Hats off to 2004

Navigating through First Night Spokane, with its 45 venues and 125 performers and artists, is part of the challenge. The best way to do it: Go to www.firstnightspokane.org and create your own First Night Planner, a personalized schedule. Then print it out and take it with you to the annual New Year’s Eve downtown arts-and-performance festival on Friday. Or you can use one of these two sample First Night Planners, which we created along two general themes: The Big Stuff, which covers some of the major events, and the Random Sampler, which explores the range of esoteric offerings.

As always, admission to all activities is by a First Night button, available in advance for $10 today at all Tidyman’s supermarkets, Zip Trip locations and Tomlinson-Black real estate offices. Buttons also will be sold for $12 on Friday at River Park Square and various other venues downtown. Children 10 and under with button-wearing adults are admitted free.

The Big Stuff

6 p.m.: The Grand Procession, from Main and Post to the Riverfront Park Gondola Meadow. This is the annual parade to kick off First Night, following the Kids Night Out children’s festival from 3 to 6 p.m. (see story on page 7 for details). In keeping with this year’s theme, “Hats Alive! For 2005,” kids will wear hats they made at their festival, joined by adults in their most stylish and/or outrageous hats. You can watch or participate.

6:30 p.m.: Opening Ceremony, on the Main Stage at the Gondola Meadow at Riverfront Park.

7 p.m.: Jupiter Effect, River Park Square’s Hideout (entrance on first floor). One of Spokane’s best and most popular bands, mixing rock, funk, hip-hop and more.

7:30 p.m.: Spokane Symphony Orchestra , Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes. The full professional orchestra.

8 p.m.: Bethel B.A.S.I.C. Gospel Choir and Highest Praise Dancers, Fox Theater. Two of Spokane’s biggest gospel choirs (B.A.S.I.C. and Fairchild Air Force Base) combine voices.

9 p.m.: Cirque de Flambe, Riverfront Park’s Main Stage, Gondola Meadow. The Seattle pyrotechnical circus.

10 p.m.: Maya Soleil, Fox Theater. A Seattle Afro/world beat group.

11 p.m.: Tuxedo Junction Big Band, Masonic Temple Auditorium. Spokane’s most popular big band.

Midnight: Northern Quest Fireworks Finale, Riverfront Park Clocktower Meadow.

The Random Sampler

7 p.m.: Frog Island Singers and Dancers, Bank of America Financial Center Atrium. The Kalispel Tribe’s traditional performing group.

8 p.m.: Puen Thai, Main Street Arts Center, Room B, First Floor of the old Burlington Coat Factory store, 811 W. Main. Thai cultural entertainment from the Thai-American Association.

9 p.m.: Prairie Flyer, River Park Square Atrium, first floor. Fine bluegrass and American roots music.

10 p.m.: Allegro Baroque and Beyond, Post Street Gallery, old Hamer’s building at Post and Riverside. Music from the baroque, classical and romantic eras played on period instruments.

10:30 p.m.: Nah’Joom Dancers, Main Street Arts Center, Room B, First Floor, 811 W. Main. Belly dancing and other ethnic and folkloric dances.

11 p.m.: Blue Door Theatre, Spokane City Hall Council Chambers, 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd., entrance on Post. The Spokane comedy improv troupe.

There are a handful of more specialized venues, including the Eleventh Hour teen festival, with bands and skateboarders, in the parking garage under the STA Plaza; and an outdoor street festival at Main and Post with live performers, karaoke and artists’ demonstrations.

While en route from one performance to another, you can check out the many visual art demonstrations throughout downtown (see accompanying story for details).

Starting at 5 p.m., parking will be available for $2 in The Parkade, River Park Square and many Diamond Parking lots. A free trolley will run in a loop every 15 minutes along Howard between Fourth Avenue and Spokane Falls Boulevard, circling back on Riverside, to help people get around to the various venues.

To make your own First Night must-do list, check out the performance schedule starting on page D3. For more information, see www.firstnightspokane.org or call 252-5027.