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

Fantastic finish

The last night of the year is again the time for First Night Spokane. So what’s it all about? Here’s a primer for First Nighters new and old alike.

Q.What, exactly, is First Night Spokane?

A.A vast, family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration held all over downtown.

Q.Does anybody go?

A.Well, yeah. Some 25,000 people jammed the streets last year. This year should be about the same.

Q.In 50 words or less: What’s the appeal?

A.For $12, you can roll downtown and wander from gospel choir to a glass-art demonstration to improv comedy show to juggling act to full professional symphony. And then watch fireworks. With 25,000 of your closest friends.

Q.How long has it been around?

A.This is First Night Spokane’s fifth anniversary. But the First Night idea began in Boston in 1976 and has been adopted by 200 cities around the world.

Q.Is there anything new this year?

A.The 48-Hour Film Festival will run continuously at the Spokane City Council Chambers. Fifteen local filmmakers had 48 hours, earlier this month, to create short films which incorporated (1) a bottle cap, (2) the line “Wow, velvet really is soft,” and (3) the theme “A World of Wonder.” The top eight, as judged by a panel, will be screened at First Night and winners announced at 11:30 p.m.

Q.Anything else new?

A.The District, an “adult area,” will be centered around CenterStage at 1017 W. First Ave. “Adult” doesn’t mean raunchy – it means that the entertainment will be edgier, including a belly dancer, a cabaret act starring Abbey Crawford and a variety show featuring, among other performers, drag queen Coco Marzipan.

Q.Is First Night still kid-friendly?

A.Overwhelmingly so. Kid’s Night Out, the pre-event which takes place in the afternoon, will be bigger and more varied than ever. And the vast majority of events at First Night proper are suitable for families.

Q.Can teens find anything to do?

A.The Eleventh Hour, an entire festival-within-a-festival, will take place all evening at the Spokane Convention Center. It’s aimed at teens and features bands such as Coretta Scott and 10 Minutes Down.

Q.Are there any notable new acts in First Night proper this year?

A.A comedy and juggling duo, Brothers From Different Mothers, should be a crowd favorite this year, according to executive director Chris Martin. They’re from Seattle and have been touring Europe. (Look for them at 9, 10 and 11 p.m. in the Ridpath Hotel’s Empire Room.)

Another act, Masque, features critically acclaimed performer Larry Hunt from Connecticut, formerly of Spokane, in a show incorporating a series of masks (8 p.m., Crescent Court).

Q.Anybody else?

A.First Night has contracted with about 200 performers and artists. You’ll get a list and schedule when you buy a button, but that information was printed in advance and several performers and venues have changed; for the latest updates, check out our schedule on pages D4 and D5 or www.firstnightspokane.org.

Q.What about the venues?

A.There are some 50 of them, centered roughly on River Park Square and spreading about five blocks in all directions.

Q.What’s the smartest way to do First Night?

A.Spend some time beforehand and plan out an itinerary. That way, you won’t find yourself standing in a downtown intersection, frozen with indecision. Or just frozen.

Q.What’s wrong with just improvising?

A.Nothing. You can try that, too.

Q.Can you get something to eat?

A.At least 15 downtown restaurants will be open late, many with First Night specials.

Q.Can you get something to drink?

A.First Night is alcohol-free. But nobody will stop you from slipping into any of numerous downtown nightspots for a libation.

Q.What’s this about fireworks?

A.This year, you can catch the pyrotechnics both early and late. The early fireworks will be at 6:15 p.m., as part of the Opening Ceremonies. The late fireworks will be part of the countdown to midnight and will begin about, well, midnight. Both will be at Riverfront Park.

Q.Why did the button price go up by $2?

A.Martin said that the prices had to go up in order to continue the policy of compensating every artist and performer. It’s the first price increase ever. Most of First Night is run by an army of 900 volunteers.

Q.How do we find out more?

A.Go to www.firstnight spokane.org.