first night celebrations

Subject: first night celebrations
From: open mike
Date: 30 Dec 02 - 01:13 PM

thanks for the info on the origins of watch night--
now can anyone share the history of First Night, and
do any of you havve festivities celebrating this
in your community?
It is just aBOUT THE LAST NIGHT OF THE YEAR.
HOPEFULLY THE FIRST ADN SUBSEQUENT NIGHTS WILL BE
FILLED WITH PEACE JOY WARMTH AND HEALTH FOR ALL
OF YOU.

Subject: RE: first night celebrations
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 30 Dec 02 - 02:46 PM

I seem to remember that the concept started in Boston, Mike. Stamford, Connecticut where I lived for many years started a first night several years after the first one, and modeled it after Boston's. The event was horrendously organized, unfortunately. They sold something like 10,000 buttons that admitted you to all the events going on, but at any one time there was space for only a cuple of thousand people. That meant that some people spent the whole night wandering from program to program, never once getting in. An enormous amount was spent on printing and publicity, and then they didn't have the money to pay the performers (me being one of them.) It was merciful when it died. Most people didn't miss it because they had such angry memories.

Done properly, and can be a great thing.

Jerry

Subject: RE: first night celebrations
From: *#1 PEASANT*
Date: 30 Dec 02 - 08:44 PM

first nights are a consipracy to remove alcohol consumption from the face of the globe.
That and nothing more!
Stay away from them.
Just go to some place which does not have such a celebration map out a good pub crawl, bring along a pack of food, extra drink, blankets and a few musical instruments and have a great traditional time without having to make, purchase, sell or wear any buttons other than the ones holding up your clothes.

Two years ago I was requested by the organizers of the first night in annapolis md. to run an artcar show as part of the event. Never have I met so many inept festival organizers. Bunch of uppidy upper crust patron of the arts wanna bees with exploytation as their ownly goal in life.
Stay away from the lot of them.....

If we support first nights the prohibitionists will gain power!

Conrad