New Year's Needham

10:00am and 11:00am

• Pumpernickel Puppets: Peter Rabbit (45 minutes, ages 3+) John McDonough's Pumpernickel Puppets present a fun and colorful twist on the classic Beatrix Potter story. Larger than life size puppets will make a special appearance following the production.
  Needham Public Library

11:00am

• Cindy Rivka Marshall - Storyteller: Bear's Tail and other Animal (ages 5+) Cindy Rivka Marshall is an award-winning storyteller who travels nationally to perform and teach storytelling. She runs the Dancing Tree Storytelling Studio at the Gorse Mill Studios in Needham. St. Joe's School / Pickering Street

12:00pm to 4:00pm

• Creative Movement Open House (ages 1-8) Come and enjoy an afternoon of art & crafts by Parent Talk, face painting, balloon art, karaoke and open gym for the kids Creative Movement & Arts Center

12:30pm and 1:00pm

• Magic Tricks with Matt Magic tricks and fun for kids. Creative Movement & Arts Center

12:30pm

• Creative Comedians Laughs and yucks for the entire family. Creative Movement & Arts Center

1:00pm

• Johanna Sweet - Storyteller: Tales of Tricksters, Fools, and Fun (45 minutes, ages 4+) A variety of short, interactive stories. Ms. Sweet will invite her audiences to help tell the stories and join the storytelling tradition. Needham Public Library
• Rhymezwell with Tucker Wood. (30 minutes) Accomplished Rap and Hip Hop artist. Creative Movement & Arts Center

1:30pm

• The Singing Trooper (1 hour) Sign-up required, refreshments to follow the event. Sgt. Daniel M. Clark, known as "The Singing Trooper," has performed since 1985. People Magazine published an article on Clark, prompting his appearances on the "Rosie O'Donnell Show" and the "Donnie and Marie Show". Stephen Palmer Senior Center

2:00pm

• Johanna Sweet - Storyteller: Tales of Heroes--Tales of Change (45 minutes, ages 6+) A presentation of longer stories. Ms. Sweet performs works that are drawn from diverse cultures and reveal the humor and poignancy of what it means to be human. Needham Public Library
• Needham Dance Theatre (30 minutes) A repertoire of Jazz, Hip Hop and Ballet, dancers of all ages will entertain with beautiful choreography that is stirring as well as clever and fun! Christ Episcopal Church (Fellowship Hall)
• Needham Youth Chamber Ensembles (45 minutes) Needham residents joined by area students from NEC and Longy Prep Departments. Congregational Church
• Charles River Ballet Academy (45 minutes) Under Needham native Emily Hrones Umland's direction, the CRBA dancers move beyond technique to bring classical and contemporary pieces to life. First Parish in Needham, Unitarian Universalist
• Quinobequin Quilters (2-9pm) The Quinobequin Quilters present a colorful quilt show featuring the work of local artists. Prudential Properties

2:30pm

• CMAC Performers (30 minutes) Scenes from The Lion King and Creative Comedians. Creative Movement & Arts Center
• Exchange Club Train (2:30-4:30pm) Hop in and take a ride on the kid's train. Fun for the entire family. Memorial Park

3:00pm

• Magician Chris Bolter The mystifying and mind-bending magician with a humorous twist. Bring your rubber chicken. One of New England's premier children's entertainers captivates the minds and hearts of each and every child, leaving them asking for more. Needham Public Library
• O'Shea Irish Step Dancing (30 minutes) These step dancers combine traditional and contemporary dances and costumes in a truly exciting way. Christ Episcopal Church (Fellowship Hall)
• The Kirk Family Band (45 minutes) With sax, piano, guitar, and song, the Kirk family makes music together for an inspiring and memorable performance all ages will enjoy. First Church of Christ Scientist (Sunday Room)
• Needham Youth Chamber Ensembles (45 minutes) Needham residents joined by area students from NEC and Longy prep departments. Congregational Church
• Charles River Ballet Academy Academy (45 minutes) Under Needham native Emily Hrones Umland's direction, the CRBA dancers move beyond technique to bring classical and contemporary pieces to life. First Parish in Needham, Unitarian Universalist
• CMAC Karaoke (30 minutes) Become the next Needham Idol! Creative Movement & Arts Center

3:30pm

• Fermata Nowhere (30 minutes) Needham High School's newest and largest all female A cappella group. Christ Episcopal Church (Chapel)
• Closing Campfire (All ages) Gather around the "campfire" snuggled up next to loved ones, eating toasted marshmallows on a stick and singing the songs of childhood. Creative Movement & Arts Center

3:45pm

• Magician Chris Bolter (30 minutes) One of New England's premier children's entertainers captivates the minds and hearts of each and every child, leaving them asking for more. Needham Public Library

4:00pm

• Comedian/Hypnotist Jim Spinnato (90 minutes, ages 13+) NYN will be put to "sleep" by Hypnotist/Comedian Jim Spinnato. Watch as audience volunteers dance, sing and sleep on command...all while under the influence of hypnosis! Christ Episcopal Church (Fellowship Hall)
• Katie Latimer - Storyteller (45 minutes, ages 10-adults) Winner of the 1998 National Youth Storytelling Olympics, Katie delights audiences of all ages with her interactive and dynamic stories. Her trademark fast-paced and witty style, and unforgettable stories are sure to make you laugh, and share for years to come. First Baptist Church
• NHS Haydn Trio (45 minutes) Three members of the award winning Needham High School Orchestra join forces to perform a variety of enjoyable light classical selections for upper strings. Congregational Church
• Great Plain Squares (90 minutes, ages 8+) Here's your chance to try out square dancing-no experience needed! Great exercise for mind and body. This much fun can be habit-forming. First Parish in Needham, Unitarian Universalist

4:30pm

• Magician Chris Bolter (30 minutes) One of New England's premier children's entertainers captivates the minds and hearts of each and every child, leaving them asking for more. Needham Public Library
• Merengue Lessons (1 hour) Learn to dance the merengue with Betty Hood. YMCA Great Plain

5:00pm

• Kirsten and Dave (45 minutes) Swapping melodies and harmonies as they play acoustic pop, country, blues and folk/ bluegrass, this duo will captivate you with great music. First Baptist Church
• West Newton Ceili Band (45 minutes) Performed at the Boston Celtic Music Festival and plays monthly at Paddy's Pub in West Newton. Jigs, reels and dance tunes of a fine Irish session. First Church of Christ Scientist (Sanctuary)

6:00pm to 10:00pm

• Laser Light Music Show Enjoy Food, Ice Sculpture, and a spectacular Laser Light Show set to music by Dynamic Lighting Systems. Town Hall

6:00pm

• Soomie Lee (45 minutes) Accomplished classical pianist Soomie Lee will play a variety of works from such luminaries as Johann Sebastian Bach, Ludwig van Beethoven, Maurice Ravel and Sergei Rachmaninoff. Congregational Church  CANCELLED
• Chris Wilhelm (45 minutes) The reigning prince of Boston's singer-songwriter scene. He was a featured artist on WERS last year. His heartfelt acoustic indie-folk rock is infectious and insightful. First Church of Christ Scientist
• Beth DeSombre (45 minutes) Beth DeSombre sings new songs that spring from old traditions, telling the stories of people and places along life's crooked highways. Sing Out! Magazine describes her songs as "smart and uplifiting . . . focusing on the quiet meaning to be found in ordinary life." First Baptist Church
• Ballroom Dance New England (1 hour) Salsa dance the night away with instructors from Needham's premier ballroom dance studio! Learn to dance easy beginner steps to start the New Year off on the right foot! No partner needed. Christ Episcopal Church (Fellowship Hall)

7:00pm

• Longwood Opera (1 hour) "Opera Meets Broadway" with Stephanie Mann and Tom Weber, accompanied by Jeffrey Brody. They will present Broadway tunes that have been performed on the Opera stage and Opera selections that have been performed in Broadway theatres. An opportunity for the family to enjoy both genres. Christ Episcopal Church (Sanctuary)
• Sound Investment (45 minutes) "A Very Large A Cappella Men's Octet." A throw-back to the days of college octets and glee clubs, Sound Investment, an octet of members of the Saengerfest Men's Chorus, sings timeless favorites that appeal to a variety of musical tastes and generations. First Church of Christ Scientist
• Robert Rivera (45 minutes) An eclectic classical cellist and award-winning composer who works in genres as diverse as classical, jazz, and improvisational music. First Baptist Church
• The Needham Concert Society (45 minutes) The Needham Concert Society will present a program of festive and exciting classical chamber works. Several of Needham's professional musician residents join with outstanding young musicians to perform works of Bach, Vivaldi, Dvorak, Mozart and more. Congregational Church

8:00pm

• Melodious Funk (45 minutes) is Needham's longest running independent Jazz group. The band celebrates its 10th anniversary this year and the name still says it all, jazz with strong melodies played funky. First Church of Christ Scientist
• Plugged-In Teen Bands (8-10pm, ages 8-18) Come hear Needham's rising talents with the Plugged-In Teen Bands playing rock, pop, and blues, cover songs and originals. First Baptist Church

8:15pm

• Needham Community Theatre (45 minutes) Come hear our local troupe perform songs from your favorite musicals and show tunes. Christ Episcopal Church (Sanctuary)

8:00pm to Midnight

• The Homegrown Coffeehouse Welcomes 2011 First Parish in Needham, Unitarian Universalist

9:00pm

• Jerry Wasserman and the Great Experiment featuring Bill Okerman, Bo Veaner and Faith Senie. (45 minutes) Jerry is a Needham Selectman who writes and performs his own songs, based on his rather unique view of the universe. He offers satirical observations of life with occasional contrasting shifts to a more somber examination. First Parish in Needham, Unitarian Universalist

10:00pm

• Chris Pahud & Guest Artists On New Year's Eve 2011 the Homegrown Coffeehouse will feature a special 'In The Round' celebration of music and poetry performances with Chris Pahud joined by Ken Batts, Cheryl Perreault joined by Steve Rapson, Tom Smith and special 'In The Round' guest for the evening, Michael Troy.
  
  Last year was the first gathering of this group who performed together on the Homegrown Coffeehouse stage as part of the New Year's Eve Needham 2010 celebration. With the addition of Ken Batts from Wellesley on accordion and award winning folk singer/songwriter Michael Troy from Fall River, it promises to be a night of diverse themes and styles of music-sharing as well as performance of spoken word to guitar. First Parish in Needham, Unitarian Universalist