In celebration of 25 years of cramming extraordinary entertainment into a single day, First Night Virginia adds a few new events to a list of returning favorites from the 2006 festivities. Musical options range from salsa and showtunes to Creole and classical; magic acts and comedy showdowns follow each other; the night even adds a First Film showcase for the loads of cinematically gifted locals.
Admission to all events is free with the purchase of a First Night button. Buttons cost $13 for adults ($15 on December 31), $7 for kids ages 4-12 ($8 on December 31), or $30 for a family pack good for two kids and two adults ($35 on New Year’s Eve). Admission buttons can be purchased at Plan 9, Timberlake’s Drug Store, Blue Ridge Mountain Sports, Volvo of Charlottesville, The Paramount Theater, Dippin’ Dots in Fashion Square Mall, Side Tracks, Hobby Town USA in Seminole Square and F-Stop Photo Studios in Pantops; starting December 29 they can also be purchased 10am-3pm at First Night Headquarters in the atrium of the Omni Hotel. Buttons are also on sale at the First Night website, www.firstnightva.org, and may be picked up at the First Night headquarters.
Note that certain popular events have a reserved ticket option, and are marked as such in the calendar. Reserved tickets guarantee you a seat at the show and cost $3 each per show at First Night headquarters December 29-31 only. For more information call 975-8269 or check www.firstnightva.org.
Sunday, December 31
2:30-3:30pm
Creation Station caters to your little Van Goghs with a do-it-yourself art center that allows kids to design their own party fare for the First Night Processional. In the James Monroe Room of the Omni Hotel.
Hobey Ford, a world-class puppeteer, returns by popular demand to the Carver Rec Center with another miraculous show.
Kim and Jimbo Cary get interactive during their music sessions at McGuffey Art Center. Pick up a gourd or tambourine and play along.
Lynette Ford offers a few “Home-Fried Tales” during an intimate storytelling session at Live Arts. Reserved tickets available.
Rod Serling School of Performing Arts’ Steel Drum Band welcomes you to “The Rhythm Zone” at Holy Comforter Catholic Church.
Richmond Ballet presents Minds in Motion at Herman Key, Jr. Rec Center. This performance is the flashy finale to months of training by students at Venable and Burnley-Moran elementary schools, in conjunction with the Richmond Ballet’s Team XXL youth program.
Shergold Studio shares exhilarating exhibitions —and a few pointers—at Christ Church Meade Hall.
2:30pm-midnight
The Resolution Wall provides the perfect place to set your resolution in print. Nothing erases chalk, people. At the Community Chalkboard and Podium, on the Downtown Mall.
4-5pm
The Jeffersonland Barbershop Chorus will celebrate 40 years of charming harmonies in 2007. See what keeps these chaps a-chiming at First Presbyterian Church Sanctuary.
Hobey Ford Puppets hold another show at Carver Rec Center.
A figure skating exhibition at the Charlottesville Ice Park offers the best of the local ice-dancers. Learn your double axels from your triple salchows, and be dazzled.
Greg Bennick is an odd triple threat—equal parts juggler, unicyclist and motivational speaker. Catch all three at The Paramount Theater. Reserved tickets available.
Creation Station continues at the James Monroe Room in the Omni Hotel.
SongSharing with Greg Allen at the Music Resource Center. Allen’s consistently enjoyable open mic night offers everyone a chance in the spotlight before 2007.
SunErgos performs “Pearl Rain, Deep Thunder” at Live Arts. Based on Chinese mythology, SunErgos uses intricate costumes and sets to heighten the excitement of this carefully choreographed theater and dance spectacle. Reserved tickets available.
Kim and Jimbo Cary perform a second set at McGuffey Art Center.
Two of a Kind brings you the same boisterous family-folk music that it brought to the stage with Peter, Paul and Mary and Pete Seeger. Catch the duo at Holy Comforter Catholic Church.
Richmond Ballet presents a second performance by Minds in Motion at Herman Key, Jr. Rec Center.
The All Faiths Peace Invocation is a chance to offer a prayer for peace in a (non-)secular manner of your choice. Share your spiritual hopes and thoughts with others at the Charlottesville Pavilion.
5-6pm
First Night Processional
Giant puppets lead a parade of kids and their Creation Station art masterpieces along the Downtown Mall, and cap the walk with Charlottesville’s largest bubble wrap stomp. Leaves from the front of the Omni Hotel.
5-8pm
Check out a Short Film Showcase featuring flicks from Charlottesville’s growing roster of filmmakers at Light House Studios. New films start every 15 minutes.
6-7pm
SongSharing host Greg Allen keeps the open mic acts rolling at the Music Resource Center.
Hobey Ford Puppets try not to get tangled up during a final show at Carver Rec Center.
Lynette Ford serves up another helping of “Home-Fried Tales” at Live Arts. Reserved tickets available.
Cyrus McCormick and the Reapers crank out tunes for fans of acts from Chuck Berry to the Big Bopper. The group promises more than 30 chart toppers at the Omni Hotel Ballroom. Reserved tickets available.
Jan Smith Duo bulks up the sound of Smith’s soulful, delicate tunes with mandolin, courtesy of Virginia Rambler Jeff Vogelgesang. Croon along with the pair at the Olde Town Center.
Greg Bennick keeps as many things in the air as he possibly can, and tries not to get distracted by your applause. At The Paramount Theater. Reserved tickets available.
Doug Schneider, a talented local thespian, drops the act for a night of songs at the First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. Reserved tickets available.
Heather Maxwell’s Afrika Soul features the ethnic music guru leading a six-piece world music band through styles from West African to American roots music. At Temple Beth-Israel. Reserved tickets available.
Beleza Brasil pairs American jazz standards with the flamenco-tinged classical guitar of Humberto Sales. Shimmy and shake to a samba at Christ Church Meade Hall.
Washington Balalaika Society plucks traditional Eastern European tunes at First United Methodist Church Sanctuary.
L.M. Karate Academy teaches its students respect and restraint, but that isn’t what you are here for. Come see an acrobatic demo at the Herman Key, Jr. Rec Center. “Wax on, wax off.”
Two of a Kind perform again at Holy Comforter Catholic Church.
Thomas Meany and Michael Simmons offer a sanctuary for the classical music fans on New Year’s. Listen to Baroque and Romantic period tunes performed on flute and classical guitar at McGuffey Art Center.
7pm
Albemarle Morris Men usher in the New Year with their time-honored traditional form of English folk dancing on the Downtown Mall.
7:30-8:30pm
Abbey Road takes you on a magical mystery tour of the songs that made The Beatles famous at the Omni Hotel Ballroom. Re
served tickets available.
Jeffersonland Barbershop Chorus shows of their chops once again at the First Presbyterian Church Sanctuary. Reserved tickets available.
Marthe Rowen and Dan Stern show you the meaning of “sultry” with a cabaret performance at First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. Listen up for tunes from Kurt Weill and Edith Piaf. Reserved tickets available.
Battle of the Improv Giants pits local comedy masters the Improfessionals against the Bent theatre Company at the Olde Town Center.
John Westford celebrates 2007 by defying death throughout the night at The Paramount Theater. Watch amazing feats of magic and escape. Reserved tickets available.
The Virginia Ramblers perform their traditional bluegrass tunes at First United Methodist Church Sanctuary, and turn the church into an Appalachian-style country porch.
Matty Metcalfe and Creu d’Bayou deliver authentic tunes on traditional instruments from the Big Easy at Temple Beth-Israel. Reserved tickets available.
Heart’s Desire is a workshop that helps you focus on keeping those resolutions for the next 365 days. At Studio 206.
First Film’s inaugural screening at Vinegar Hill Theatre features short flicks made with the theme of “a life in the day.” If the annual Virginia Film Fest proves anything, it’s that this town knows film.
L.M. Karate Academy keeps kicking out the fun at Herman Key, Jr. Rec Center.
SunErgos offers a second performance of “Pearl Rain, Deep Thunder” at Live Arts. Reserved tickets available.
Son Quatro adds fuel to the fire of traditional salsa music at Christ Church Meade Hall.
World Premiere Suite for Jazz Quintet and Chamber Ensemble at the Christ Church Sanctuary. John D’earth unveils a new composition with the help of the Free Bridge Quintet, the Charlottesville High School Orchestra and additional guests. Reserved tickets available.
Rod Serling School of Performing Arts’ Steel Drum Band keeps the music otherworldly at Holy Comforter Catholic Church.
7:30pm-midnight
The Teen Band Showcase rocks the house with an opportunity to see Charlottesville’s talented rising stars in concert at the Music Resource Center.*
8:30pm
Albemarle Morris Men continue with their performance of traditional English folk dancing on the Downtown Mall.
9-10pm
Uncle Henry’s Favorites teach you the steps to a few square dances, then lead you through with top-notch traditional music at the Carver Rec Center.
World Premiere Suite for Jazz Quintet and Chamber Ensemble at the Christ Church Sanctuary. Catch D’earth’s latest opus a second time. Reserved tickets available.
Cyrus McCormick and the Reapers strike again at the Omni Hotel Ballroom. Reserved tickets available. Don’t fear the Reapers.
Beleza Brasil put the “boss” in bossa nova at Christ Church Meade Hall.
Doug Schneider tunes up and croons away at the First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. Reserved tickets available.
Washington Balalaika Society offers another set of music so Gypsy-tinged that it outperforms Stevie Nicks at First United Methodist Church Sanctuary.
Thomas Meany and Michael Simmons perform a second set at McGuffey Art Center.
Shergold Studios teach your feet to move with style at Herman Key, Jr. Rec Center.
Heart’s Desire offers tips on how to attain your goals at Studio 206.
First Film hosts a second screening at Vinegar Hill Theatre.
Heather Maxwell’s Afrika Soul gives your spirit a boost at Temple Beth-Israel. Reserved
tickets available.
Jay Pun and Morwenna Lasko deliver acoustic tunes that evoke classical and the contemporary music in equal measure at Holy Comforter Catholic Church.
Jan Smith Duo perform again at the Olde Town Center.
John Westford continues to astound and amaze at The Paramount Theater. Can he pull a rabbit out of his hat? Reserved tickets available.
10:30-11:30pm
Abbey Road channels Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (and the other Fab Four incarnations) at the Omni Hotel Ballroom until 12:30am. Reserved tickets available.
Son Quatro deliver righteous rhythms at the Christ Church Meade Hall.
The Virginia Ramblers whip up a fiddlin’ frenzy at the First United Methodist Church Sanctuary.
Marthe Rowen and Dan Stern perform a second set at First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. Reserved tickets available.
Battle of the Improv Giants tries to open a new bag of comedy tricks in a second performance at the Olde Town Center.
First Film hosts a final screening at Vinegar Hill Theatre.
Uncle Henry’s Favorites teach you to promenade at the Carver Rec Center.
Matty Metcalfe and Creu d’Bayou deliver more of the musical flavor of New Orleans at Temple Beth-Israel. Reserved tickets available.
Jay Pun and Morwenna Lasko break the barriers between musical genres at Holy Comforter Catholic Church.
Midnight
Fireworks start the new year off with a bang—literally—at Lane Field.
*Wrist bands are also required for the Teen Band Showcase at the Music Resource Center. Wrist bands come free with purchase of a First Night button, or $6 without, and can be picked up at the Omni Hotel.
VENUES
Carver Rec Center
Fourth Street NW
Charlottesville Ice Park
West end of the Downtown Mall
Charlottesville Pavilion
East end of the Downtown Mall
Christ Church Meade Hall and Sanctuary
120 W. High St.
Counity Chalkboard and Podium
East end of the Downtown Mall
Downtown Mall
The large area between Market and Water streets where all the racket is coming from.
First Presbyterian Sanctuary
500 Park St.
First United Methodist Church Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall
101 E. Jefferson St.
Herman Key, Jr. Rec Center (formerly the Downtown Center)
800 E. Market St.
Holy Comforter Catholic Church
208 E. Jefferson St.
Lane Field
McIntire Road
Light House Studio
City Center for Contemporary Arts, 123 Water St.
Live Arts
City Center for Contemporary Arts, 123 Water St.
McGuffey Art Center
201 Second St. NW
Music Resource Center
105 Ridge St.
Olde Town Center
609 E. Market St.
Omni Hotel
235 W. Main St., Downtown Mall
Paramount Theater
215 E. Main St., Downtown Mall
Studio 206
206 W. Market St.
Temple Beth-Israel
301 E. Jefferson St.
Vinegar Hill Theatre
220 W. Market St.
—compiled by Brendan Fitzgerald
