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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

New year, new festivities

First Night adds performers, activities to celebration’s annual favorites

New Year’s Eve is as much about honoring tradition as it is embracing change, and First Night Spokane follows that framework.

Now in its 14th year, First Night is an all-night celebration of art, music, performance and community in downtown Spokane.

“Every year we try to up the ante and bring in something new for everybody,” said Lona Barnum, First Night’s executive director. “We have a lot of new talent this year, but also all of the traditional stuff. If you’ve been to a lot of the First Nights and you like the traditionals, never fear – we have that.”

If you’re looking to shake up the ritual of your First Night experience on Wednesday, here are some of the new acts on this year’s slate:

• One of the hubs for entertainment at First Night is the INB Performing Arts Center, where local Celtic band Floating Crowbar returns to perform traditional tunes with students from the Haran School of Irish Dance. But a new addition to the First Night lineup is hypnotist Tammy Harris Barton, who specializes in the classic fairground routines of bringing willing participants onstage and making them very, very sleepy.

• Graphic novel artist Patrick Blaine has had his work featured in DC, Image and Dark Horse Comics, as well as in the “God of War,” “Resident Evil” and “Call of Duty” video game series. A Spokane native, Blaine will be on hand at the Kress Gallery from 7 to 10 p.m. to meet fans and autograph his work, examples of which will be on display at Kress through January.

• For years now, First Night has featured a performance by big band Tuxedo Junction. But since they’re unable to attend the 2014 festivities, the task of playing American musical standards will be fulfilled by Hot Club of Spokane, which specializes in old-fashioned jazz and swing. Their repertoire includes tunes made famous by such Washington natives as Bing Crosby and Mildred Bailey, and they’re planning to release their debut album in May of next year.

• Also new to this year’s First Night is an interactive art event called Pint Sized Picasso, which is similar to programs like Van Gogh and Merlot – sans the merlot. All participants are given paint and canvases and asked to reproduce the same image; artistic talent is merely optional.

Barnum says that the First Night programmers are also stressing more social media outreach this year. Any photos you post to Instagram or Twitter and tag with #FirstNightSpokane will be printed out and can be picked up at River Park Square.

And if you attend First Night planning on merely being a casual observer, you might become a part of the festivities.

“We try to create things that (encourage) audience participation,” Barnum said. “So even you think you’re just there to sit and listen to music, you might be a part of the band.”