First Night Raleigh

[mzteris]

Is anyone going to this?

[citizen snips]

1. What is it?

[Lex]

2. Here ya go, Mattman:

First Night Raleigh 2006

On December 31, 2005, First Night Raleigh 2006 will present over 75 performances and family-friendly interactive programs in 29 indoor and outdoor venues in downtown Raleigh. This year's program begins at 10:00 am at the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts' Meymandi Concert Hall with the North Carolina Symphony's open rehearsal for its Viennese and Celtic concert later that evening. First Night concludes with the Countdown to Midnight featuring acclaimed Salsa band Bio Ritmo, fireworks, and the Raleigh Acorn Drop from 10:30 pm to 12 midnight on the Lichtin Plaza in front of the Progress Energy Center.

The Children's Celebration is from 2:00 to 6:00 pm at the North Carolina Museums of History and Natural Sciences and Bicentennial Plaza. The People's Procession starts at 6:00 pm on the north side of the State Capitol Building.This year's Procession will feature the first appearance of Rhea, a larger-than-life puppet
created by Paperhand Puppet Intervention. Rhea will lead the Procession to the Lichtin Plaza at Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts for the Early Countdown. Rising country music star Jason Michael Carroll will perform on the
outdoor main stage from 6:00 to 7:00 pm and from 8:30 to 9:30 pm. The Early Countdown will feature fireworks and Raleigh Acorn Drop for families who wish to end their New Year's Eve early.

The Evening Program begins at 7:00 pm with performances by the African American Dance Ensemble at Exploris, bluesmen Mookie Brill and Bob Margolin at the Long View Center, Molasses Creek at the Museum of Natural Sciences, juggler
extraordinaire Mark Nizer at the Fletcher Opera Theatre, pop rocker Ravi at First Baptist Church on Salisbury Street, the "Praise" concert at First Baptist Church on Wilmington Street, new grass sensations Adrienne Young and Little Sadie at First Presbyterian Church, Transactors Comedy Lab at the Church of the Good Shepherd, and lots more.

Other Musical Performances throughout downtown Raleigh will include gospel, bluegrass, jazz, folk, blues, classical, international, and rock. Theatrical performances including comedy, storytelling, and variety acts complete the evening in venues all within walking distance of each other - or take the First Night Raleigh Tram!

Don't miss the Countdown to Midnight on the Lichtin Plaza in front of the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts where you'll see the final descent of Raleigh's giant acorn at Midnight.

http://www.raleighnow.com/cgi/events.cgi?prog=detail&eventnum=2324&cat1=110

[citizen snips]

3. Thanks Lex for the heads up.

But I think you can count me out for this one. I like celebrating the new year at home.