a cappella troupe has  promoted in song one of the city’s historic industries, singing four-part harmony in the ” barbershop style,” featuring a rich repertoire of love songs, movie and Broadway Show tunes, folk, doo-wop, patriotic and 19th century vaudeville melodies. (http://www.madhatterchorus.org)

UNION SAVINGS BANK AT THE GALLERIA 225 Main Street
Union Savings Bank is a $2.5 billion mutual bank headquartered in Danbury that was established in 1866. The Civil War had recently ended and the name, no doubt, was suggested by the preservation of the union of the United States. (www.unionsavings.com)

Danbury Innovation Center (CT)

4:00 – 7:30pm
The Danbury Innovation Center, opening on Main Street in mid-2013, will be the home of the Danbury Hackerspace, a co-working space for local entrepreneurs, as well as the new home of SCORE. The facility will provide a community and business resource for people of all ages interested in learning about and getting their hands into new technology. First Night’s demo Hackerspace will introduce you to 3D Printing, Robotics, Pottery, Woodworking, Metalworking… and a vibrant way of Sharing and Making!

Portuguese Traditional Games (CT)
4:00 – 7:30pm
Always welcomed at First Night and CityCenter events throughout the season, this group demonstrates the key components of games: goals, rules, challenges, and interaction. For the past 15 years under mentor Antonio Heitor, this group of young people find that the best feeling of all is when the older crowd expresses their memories of playing the same games. (heitor@sbcglobal.net)

HEIRLOOM  ARTS THEATRE 155 Main Street at the end of Palace Walk
The building that now houses the Heirloom was built around 1850, originally opening as a vaudeville venue. The modern Heirloom Arts Theatre was built on the original vaudeville stage and serves as Danbury’s artistic and cultural alternative. (www.heirloomarts.org)

Afro-Semitic Experience (NY)

4:45 – 5:30pm, 6:00 – 6:45pm
With their highly accessible world music mix and their ability to get audiences on their feet, The Afro-Semitic Experience is a band beyond category—a mix of spiritual, world-beat, jazz, cantorial, gospel, salsa, swing . . . soul-driven music. Their concerts are celebrations with a message: Unity in the Community. (info@afrosemiticexperience.net)

262 MAIN STREET

Galeria Súbita presented by Arts Network of Danbury
4:00 – 8:00PM
Galeria Súbita means “Sudden Gallery” in Portuguese.  The Pop-Up Gallery is open from 4 pm – 8 pm and features an exhibit of photography, painting, mixed-media and sculpture by artist members of the Arts Network of Danbury, with African drumming by A Common Ground Community Art Center. (info@artsnetworkofdanbury.org,  http://www.artsnetworkofdanbury.org)

ESCAPE TO THE ARTS 293 Main Street
A project of the Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut, ESCAPE (Encouraging Structured Creative Arts Programs and Education) is a philosophy that is practiced daily through the exciting programs at ESCAPE to the Arts. (www.regionalymca.org/escape_about.html)

Arts & Crafts
4:00 – 6:00pm
While you listen to the music of Beth and Jan, dig into paper and crayons to make a magical crown for your First Night stroll.

Beth and Jan (CT)
4:30 – 5:30pm
Shake! Rattle! and Roll! It’s always fun to twist and shout as you enter the New Year!

MERCURIAL GALLERY 11 Library Place
An innovative and growing hothouse for emerging regional visual artists that has captured Danbury’s attention and turned its CityCenter street into a fine art destination (www.themercurial.com)

‘Shadows’ Painting and Sculpture Exhibition
4:00 – 8:00pm
Featuring Henry Caserotti and Christine Mitchell, with an interactive artist demo of Shadow Image Painting and a 7 pm music performance by Oregon folk musician Isaac Pierce.

PLAY N TRADE 147 Main Street
4:00 – 7:30pm
Video gaming (discount with button)

 

Artists and Entertainers for 2012

Artists and Entertainers for 2011