First Night 2012 Promises Fun for All Ages

First Night is an artistic and cultural celebration on New Year's Eve, taking place from afternoon until midnight. The original First Night began in Boston in 1976 by a small group of artists who sought an alternative way of celebrating New Year's Eve, creating an event where the consumption of alcohol is banned. Soon other surrounding communities started their own First Night celebrations.

Montclair Township will host First Night Montclair, the Township’s annual New Year’s Eve celebration, with an exciting and much larger line-up over last year’s event.

This year features a laser show, basketball hoops wizard, Bubblemania, juggling, magician, and ventriloquist. Music includes salsa band Afrocuba, Warren Zanes, TNT Ramblers, Zara Phillips. A list of events with time and site are listed below.

Ticket Info: $5 Kids & Youth Ticket (ages 3 to 17 years of age)
                  $15 Adult Ticket/$20 on December 31.
TICKETS AVAILABLE AT: www.brownpapertickets.com
Ticket Sales Hours at the Municipal Building are:
December 12 to 30, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Cash & Checks only for ticket purchases at the Montclair Municipal Building
Tickets also available at Investors Bank, 536 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair:
December 12 to 30: Monday & Wednesday 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
December 31: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Montclair First Night Events:

MUSIC & LAUGHS

Warren Zanes
A musician who made three records with 1980s rock and roll band the Del Fuegos and three as a solo artist, a thinker-for-hire who has worked on several high-profile music projects, including, most recently, the upcoming George Harrison documentary directed by Martin Scorsese, and the Executive Director of Little Steven Van Zandt's Rock and Roll Forever Foundation.

Warren is a PhD and professor at several American universities, a Vice President at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, a writer whose subjects range from Jimmy Rodgers to Dusty Springfield to the Wilburn Brothers to the history of Warner Bros. Records, where his work is an extension of his non-profit experience and his teaching at Case Western Reserve, the School of Visual Arts, the University of Rochester, and other institutions. Among those who have already stepped forward to praise his latest recording are Cameron Crowe, Aimee Mann, and Tom Petty. But, mostly, Zanes flies under the radar and is a Montclair resident.
Shows at 8 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Unitarian Congregation Sanctuary, 67 Church Street

Zara Phillips
Singer-songwriter Zara Phillips has an engaging and confident style that combines strong lyrical themes with powerful melodies to create music that is both thought-provoking and entertaining. Zara began her professional career working as a backing vocalist for Bob Geldof on his solo album. She then continued to work on tour, in television and videos with U.K. artists such as Matt Bianco, Nick Kamen, David Essex, Perfect Day and the solo project from Dire Straits John Illsley.
Shows at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Unitarian Congregation Sanctuary, 67 Church Street

Andy McKee and Friends Present New Kind Of Blue
New Kind Of Blue energizes the music of Miles Davis’ classic recording with a contemporary interpretation that remains true to the musical sensibilities of the original masterpiece. The remix of these timeless melodies offers an updated perspective that explores some important developments in jazz since the masterful 1959 release.

The personnel includes an alumni of the seminal period of Miles Davis' electric era: Billy Hart (On the Corner, 1972) who sets an unstoppable groove that bubbles skyward from his rich lifelong presence on the global jazz scene. Guitarist Vic Juris brings to the group his extraordinary musical gift of harmonic texture and rhythmic clarity, weaving through the musical fabric with the skill and precision of a Formula 1 driver. North Jersey's own, Freddie Hendrix adds his trumpet expertise to the group with a melodic sensibility and innovative solo concept that pays tribute to Miles' rich musical legacy. After years of experience with the strongest bands in jazz, bassist Andy McKee shows no signs of letting up as he anchors this powerful mix of musical forces simmering in a wholly original and delectable musical brew.
Shows at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Covenant Church, 17 Valley Road

Afrocuba Band
Afrocuba Band is one of North Jersey's most sought after Salsa Bands for weddings, private parties, festivals and corporate events. Since 2001, John Acevedo's Cuban band has performed for all kinds of venues up and down the east coast. Latin Band NJ. Afrocuba Band was formed in 2001 by John Acevedo (musical director and bass player), Kevin Ortiz (Timbalero), Mario Duque (Pianist), and Alex Dieguez (Conga). Afrocuba's original repertoire consisted primarily of classic, old school, Cuban music and, in 2004, slowly evolved to include Puerto Rican and Colombian influences as well. Afrocuba Band has gained much popularity among salsa dancers in the North Jersey and New York City area and has gained an impressive following of fans.
Shows at 7 p.m., 8 p.m., and 9 p.m.
Hillside School Cafeteria, 54 Orange Road

TNT Ramblers
The Temple Ner Tamid Ramblers, aka "The TNT Ramblers" are an outreach band from Temple Ner Tamid, 936 Broad Street, Bloomfield. They will be playing two sets of traditional and original blues for this year's First Night. They’ve been playing for the guests of Toni's Kitchen at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Montclair, on the last Saturday of the month for the last six years, without missing a month.
Shows at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Salvation Army Citadel, 13 Trinity Place

Comedian Steve Shaffer
Ace award winning comedian Steve Shaffer has appeared on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, Merv Griffin, Comedy Central, HBO, The CBS Morning Show and Showtime. Steve has toured with George Carlin, Paul Anka, Julio Inglesias and others. He had a recurring role on the Emmy award winning Murphy Brown and has many national commercials to his credit, including a roll as the Jeopardy Coach. Steve’s comical take on contemporary music has landed him many spots on everything from American Bandstand and VH1 to MTV's New Years Eve Special with Guns & Roses. Steve can be seen almost every week of the year in theaters, corporate dates, cruises and night clubs.
Shows at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Covenant Church, 17 Valley Road

Terry’s Serendepity Café
Terry’s Serendipity Café is a project begun by Montclair High School students in the spring of 1995. It provides a place for our town’s young people to listen to performances by a wide variety of artists, poets and musicians here in town. Terry’s Serendipity Café is run by the students themselves, with adult volunteer advice and supervision. The café presents all types of performances and music from classical to rock, from jazz to hip hop. We have “open mic” time set aside at each café for people to come up on stage and perform. It is a great place for new artists to present their material to a live audience.
From 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Montclair Public Library, 50 South Fullerton Avenue

FAMILY FUN

Wild ‘N Whacky
One of the most popular party games shows around, the Wild n Wacky Challenge is loaded with hilarious and crazy stunts where audience member compete against each other in a series of unique, on-on-one and interactive group challenges. Watch out for the famous homemade sludge and pie wall, ready to make a mess out of some lucky contestant. Join in the fun as a professional game show host and referee gather teams and individuals to compete against one another balancing plates, breaking balloons, tossing rings and participating in lots of other fun-filled challenges.
Shows at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Hillside School Gym, 54 Orange Road

Magician Joe Fischer
Joe Fischer presents a magic program that will astound, baffle, delight, thrill and entertain your audience. This fast-paced show has the perfect blend of magic, audience participation, comedy and excitement. Joe has an outstanding rapport with children - ability to communicate on their level is what makes this show real magic.
Shows at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Unitarian Congregation Hall, 67 Church Street

Lasermania
Lasermania’s Laser Spectacular is a visual extravaganza, featuring dazzling laser animations synchronized to riveting music. Lasermania has performs over two thousand educational, interactive, and entertaining laser programs every year. Audiences will be amazed!
Shows at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Hillside School Auditorium, 54 Orange Road

BubbleMania
A First Night favorite is back! Bubblemania combines high energy entertainment with artistic achievement. This event is loaded with visual comedy, quick wit, big band swing music and the untamed, often unbelievable qualities and beauty of spherical liquids. Bubbles that bounce; funky, gravity defying globs of bubble foam; incredibly long serpents of soap film; the breath-taking finale! A must-see event!
Shows at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Hillside School Auditorium, 54 Orange Road

Juggler Will Shaw
Will Shaw's unique blend of physical comedy, verbal wit and dazzling skill has taken him across the country and around the world. Performing in venues as diverse as the stages of major symphony orchestras and theaters to those of schools, colleges, camps, resorts, business events and even TV and movies, he has created a universally appealing style, irresistible to audiences of all ages.
Shows at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Hillside School Gym, 54 Orange Road

The Hoop Wizard
Jack Ryan a.k.a. Black Jack & the Hoop Wizard performs an interactive show filled with basketball tricks and skits that keeps crowds from all over the world in stitches.  Black Jack has performed on ESPN®, SportsCenter and the Today Show.
Shows at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Salvation Army Citadel Gym, 13 Trinity Place

Square Dancing
A huge hit year after year, we’re gonna’ do-si-do into 2012! Foot tapping, hand clapping traditional square dancing with professional caller Fran Wadel Strap on your boots and get dancing!
Dance sessions at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Hillside School Cafeteria, 54 Orange Road

For more information, visit www.FirstNightMontclair.org or call the Montclair Department of Recreation and Cultural Affairs at 973-509-4915.

SPONSORS: Montclair Community Intervention Alliance (MCIA), Brookdale ShopRite, PSE&G, Mountainside Hospital, JW Pierson Co. Heating Oil & Service, Academy Square and Hillside Square, Pinnacle Companies, Investors Bank CONTRIBUTORS: Proponent Federal Credit Union, Bob & Bobbie Constabale, TD Bank, Brendan Gill, John J. Giblin Association, The Festa Melanoma Foundation, The Montclair Times

FRIENDS:  Harvey & Jane Susswein, Jerry Freier, Bob Fraser Locksmith, Don & Joan Zief, Dr. Joseph Mason, Hugh M. Moriarty Funeral Home, Robert Russo, Morris Byrd & Janet Shapiro, Jacqueline McMullen, Sanford & Kathryn Sorkin, Walter & Laura Giles