Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 12/26/2023
NORTHAMPTON — A year after returning to an in-person format, one of the largest performance festivals in Massachusetts is poised to up the ante for its 39th year.
First Night Northampton, the 12-hour family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration spearheaded by the Northampton Arts Council and Greenfield Savings Bank, is expected to have 114 performances hosted at 23 venues across the city, according to Brian Foote, Northampton’s Arts and Culture director.
“We went bigger with more venues and artists, so I’m hoping for an even bigger turnout” he said.
After some scheduling conflicts last year, the Smith College venues — including Sage Hall, Theater 14 and the Hallie Flanagan Theatre — are all back in the fold at this year’s event. Meanwhile, the Click Space on 9½ Market St. and a new venue on 90 King St. join First Night for the first time to welcome performances throughout the afternoon on Dec. 31.
The day starts at noon with two performances of SHOW Circus Studio’s “Let There Be Light” followed by a slate of events beginning at 1 p.m. at multiple venues, including performances from Talking Hands Theatre, Henry the Juggler, the Tom Knight Musical Puppet Show and more. There will also be face painting and balloon painting from 1 to 5 p.m.
Per usual, the afternoon and evening are filled to the brim with musical performances from a slew of genres, from classical, to electronic, to hip hop and R&B. Acts like Barbie.Ai, Mal Devisa, Chris Goudreau and many others will helm the stage at multiple venues including the Parlor Room, 33 Hawley, Academy of Music and more.
The fireworks at 6:!5 p.m. will then signal the evening’s festivities, which includes a bevy of musical performances from the likes of Myles Jeh, Tracy Grammar and Peace & Rhythm illuminate the night.
It all leads up to the iconic raising of the ball at Hotel Northampton.
“First Night is always a great celebration to cap off a year to and really celebrate what Northampton offers for arts,” Foote said. “I love the idea that we have over a hundred artists celebrating all with the local community on New Year’s Eve. Forty years of ending the year celebrating local artists by hiring them to celebrate with the community is I think the best thing we can do every year.”
According to Foote, adults can pay $16 in advance for an all-day/all night pin, which allows attendees access to every venue. The pin costs $20 the day-of.
There is also an adult day-only pin for those who just want to come to the events during the day. Foote said those cost $10.
Foote also said that the Northampton Arts Council is participating in Mass. Cultural Council’s Card to Culture program, which means anyone who has social service identification can get a free button at Thornes Marketplace on New Year’s Eve.
“We try to keep it affordable and accessible to everybody who would like to come out and join us on New Year’s Eve,” Foote said.
As always, 100% of the proceeds support the local art community.
Readers can learn more about this year’s festival and how they can get pins by visiting the First Night website: https://www.firstnightnorthampton.org/.