First glance at First Night 2010
Think you know everything there is to know about First Night? Think again
After eight years and a cumulative attendance of more than 100,000, can we assume that everyone knows everything they need to know about First Night Spokane? Of course not. See if you can learn something from the following questions and answers about First Night Spokane 2010:
What is First Night Spokane, in 15 words or less?
New Year’s Eve celebration.
25,000 people roaming multiple downtown locations.
Music, art and entertainment.
Why is it called First Night Spokane 2010? Doesn’t it take place in 2009?
Yes, most of it takes place in the waning hours of 2009. But it celebrates the arrival of 2010, culminating in the grand fireworks display in Riverfront Park at the stroke of midnight.
What’s different this year?
Spokane Falls Boulevard will be closed to regular vehicle traffic from Stevens Street to Post Street, freeing up blocks and blocks of pavement for a street dance, bonfires, ice-carving demonstrations and visual art demonstrations.
This open promenade will tie the western nucleus of First Night – River Park Square and the Masonic Center – to the eastern nucleus, the INB Performing Arts Center and the Spokane Convention Center, according to Executive Director Chris Martin.
More activities than ever will be held at the latter two locations, including a giant “Variety Show” (more on that below).
Isn’t the Spokane weather a problem?
Occasionally. Last year, streets were so snowbound the snowboard Rail Jam had to be canceled because of too much snow. Trucks couldn’t get in to set up the ramps.
However, most years Spokane’s winter weather has been no deterrent at all. Even if it’s below zero, it’s easy to duck inside and warm up with some hot jazz.
How has the parking situation changed this year?
The free shuttles will be operating out of a new free parking lot: the Riverpoint Campus (South Campus, yellow lot) at 412 E. Spokane Falls Blvd. Shuttles will run every 10 minutes on a loop route serving the main venues.
(In previous years, the shuttles operated out of the Spokane Arena parking lot, but those lots are otherwise engaged this year – a Gonzaga University basketball game will be at the Spokane Arena on New Year’s Eve.)
How do you gain admission to all of these events?
Buy a button for $12 ($15 day of the event) and you can breeze into any of the 200 performances. (See information box below for details.)
Are there any extras included with a button?
Quite a few. For instance, you can take a free ride on the Looff Carrousel from 7 to 11 p.m. You can go skating at the Ice Palace in Riverfront Park (skate rental is extra). The next day, New Year’s Day, you can get into the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. This is always one of the MAC’s liveliest days.
What is the Avista Kids Night Out?
That’s a First Night companion celebration, for kids and families. It takes place from 3 to 9 p.m. at the Spokane Convention Center and includes music, theater, magic, dance, crafts and plenty of fun activities.
Kids Night Out is a real bargain when you consider that children 10 and under don’t need a button when accompanied by a button-wearing adult. The event has been extended this year to 9 p.m. by popular demand.
What is the Masquerade Parade?
About 6:10 p.m., the children at Kids Night Out will parade down Spokane Falls Boulevard from the Convention Center to the Riverfront Park fountain wearing masks and costumes they made themselves. The procession will be led by the Spokane Marmot and many of the entertainers.
What is the “Variety Show”?
The INB stage will host a show featuring the “new vaudeville” act of Jack and Jeri Kalvan – a California couple whose act is described as “what happens when a comedian-juggler marries an acrobat-aerialist.” Other acts include the Hot Shot Tap Dancers from Portland, magician-comedian Louie Foxx from Seattle and the West African drum-dance group, Ashe.
Which First Night act has the most intriguing name?
Free Whisky. The full name is usually given as Free Whisky-The Band, just so nobody will get the wrong idea (First Night is alcohol-free). They perform what they call Celto-folk and pub rock.
Runner-up: Occam’s Razor, a retro blues band.
What if you want to dance?
First Night has numerous options:
•A street dance on Spokane Falls Boulevard, featuring DJ Ian Webber.
•The Masquerade Disco Ball at the Spokane Convention Center’s ballroom, featuring DJ Jeff Keen. A mask or costume is required for admittance, but mask-making materials will be supplied for those who don’t have one.
•Tuxedo Junction, playing Big Band music at the DoubleTree Hotel ballroom.
•Six Foot Swing, playing swing music at the Bank of America.
•Green Light Go and Lucid will rock the Masonic Center Auditorium.
Is it all just music, dance and art?
No. There’s also theater, improv comedy and literature readings. The 48 Hour Film Festival will run all evening in the Spokane City Council Chambers. This is a film competition sponsored by North by Northwest Productions, in which local filmmakers were given 48 hours to write, shoot and edit a short film. You can watch all of the finalists and vote on a favorite.
Will there be a Rail Jam this year?
Yes. The ski and snowboarding competition/ demonstration will take place near the Riverfront Park fountain from 7 to 11:30 p.m. If you want to enter the competition, there’s a $20 entry fee and practice begins at 5 p.m.
How will 2010 be ushered in?
With the Midnight Fireworks Finale at Riverfront Park. There will be no early-evening fireworks display, as in other years, but Martin promises that the midnight display will be more spectacular than ever. It’s sponsored by the Spokane Tribe of Indians.