Glow-in-the-dark art, Main Street pirate ship all part of New Year's celebration in Akron
By Mary Beth Breckenridge
Beacon Journal
Published on Thursday, Dec 27, 2007
Even if you've seen First Night, you haven't seen this First Night.
Every year the organizers of Akron's New Year's Eve celebration strive to add features that make the party fresh, even for repeat visitors. This year, they're rolling out a pirate ship that will sail through downtown, a party for a jester named Jack and a black-light art exhibit that will showcase works in all their Day-Glo glory.
The 2007 blowout, First Night's 12th, is built around the theme of the joyful artwork chosen for its admission button, said Kimberlee McKee, president of the Downtown Akron Partnership, which organizes First Night Akron. That artwork is called Celebrating the Arts in Akron, by Kent artist Linda Hutchinson.
While First Night has always focused on the arts, this year's edition pays special tribute to their vibrancy here and the Akron area's appreciation of them, McKee said.
And at $10 a person (free for children younger than 10), the event is an affordable way for people from all over the region to come together and sample the featured artists' talents, she said.
''It has no boundaries,'' she said. ''It's for people who want to celebrate the arts together.''
They won't even have to do it in the cold. All but two of the 21 event sites are indoors, and Metro buses will shuttle partygoers between venues.
What's more, the event is alcohol-free, so it's a family-friendly way to bring in the new year. It's hardly food-free, though: Restaurants will be open throughout downtown, and event sites will offer specially themed First Night treats, such as Your Last Regret, a decadent dessert at the resolution wall in the John S. Knight Center.
One of the most visible attractions of First Night promises to be the Happy Hornswoggle, a pirate ship that will ply the asphalt waters of Main Street. It will double as a stage for a sea-theme puppet show.
Jack will be back, and the jester from last year's First Night celebration will be the guest of honor at a birthday party at Lock 3 Park, complete with music, games and gifts for the honoree. Afterward, revelers will parade to the Kids Countdown Show and fireworks display, an opportunity for younger partyers to welcome the new year a few hours early.
Another new attraction for all ages is Land of the Midnight Sun, a black-light art installation at Summit Artspace curated by artist Mark Soppeland. Visitors will see works by various artists designed to be viewed under a black light, and they'll be able to add their own creations to the collection.
Some old favorites will be returning, such as the First Night Idol singing competition at the John S. Knight Center and weddings at First Night's Chapel in the Moonlight at Main Place. Other highlights include Colin Dussault's Blues Project, the O'Hare Irish Dancers and a Kwanzaa celebration, all at the Akron Civic Theatre; comedians at the University of Akron's Polsky Building; the Howard Street Blues Band at the John S. Knight Center; and singer Alex Bevan at the O'Neil's Building.
Partygoers will be able to get in on the acts, too. Those opportunities include Studio Hope, a project that will let people join in a digital rhythm jam session at the Shoppes at Akron Centre; Melissa Daubert's Baby New Year Jam, a kinetic art experience at the Akron Art Museum; and Natural Bridges, an audience-participation puppet comedy show at Akron Children's Hospital.
Altogether, First Night will feature more than 30 visual and interactive art activities and 50 performing artists and groups representing dance, theater and music.
As always, the night will be capped with fireworks at midnight at the Main Stage. For the first time, the fireworks show will be choreographed to music by WKDD (98.1-FM).
McKee is hoping for cooperative weather, although with so many indoor sites, ''the weather shouldn't be that much of a factor,'' she said. In fact, she has fond memories of people laughing beneath their umbrellas as they made their way though the cold rain to the First Night fireworks two years ago.
To her, it was evidence that First Night brings out the best in Akron and its people.
''You feel safe. You meet new people. People are so happy and friendly . . . ,'' she said. ''It's probably the best way to end the year.''
How to be patron
A special First Night Akron admission button lets boosters show their support for Akron's arts.
The Arts Patron Button, accented with chaser lights and a special arts-patron star, sells for $20, $10 more than a regular admission button. The additional money helps fund First Night's artists.
Arts-patron buttons are available at these locations:
Don Drumm Studios & Gallery, 437 Crouse St., Akron.
The Akron Art Museum store, 1 S. High St., Akron
Acme Fresh Market, 1835 W. market St., Akron
The Library Shop on Main, 60 S. High St., Akron
Stage Left Boutique, 182 S. Main St., Akron.
Carolyn's Cupboard, 138 Main St., Wadsworth
