First Night Monterey – New Year’s Eve Dec 31, 2013

2014FamilyPk

First Night Monterey is
the place to be on December 31st.

This family-friendly, alcohol-free New Year’s celebration takes place at over 25 performance sites downtown (most venues are indoors).

This year’s theme is “SEACHANGES” and Alvarado Street will be illuminated in colorful lights as more than 200 artists join to “dance, act, play, perform, create, and sing our way into 2014!”

THE FIRST ACT for the Young & Young-at-Heart!

After the opening ceremony at on Colton Lawn and Pacific Street at 3 pm, Kids Night Out! Kicks off with music, songs, drumming, dance, ballet, folk dancing in traditional costumes, face art, balloon magic, art creating, hat making and more!

At 5:30 pm, all are welcome to join the Twilight Procession down Alvarado Street from Portola Plaza to Pearl Street with stilt walkers, dancers, marchers, giant puppets, and parade floats. Sign-up your group!

THE SECOND ACT: THE MAIN EVENT!

  Blues to Rock to Country, Hip-Hop to Folk! FNM 2014 will have a complete line-up, delighting the entire family.

  World dance in the street! International costumed dancers, including Chinese Lion dancers will be on the streets. Dancing to the sounds of oldies, rock-n-roll, the tropical beats and West African sounds.

  Monterey Center for Spiritual Living: This beautiful Sanctuary resounds with mellow sounds, beautiful voices and great arrangements; choral, classical and cool jazz throughout the night!

  Monterey Conference Center: Three floors of music, art and community! Learn to dance, dance to the sounds of live bands, rap, make a rhythmic beat from reclaimed items at the Junk Jam. Celtic, Folk, Flamenco, Dance, Marimba are just a few of the sounds heard.

  Golden State Theatre: Savor the sounds more live entertainment, from Folk to Blues, all the way to the New Year! 2014 performing artists.

GRAND FINALE – THE COUNTDOWN TO 2014!

 The Grand Finale! Our 2014 headliners are two renowned local bands that will bring us into the New Year; Mike Beck and the Bohemian Saints with their Americana/Country music style, and Chris Cain with his original sound of jazz-inspired blues! Both events feature a countdown to the New Year!

Buy Buttons for FNM2014

 Buttons are $15 (age 6-15) and $22 (16 and up). Children 5 and under are free.

#newyearseve #monterey #2014 #newyear

New Year’s Eve in Monterey

New Year's Eve in MontereyIt takes place on the “last” night of the year, but trust us: First Night Monterey is the place to be on December 31st.

This family-friendly, alcohol-free New Year’s celebration takes place at over 25 performance sites downtown (most venues are indoors). This year’s theme is “A Fantasea,” and Alvarado Street will be illuminated in colorful blue and green “aquarium” lights as more than 200 artists join to “dance, act, play, perform, create, and sing our way into 2012!”

After the opening ceremony on Colton Lawn and Pacific Street at 3 pm, Kids Night Out! kicks off with face painting, henna tattoo artists, puppet art theater, folk music and a magic show.

At 5:30 pm, all are welcome to join the Twilight Procession down Alvarado Street from Portola Plaza to Pearl Street with stilt walkers, dancers, marchers, giant puppets, and parade floats.

“First Night” will feature over nine hours of entertainment – from classical to jazz, blues to rock, hip-hop to folk:

  • John “Broadway” Tucker (with an all-star cast of Bay Area musicians)
  • Blues at Eleven (eclectic mix of blues, rock, funk and jazz)
  • The Black Irish Band (Irish, Scottish, Italian and American folk music)
  • First Night Rock Star (your chance to be a “virtual” rock star)
  • Greek Village Dancers (audience participation welcome!)
  • Grumbling Ginger (acoustic folk rock with a Celtic twist)
  • I Cantori di Carmel (choral music: classical to Broadway)
  • James Hurley (top-rated acoustic singer/songwriter)
  • Junkman Jam (infectious grooves performed on “junk” and recycled materials)
  • Kuzanga Marimba (music from Africa)
  • MC Lars (hip-hop artist)
  • Monterey Bay Lion Dance Team (high energy dance)
  • Park Avenue Studio of Belly Dance
  • Shinsho Mugen Daiko (Taiko drummers)
  • Sambahemians (Brazilian percussion)
  • Smoking Gun (rock ‘n roll)
  • Sophia Songhealer (uplifting vocals)
  • Thom and his Cats (Big Band: 40s, 50s and 60s)
  • Trio Amaha (Brazilian music)
  • The Wharf Rats (smooth rock)

Warning: “Art Attacks!”—spontaneous celebrations with drummers, dancers and stilt walkers—can occur anywhere, anytime!

Advance purchase buttons are $12 (age 6-15) and $20 (16 and up). Children 5 and under are free.