Artists & Entertainments for 2012

These were our artists for 2011-2012.

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
Guaranteeing the highest quality of instructional, recreational, and competitive programs for skaters of all ages and abilities. 1 Independence Way (www.danburyice.com)

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

Marty the Magician (NY)
4:00 – 7:00 PM
Magic and comedy for children of all ages, Marty is joining First Night Danbury for his 7th season. He is a past president of the Danbury Top Hatters Society of American Magicians. Make ‘em laugh! (www.magicmarty.net)

Ice Skating
5:00 – 7:00 PM
Get on the ice tonight! Admission to the Public Skate 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.

Danbury Library
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. 170 Main Street (http://danburylibrary.org)

Ice Matters (CT)
4:00 – 8:00 PM 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)

Mother Goose (CT)
4:15 – 5:00 PM & 5:45 – 6:30 in the Farioly Room
Lenka Pichlikova, a native of Prague, brings spoken word, musical theatre, and mime to elementary schools and classical pantomime to secondary schools and universities. She has studied with Uta Hagen and Marcel Marceau. In 2006, she was named “Best Mime” in Fairfield County. “Mother Goose” is especially suited for children from K – 6 grades. (www.lenkashows.com)

Nancy Tucker  (CT)
5:00 – 5:45 PM & 6:00 – 6:45 PM on the Main Level
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 the playfulness of spirit in each of us that lets everyone win, and she captures each audience’s imagination and heart with gentle invitation and contagious lunacy.  (www.nancytucker.info)

Adam Auslander & Friends (NY)
6:00 – 8:PM on Library Plaza & in CityCenter streets
An actor, writer and producer, Adam spent a year learning and performing  the art of clowning with Ringley Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus. He has provided stiltwalkers for the Macy*s Thanksgiving Day Parade for many years. First Night Danbury is always “Looking Up!” ()

Arm of the Sea Theater (NY)
6:00 – 8:00 PM on Library Plaza & in CenterCenter streets
Founded in 1982 by Marlena Marallo and Patrick Wadden,  Arm-of-the-Sea creates large-scale, contemporary works of mask and puppet theatre, and visual storytelling—with a potent style of magical realism that addresses the links between communities and the planet. (www.ArmoftheSea.org/)

Salsa Caliente (CT)
6:45 – 7:45 PM in the Farioly Room
With a complete suite of salsa & tango classes, Jay Barbalai brings together a community of dance enthusiasts who enjoy classes, parties and music events, in a friendly, safe, local and inclusive environment.(salsaamigos.net)

What’s Left (CT)
7:30 – 8:00 PM on Library Plaza
A rock, bluesy, alternative trio – guitar, bass, drums – with dreams of the Big Stage and the talent to make it there. (http://www.whatsleftofficial.com/)

Danbury Museum & Historical Society
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)

Colonial Dinner & Dancing
Dancing 4:00 – 5:00 PM/ Dinner 4:00 – 6:00 PM
Celebrate the new year with dinner & dancing at your hometown museum! A full traditional dinner will be served in the historic John Rider House with colonial dancing in Huntington Hall. A fun, history-filled and memorable evening for the entire family. Discount with buttons. Call (203) 743 5200 for information.

Danbury Music Centre
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. (http://www.danbury.org/MusicCtr/)

Chinese Theatre Works (NY)
4:00 – 4:45 PM & 6:00 – 6:45 PM
CTW promotes the traditional Chinese performing arts of opera, shadow theatre, puppetry, dance and music with new works that bridge Eastern and Western aesthetics and forms. Founded in 2001 by Kuang-Yu Fong  and Stephen Kaplin, the company presents “Tiger Tales,” a fusion of shadow theatre techniques in which a wise old rabbit recounts stories from her eventful life, including how she came to be the Prime Minister to Tiger, the ever-hungry jungle king. Four linked tales provide useful lessons in survival in today’s modern jungle. (www.chinesetheatreworks.org)

Buffa!  (CT)
5:00 – 5:45 & 7:00 – 7:45 PM
“Buffa!” performs a wide variety of musical programs, theatrically mounted with costumes, scenery and props. They include a cappella, madrigals, and doo-wop, but for First Night, they bring us a little known comic opera by no less than Johann Sebastian Bach. Entitled the “Coffee Cantata,” the work in Buffa!’s hands becomes a  piece of audience participation and explosive laughing. Smell the coffee?(www.buffa.art.officelive.com)

ESCAPE to the Arts
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. 293 Main Street (http://www.regionalymca.org/escape_about.html)

Making “Looking Up & Moving Forward” into an Art Form
4:00 – 6:00 PM
Have your face painted before you dig into paper and crayons to escape into your own world and into the First Night entertainments to follow. (ESCAPE will also be face painting at the Danbury Arena and installing a “Cascade from the Sky” at The Galleria.)

Heirloom Arts Theatre
The building that now houses the Heirloom Arts Theatre 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. 155 Main Street at the end of Palace Walk. (http://heirloomarts.org/)

Artie Tobia Band (CT)
4:45 – 5:30 & 6:00 – 6:45 PM
Whether it is the funky rock blues of “Still in the Way,” the country rock of “The Parade” or the roots rock Americana of their 3rd CD, “Chase the Sun,” the music of the four-time Gold Coast Award winners, Artie Tobia Band, is like slipping on your favorite pair of old blue jeans. Comfortable and warm… like coming home.  (www.artietobia.com)

Ives Manor Ballroom
Ives Manor houses low income apartments for the elderly and is subsidized by the federal government’s HUD (Housing and Urban Development division). 198 Main Street (http://www.publichousing.com/city/ct-danbury)

Richie Pace (MA)
4:00 – 4:45 & 5:30 – 6:15 PM
“A Robot Waiting For Air” is a solo project created by Richie. The acoustic rock sound is something Richie is more or less just having fun with.  His debut EP, “White & Gold” features songs he wrote in high school, as well as songs he wrote later that were sort of floating around without a home. Download the EP for free at www. arobotwaitingforair.bandcamp.com (By the way, he’s also a football star!)

Mercurial Gallery
A new exhibition space and online publisher that has encouraged a growth in emerging visual arts in Danbury. The gallery is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10:00am to 12:00pm and by appointment. 11 Library Place (http://www.themercurial.com/)

Exhibition Opening
4:00 – 8:00 PM with dance performances at 6:00 & 6:30 PM
The Mercurial Gallery is excited to present an evening of tropical beauty on First Night with the opening reception of “Selva Fantasma – Images from the Undeforestation Project”  by photographers Marissa Macias and Summer Moore, and two dance performances by the traditional Ecuadorian dance troupe, Juventud Latina. Dance performances: 6pm and 6:30pm.

Palace Danbury Theatre
The Palace Danbury Theatre 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. 165 Main Street. (http://thepalacedanbury.com/)

The Susan King Duo (NY)
4:00 – 6:15 PM in the Lobby
Susan King (vocals) and Steven Wright (vocals, keyboard, and sax) perform music from the 1920s (to honor The Palace) and move forward through the decades. Enjoy an evening of jazz standards, Broadway and cabaret tunes in a light, fun and swinging style. (www.susankingentertainment.com)

Airborne Jugglers (CT)
Vaudevilles: 4:30 – 5:15 PM, 5:30 – 6:15 PM & 6:30 – 7:15 PM
Astounding team juggling has been the signature of Joe Murray and Susan Kirby for almost 20 years. Their high energy show has been delighting audiences for almost 20 years. You’ll erupt into riotous laughter as audience members are plucked from the crowd and become the stars of the show, and synchronized juggling creates a festive atmosphere. (www.AirborneJugglers.com)

Peter Gross (MA)
Vaudevilles: 4:30 – 5:15 PM, 5:30 – 6:15 PM & 6:30 – 7:15 PM
Peter has been making people laugh ever since he graduated with a degree in Philosophy. Since then, he has performed at the Kennedy Center, The White House, Montreal’s Just For Laughs Festival, and won two silver medals at the International Variety Performers Competition. He has performed in Germany, Scotland, Japan, Austria, Hong Kong and won two silver medals at the Orangeboom International Variety Performer’s Competition in Rotterdam.     (www.funnymagic.com)

Natalia Paruz (NY)
Vaudevilles: 4:30 – 5:15 PM, 5:30 – 6:15 PM & 6:30 – 7:15 PM
Natalia ‘Saw Lady’ Paruz has played the musical saw with many orchestras and at such venues as Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Garden and Lincoln Center. Natalia was chosen by Time Out New York, Village Voice, New York Press and New York Resident for their “Best of New York” lists. (www.SawLady.com)

Saint James’ Church & Carillon
The church was organized and incorporated in Danbury, Connecticut, in 1762. Its 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. 25 West Street. (http://www.saintjamesdanbury.org/)

Mad Hatters Barbershop Chorus (CT)
4:00 – 4:45 PM
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 the city’s historic industries, they offer a rich repertoire of traditional barbershop, European hymnody and 19th-century vaudeville.

New Hope Mass Choir (CT)
5:00 – 5:45 pm
Under the musical direction of Brother Jonathan Hill, this Danbury institution has a long history of serving its community with powerful song, good will, confidence, and “Amazing Grace.” The Choir embodies this year’s First Night theme, “Looking Up & Moving Forward” with faith and positivity.

Linda Parker (CT)
6:00 – 6:45 PM
A soprano soloist at St. James’ Church for many years and with the Danbury Chorus, Linda will perform selections from musicals by Rodgers and Hammerstein. Linda is currently a member of the Waterbury Chorale, performing at the Palace Theater there.

Brian Dolzani (CT)
7:00 – 7:45 PM
Brian Dolzani’s music is heart-on-sleeve, engaging, expressive. With just him, his guitar, and resonant, expressive voice, he’ll sing songs that paint pictures, describe hurts and longings, and deeply move your heart and mind. His song craft is critically lauded, and his melodies linger and stay with you after just one listen. (http://www.briandolzani.com/)

Union Savings Bank at The Galleria
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. 225 Main Street. (http://www.unionsavings.com/)

Portuguese Traditional Games (CT)
4:00 – 7:30 PM
Our group demonstrates the key components of games: goals, rules, challenges, and interaction. For the past fifteen 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. ()

HannaH’s Field (CT)
4:15 – 5:00 & 5:30 – 6:15 PM
HannaH’s Field brings African Rhythms and organic fresh flavor to people with their gypsy reggae music. Nominated best female vocalist in the Hartford Advocate for many years, HannaH has a new release, Music Magic Medicine, weaving 15 musical tracks with a vegetarian/wheat-free cookbook. Come shake along! (http://www.hannahsfield.com)

Jossi Montoya (CT)
6:30 – 8:00 PM
Born in 1995 from Colombian descendents,  Jossi took an interest in music by the age of ten. In 2008, he worked the La X Estereo, an online Salsa radio station which led to Techno, house musics and his own experimental sounds. This year, this popular area DJ released his first Production Vibe.
(http://www.wix.com/joscooldo1/jossi_montoya)