Sample local arts at First Night

First Night Spokane returns for its fifth New Year’s Eve blow out.

If previous years offer any predictions, more than 25,000 folks of all ages will roam the streets of downtown Spokane beginning at 6 p.m. on Saturday when opening ceremonies kick off in Riverfront Park.

First Night is one great party for one reasonable price—$12 in advance, $14 Saturday night. Printed brochures with a map and schedule of activities and locations are available where buttons are sold.

Your First Night Button gets you in to see a wide variety of performing and visual arts activities in more than 50 locations.

“There’s so much going on,” says Karen Mobley, director of the arts commission, “it can be a bit overwhelming. But, it’s a great opportunity for people to take their kids to see a whole range of arts events in a very short time.”

The majority of the activities begin at 7 p.m., following the opening parade. The evening ends at 11:50 p.m. when the final choreographed fireworks take place in Riverfront Park.

While venues are spread across downtown, the three focal points are the STA Plaza, River Park Square and Riverfront Park.

This family-friendly event features musicians, jugglers, trained dogs and dancers. Music ranges from jazz, to fiddle, to reggae. There are special activities for children, teens and adults.

New this year is the “48-Hour Film Festival.” A series of short films were written, shot and produced by local teams during the first weekend in December. View the top eight films in the Spokane City Council Chambers.

Among the performing acts are the Bethel B.A.S.I.C. Gospel Choir with Elisha Mitchell; Dancing Duck Man and the comedy and juggling act Brothers from Different Mothers from Seattle.

Throughout the evening there will be dozens of art demonstrations including raku kiln firing in Riverfront Park, ice sculpture on Main Avenue, painting in River Park Square and glass fusing in the Spokane Transit Authority Plaza.

“It’s a great sampler of arts activities in Spokane,” says Mobley. “If people see something they want to know more about, they can stop by the Arts Information booth in the STA Plaza and learn more.”

On Sunday, New Year’s Day, your First Night Button will get you into the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture free between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.