First Night Montpelier 2012

 

PRESS RELEASE   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 24, 2011   FOR MORE INFORMATION: Diane Scolaro, Festival Coordinator at 802-371-9242 or Phayvanh Luekhamhan, Executive Director, Montpelier Alive at 802-223-9604   FIRST NIGHT MONTPELIER TO LIGHT UP CAPITOL CITY                 New Year’s Eve festival brings 90 hours of performances and activities   to 15 downtown locations   First Night buttons on sale online now for just $10   MONTPELIER— The dazzling disco ball will hang atop City Hall as hundreds of airborne lanterns fill the skies during Montpelier’s First Night on Saturday, December 31. Revelers of all ages will welcome in the New Year with performances and activities throughout the downtown. The purchase of a single button provides admission to 55 performances and activities throughout the Capitol City. For the first time, First Night Montpelier buttons are available online at www.MontpelierAlive.org. Until November 1, all buttons are just $10. Named one of the Top Ten Winter Events in Vermont, First Night Montpelier includes perennial favorites plus many exciting new artists and activities. Performances begin at noon with all-time favorite Marko the Magician and Hypnotist at City Hall Arts Center. Among the other returning artists are No Strings Marionettes, Willem Lange, Burr Morse, Starline Rhythm Boys, Karen Kevra, Tammy Fletcher, and the Vermont Philharmonic Orchestra. Newcomers include Michele Choiniere, Linda Warner & the Drumatics, Skellig and PuppeTree.   In addition to the performances in 10 downtown venues, a First Night button provides entry to the Vermont History Museum as well as free ice skating at the Central Vermont Civic Center, cross-country skiing at the Morse Farm Nordic Center, swimming at First in Fitness-Berlin and ZUMBA sessions at First in Fitness-Montpelier.   City Center will be transformed into First Night Center, which will host the International Food Court, face painting, volunteer check in, information desk and button sales. With plenty of seating, it is also a place to take a break and relax between events. The ReStore’s ever-popular hatmaking workshop will take place at the First Baptist Church, followed by a puppetmaking workshop with PuppeTree.   Montpelier artists Gowri Savoor and Angelo Arnold will host a one-day lantern making workshop at the TW Wood Gallery on Saturday, November 19 from 10AM to 3 PM. These magical willow and tissue paper lanterns can be carried in the Parade of Lights. All tools and materials will be provided and the workshop is free.   Last year First Night Montpelier launched a new tradition with the Parade of Lights Finale. Puppets, lanterns, drummers, dancers, torches, and fire spinners will make their way to City Hall Plaza where the Fire Organ and a crowd of revelers will celebrate under the shimmering disco ball. Ten-year old celebrity DJ Don P will provide the musical backdrop. At 9:30 PM, 500 paper lanterns will be lit and released into the night sky. Also known as Kongming Lanterns, they are constructed from oiled rice paper on a bamboo frame, and contain a tiny fuel cell. The lanterns are only airborne for as long as the flame stays lit, after which they float back to the ground. Weather permitting, the disco party will continue outside until 10:30 PM. In case of inclement weather, the dancing will be moved to City Hall Arts Center.   First Night™ Montpelier is presented by Montpelier Alive 39 Main Street, Montpelier, VT 05602 802-223-9604 www.MontpelierAlive.org     Presented by Montpelier Alive and underwritten by National Life Group, First Night Montpelier is sponsored by the City of Montpelier and nearly 100 local businesses.   BUTTONS ON SALE NOW: For the first time, First Night Montpelier buttons are available online at www.MontpelierAlive.org and until November 1, all buttons are just $10. Buttons purchased between November 1-December 15 are $15 for a single button and $12 for four or more. From December 16 through the day of the festival, a single button is $18 or $15 for four or more. Groups of 20 or more can purchase buttons for $10 each at any time, and children 3 and under are admitted free of charge. Buttons will be available in stores throughout Central Vermont beginning December 1. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: More than 200 volunteers are needed for button sales, set-up, clean-up and office help. There are positions for individuals, couples and families. In exchange for working a two-hour shift, volunteers receive a button for admission to all events plus a meal ticket for the First Night Cantina. Contact Rebecca McCarty at 922-3452 for information. For more information on First Night Montpelier including a list of button locations and a complete schedule of events, visit   www.MontpelierAlive.org . -0-