1. family and parenting
2. children

Drawn Carriage Rides
First Night
VENUE MAP
®
Westport ~ Weston
PLAN OUT YOUR FUN HERE
TIME
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
3pm to 10pm
www.firstnightww.com
9:15-10pm
EVENT
MUSIC & DANCING
IN THE STREETS!
LOCATION
Jesup Green
8
WELCOME TO
OUR 21STYEAR!
All are invited! It is a true communal event, shared
and enjoyed with our family, friends, neighbors
and visitors.
We have brought back some of your favorites and
added some new entertainment, so peruse the
guide and use the First Night Planner to ensure
you see it all!
We have 7 hours of continuous entertainment; all
family friendly ending with a pyrotechnic display
at 10 pm that we promise will be amazing!
First Night 2015 would not be possible without
the dedicated and generous efforts of our
volunteers, donors, supporters and especially our
Board of Directors. All have given their time, their
enthusiasm and their support to present today’s
event. On behalf of everyone associated with First
Night, our warmest and best wishes for a safe,
happy and joyous New Year.
First Night Board Of Directors:
Barbara Pearson-Rac (President), Allen Bomes
(Treasurer), Suzanne Adams, Robert Hauck,
Frank Rac, Nancy Sherter, Johanna Rossi, and
George Underhill
BUTTON
GIVEAWAY
PROGRAM
BRINGS
FUN TO
100’S
BECAUSE OF THE
GENEROSITY OF SO
MANY PEOPLE,
INCLUDING
MERCHANTS,
ENTERTAINERS,
RESIDENTS,
FIRST NIGHT 2015
IS HAPPENING.
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WESTPORT, CT
JIM S. MARPE
FIRST SELECTMAN
Greetings and welcome to First Night Westport/
Weston 2015.
The Town of Westport is delighted to host this familyoriented New Year’s Eve celebration again this year.
This fun, safe and community-driven event has proven
to be one of the jewels in Westport’s crown. We are
excited to celebrate with you!
The many venues throughout town with activities for
both the young and “young at heart” provide a variety
of fun-filled experiences. For example, take a horse
and carriage ride along Main Street, gather around the
bonfire on Jesup Green, and view the fireworks display
in the evening. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate the
promise of a marvelous New Year with family, friends
and neighbors.
First Night would not be possible without the
hundreds of volunteers who contribute their time,
talent and efforts to make this celebration a joy for all.
We are extremely appreciative for their commitment
and dedication to First Night Westport/Weston.
On behalf of the Town of Westport, I wish you and
your family a very happy and healthy 2015. I sincerely
hope you have a memorable and safe evening
enjoying the delights of our town. Best wishes for a
Happy New Year.
GENERAL INFORMATION
In The Event of Any Emergency: Call 911 or
advise the Site Manager at your venue.
Weather: All indoor events take place as
Lost and Found: Items can be claimed at the
Westport Town Hall.
Food: Food is NOT available at most of the
venues but you can GRAB A BITE in the Saugatuck
Elementary School Cafeteria while listening
to some great music! While attending the
entertainment at Town Hall grab a cup of hot tea
in the Bigelow Tea Room in Town Hall.
Disabled Attendees: Most venues are
handicapped accessible.
Performance Times: There is no reserved seating
for performances, but we recommend that you
arrive on time and remain until the performance
is over. Our artists are scheduled for specific
performance times (unless otherwise specified on
the grid) and their performances should not be
disrupted by late arrivals and premature departures.
The Mid-Fairfield
Substance Abuse
Coalition (MFSAC),
a program of the
Human Services
Council (HSC), is a
proud sponsor of
First Night.
scheduled. Buttons are not refundable.
Free Buses: Run 4:15–9:15pm from Jesup Green
to the Saugatuck Elementary School.
First Night Westport/Weston Inc. Is
Licensed By ASCAP and BMI.
MFSAC and HSC are happy and proud
to continue to support First Night which
offers a safe, alcohol
free/substance free venue and activities
for teens, children and adults to
celebrate the New Year’s Eve.
MFSAC is focused on the prevention
and awareness of substance abuse and
works to bring resources to those who
need it most through a comprehensive
approach including education,
awareness, and community action.
Our mission is to bring recognition and
resources to address substance abuse
and its effects on Norwalk, Weston,
Wilton, and Westport communities
through collaborations, education
and awareness, and community
attentiveness. For more information, visit
www.hscct.org or call 203-849-1111.
THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS
Each year we solicit funds from donors that enable us
to give buttons to hundreds of underprivileged and
underserved children and their families so they
may be able to attend First Night.
We are pleased that this year, through the generosity of
Ann Sheffer and William Scheffler, Honda of Westport
and other donors, we have continued this program.
The Westport Department of Human Services has
identified the children in need. They will experience the
fun and joy of attending First Night 2015!
First Night Westport/Weston is grateful to all of our supporters who
contribute throughout the year or during the event to create Westport’s
night of nights – First Night 2015.
A special thanks to MiggsBurroughs, whose button design brings a smile to
everyone! He designed an extraordinary to button to commemorate our
21th year. Welcome and thanks to Karen Schiffres who has redesigned our
program guide which has made it more usable and a lot prettier!
First Night is a volunteer produced event. Our most heartfelt thanks to all of
our precious volunteers without whom First Night could not happen.
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FIRST NIGHT 2015 ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE
1
MAP
LOCATION
2
TOWN HALL
ROOM 201
& 201A
AUDITORIUM
THEATRE
DOWNSTAIRS
TD BANK
MAIN LOBBY
MUSIC &
DANCING
FACE
PAINTING
& CARICATURES
3PM
4PM
6 to 9
15
John Stevens
CARICATURES
TOWN HALL
LOBBY
30
45
5PM
5 to 6
Fashion
Show
15
30
45
6PM
15
30
45
7PM
15
30
45
5:30–
9:30
Bigelow
Tea
House
FREE TEA
TO WARM
YOU
YOUNG
DESIGNERS
& PROJECT
RUNWAY
FINALIST
6:00–
9:30
Fortune
Tellers
Palm
Readers
30
45
9PM
Two shows:
4:30–5:15
5:30–6:15
The
Little
Groove
INTERACTIVE
FUN
FOR OUR
CHILDREN
Psychics
Tarot
Card
Readers
($10 FOR
10 MIN.,
$1 EACH
MINUTE
AFTER
THAT)
Comedy
Hypnosis
Show
FOR THE
YOUNG AT
HEART OF
ALL AGES
DOWNTOWN
OUTSIDE
OLD YMCA
BEDFORD
BUILDING
COMEDY
PLAYS
COMEDY
PLAYS
5
6
JESUP
GREEN
TOQUET
HALL
HISTORICAL
SOCIETY
TEEN
CENTER
ANIMAL
CARICATURES
4 to 10
Star
Gazing
4 to 9
STARLIGHT
STARBRIGHT
FIRST STAR
I SEE
TONIGHT
Allegra
Farms
4:30-6:45
Face
Painting
Horse
Drawn
Carriage
Rides
JOY RIDES
FOR
EVERYONE
OUTSIDE
OLD YMCA
BEDFORD
BUILDJNG
7 to 9
7:15–7:45
8:15–8:45
4
Pat
Mason
AMAZING
FACE ART
(FOR $3)
6:30–7:30
8:30–9:30
Jim
Spinnato’s
OLD
YMCA
4 to 7
Two shows:
8PM
15
Westport
Community
Theatre
presents
irreverent,
off the wall
comedy
plays
“SMOKE
SCENES &
I CAN’T
THINK OF
IT RIGHT
NOW”
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Al
Brozek:
Family
Square
Dance
SPIN YOUR
PARTNER
ENJOY THE
TOASTY
OUTDOOR
WARMING
FIRE NEAR
THE
LIBRARY AT
JESUP
GREEN
6 to 8
SOPHISTICATED
SOUND
OF BLUES
PIANIST
7:45–9:45
School
of Rock
FOR OUR
TEENS
HOUSE
BAND
FROM
SCHOOL OF
ROCK /
FAIRFIELD
9:00–9:30
COMEDY
PLAYS
15
Mark
Naftalin
VIEW THE
HEAVENS
THROUGH
SEVERAL
LARGE
TELESCOPES
NEAR THE
LIBRARY AT
JESUP
GREEN
30
CAFETERIA
AUDITORIUM
Two shows:
4:15–5:00
5:15-6:00
Two shows:
4:30–5:15
5:30–6:15
Vanessa
Trien &
The
Jumping
Monkeys
Jonathan
Geffner
Ventriloquist
and his
Dummies
FOR OUR
CHILDREN
6 to 10
Outdoor
Warming
Fire
SAUGATUCK
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
7
PUPPETS
AND FUN
6:15–8:15
Washboard
Slims
& the
Bluelights
21
Century
Jug Band
FOOT
TAPPING
FUN
Two shows:
6:30–7:15
7:30-8:15
Magic
Genie
8
9
LIBRARY
GYM
GREAT
HALL &
McMANUS
ROOM
4:00-8:30
GREAT
HALL
3:00–4:30
Inflatable
Park
FOR OUR
CHILDREN
Linda Peck
thrills
children as
SEASBURY
SANCTUARY
BRANSON
HALL
4:30–
6:30
First
Night
Cupcake
Party
9:15
to
10pm
D
A
N
C
E
The
Groove
Trio
SOPHISTICATED
SOUND
OF JAZZ
FIRST 100
PEOPLE
DECORATE
CUPCAKES
Two shows:
5:45–6:30
6:45–7:30
Good
News
Gospel
Choir
Mary
Poppins
FOR OUR
CHILDREN
8:00–8:45
9:00–9:45
Face
Painting
AMAZING
FACE ART
(FOR $3)
5 to 8
Chris
Coogan
Mike
Valentine
Tim
Currie
and
Motown
Band
DANCING
FUN
FOOT
TAPPING
FUN
CARICATURES
OUTSIDE
AUDITORIUM
45
5PM
15
30
45
6PM
15
30
45
7PM
7:30–9:30
Two shows:
15
in
FOOT
TAPPING
FUN
MAGICIAN
4PM
30
4:30–6:00
ST
5 to 8
MUSIC
and
DANCING
AT
Jessup
Green
3PM
Survivors
Swing
Band
with
My Cupcake
Party
5:00–8:00
CHRIST & HOLY
TRINITY CHURCH
S
T
R
E
E
T
S
15
30
45
8PM
15
30
45
9PM
15
30
45
9:15
to
10pm
10PM
45
10PM
MUSIC Fun for all ages, but if you want some guidance:
For Our Children
Foot Tapping Fun
For Our Teens
Sophisticated Sound
For The Young At Heart (All Ages)
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WARM UP
(Tea Indoors,
Outdoor Fire,
Cupcake
Decorating)
HORSE
DRAWN
CARRIAGE
RIDE
(Meet outside
of old YMCA
Bedford Building)
STAR
GAZING
(View stars
through a
telescope)
FACE PAINTING
& CARICATURIST
FOR OUR
CHILDREN
(Music,
Mary Poppins,
Inflatable Park)
FOR THE
YOUNG
AT HEART
(ALL AGES)
(Ventriloquist,
Magician, Comedy
Hypnosis Show)
DANCING
(Square Dancing
or Motown)
WESTPORT
COMMUNITY
THEATRE
FASHION
SHOW
5
PERFORMER INFORMATION
MAP
PERFORMER INFORMATION
MAP
1
TOWN HALL
7
LOBBY
AUDITORIUM
GYM
CAFETERIA (CONTINUED)
John is an extraordinary artist who is joining First Night to create
fabulous caricatures for our attendees.
The New England Fashion & Design Association, under the
direction of Irina Simenova, professor at the Parsons School of
Design will be presenting an exciting show featuring young local
designers (age 10-18 years old). Also included will be a finalist
from Project Runway! Another First Night first!
A room full of inflatables for children to play and jump around
while parents take a “breather.” No one with face painting will be
permitted into the park, so please enjoy the fun before you enjoy
the entertainment in the cafeteria while getting your face painted
or grabbing a bite to eat.
Jim’s Spinnato’s Comedy Hypnosis Show
Times: 6:30–7:30pm & 8:30–9:30pm
Linda Peck as Mary Poppins
5:00–8:00pm
For an additional $3.00 you can literally be transformed.
Amazing Face Art is truly amazing and kids and adults will be
thrilled by their artistic creations. Amazing Face Art provides face
and body painting, airbrush art, for any event in Connecticut
and surrounding areas. It’s your children’s skin!! They only use
the safest and highest quality face paints in the market. They are
hypoallergenic, non toxic and FDA approved. Easily washes off
with soap and water.
John Stevens, Caricatoonist
Time: 6–9pm
Inflatable Park
4:00–8:30pm
Fun and Fantastic Fashion Show
Time: 5:00–6:00pm
ROOM 201 & 201A
Bigelow Tea House of the New Year Moon with
Fortune Tellers, Palm Readers,
Psychics, and Tarot Card Readers
Tea Time: 5:30–9:30pm & 6–9:30pm for rest
Wondering about the future? Worried about the present? Want
some clues? Warm up with a cup of tea and have our experienced
group read and interpret your palm, fortune or how your stars
align. There is a $10 charge for 10 minutes and $1 for every
additional minute. Website: www.ctpsychics.com
LOWER AUDITORIUM
Westport Community Theatre
Times: 7:15–7:45pm, 8:15–8:45pm & 9–9:30pm
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CAFETERIA
Vanessa Trien & The Jumping Monkeys
4:15–5:00pm & 5:15–6:00pm
Boston-based singer-songwriter and children’s performer, Vanessa
Trien, has become a local rock star among the young and young
at heart. The “Nessa Groupies” sing and dance in the aisles at
her packed shows with her lively band, the Jumping Monkeys,
and can’t get enough of her three award-winning children’s CDs,
including ‘Carnival Day’, ‘Hot Air Balloon’ and her latest release
‘Bubble Ride’.
TD BANK
MAIN LOBBY
Pat Mason, Animal Caricaturist
4–7pm
The Little Groove
4:30–5:15pm & 5:30–6:15pm
Little Groove, an interactive music experience for children 7 and
under, let’s children have fun using real instruments such as
drums, shakers, and tambourines. They also interact with puppets,
bubbles, balls, pom pons, and parachutes! Children enjoy being a
part of the musical experience, using their bodies & voices to sing
along to catchy songs.
Face Painting, 4:30–6:45pm, Amazing face art (for $3)
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Popular artist, Pat Mason creates animal caricatures for all
First Nighters.
Washboard Slim and The Bluelights
6:15–8:15pm
Al Brozek – Family Square Dance
7–9pm
Washboard Slim and the Blue Lights are bringing jug band music
into the 21st century. The music the Bluelights perform is at
the very root of traditional American popular music. A typical
Bluelights performance might include original music, early jazz,
blues, swing, standards, jug band, gospel, pop music from the turn
of the century and roots rock’n’roll.
Al Brozek is a veteran square dance caller who has guest called
for square dance clubs throughout New England, New York and
New Jersey. Be prepared to spin your partner around the floor,
dance up a storm and have some fun with your family!
OUTSIDE OLD YMCA BEDFORD BUILDING
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OUTSIDE
Allegra Farms 4–9pm — Horse drawn carriage rides
4
JESUP GREEN– OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
OUTDOOR WARMING FIRE
Enjoy the toasty outdoor warming fire near the Library
Join the all volunteer members of the Westport Astronomical
Society on the green for the very last views of Westport’s night
skies in 2014. WAS members will have several telescopes for
beautiful views of our first quarter Moon and the rest of the visible
heavens beginning at sunset (depending on the weather). Check
out the website www.was-ct.org
DANCING IN THE STREETS!
9:15–10pm
Music on Jesup Green for Dancing in the Streets!
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with the Westport Astronomical Society
4–10pm
TOQUET HALL– TEEN CENTER
School of Rock
7:45–9:45pm
School of Rock is the nation’s leading after-school music
program, focusing on performance-based rock music
education for kids age 7-18 and adults too! The school
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teaches guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, and vocals and aims to get
students rocking both on stage and in life. The House Band from
the School of Rock / Fairfield is a collection of the school’s most
hardworking and talented students from all over the
Fairfield area
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Mark Naftalin, 6–8 pm
Blues pianist Mark Naftalin, who was the original keyboardist in
the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, has recorded and concertized
with John Lee Hooker, Etta James, Percy Mayfield, Buddy Guy, Van
Morrison, and many other blues and rock greats.
AUDITORIUM
Jonathan Geffner, Ventriloquist
4:30–5:15pm & 5:30–6:15pm
Westport is eagerly anticipating the arrival of a gang of
“dummies” to help usher in the New Year. Assisted by renowned
ventriloquist Jonathan Geffner, these endearingly hilarious
puppets will perform their highly acclaimed show, “Puppet
Powermovie”. Don’t miss this side-splittingly funny show,
suitable for ages 3 through 103, as Jonathan’s masterful vocal
skills and hands bring his captivatingly wacky sidekicks to “life”.
Magic Genie
6:30–7:15pm & 7:30–8:15pm
Get ready for the thrill of your life. Here comes the Magic
Genie. He has traveled around the world and has developed
a presentation of magic that is astonishing, unbelievable and
incredible. And, he plans on teaching you how to do some
of it!!!
AUDITORIUM (OUTSIDE LOBBY)
Mike Valentine, Caricatures
5:00–8:00pm
Caricaturist Mike Valentine, will capture you with his funny but
flattering drawings. One drawing per family.
LIBRARY
GREAT HALL
McMANUS ROOM
Survivors Swing Band, 3:00–4:30pm
First Night Cupcake Party, 4:30–6:30pm
(supplied by My Cupcake Party)
Remember when you listened, sang, and danced to the great
old tunes of the 1920’s through 1940’s? Has it been awhile? Let
the Survivors Swing Band revive those memories for you and get
your toes a-tappin’ and fingers snappin’ in the process! Do you
want to dance, too? Get up and go for it!
OUTDOOR STAR GAZING
6–10pm
Amazing Face Art
5:00–8:00pm
Join Linda Peck as Mary Poppins in her magical mayhem of
whimsical illusions with a dose of zany psychology as she brings
you into her world, of a London street, complete with umbrellas
and hat magic hat rack. As Mary Poppins , Linda will touch the
funny bone and pathos in all of us as she reminds us , “ a spoon full
of sugar” is the medicine of life. Come and laugh and join her in
her enchantments.
What does he serve-up that’s so special? Side-splitting comedy
and full-on, fascinating hypnosis for a stage show that keeps the
audiences amused and bemused. It’s comic hypnotism at its best,
hilarious and always unique because the stars of the show are
actually you, your friends and your co-workers! Jim Spinnato takes
the lead, but it’s the audience volunteers who provide the action
and the laughs! To some, Spinnato’s the medium. To most, he’s
the extra large!
A program of irreverent, off the wall comedy featuring the plays
“Smoke Scenes” and “I Can’t Think of It Right Now” by Nick
Zagone. The performance will also include other comic surprises.
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SAUGATUCK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
9
Come by and check out our cupcake decorating bar! Each
kid-at-heart will receive a cupcake kit complete with cupcake,
frosting and all of the ingredients, then create either an Olaf the
snowman or woodland critter cupcake! Instructors will be on
hand to guide and help you perfect your creation! Limited to the
first 100 attendees. Another First Night first!
CHRIST & HOLY TRINITY CHURCH
SEABURY CENTER
SANCTUARY
A group of veteran musicians, The Groove Trio performs a
variety of music with their jazz sensibility. The trio consists of
guitarist Gene Pino, bassist Phil Bowler and Joe Meo performing
on saxophone, clarinet, flute and vocals. Come and get your
groove on!
The Good News Gospel Choir is a 50-voice, multi-denominational
singing group founded by Chris Coogan that performs nearly
every weekend at churches, festivals, fundraisers and various
community events throughout the state of Connecticut.
Chris Coogan
8:00–8:45 & 9:00–9:45pm
Tim Currie and His Motown Band
7:30–9:30pm
The Groove Trip
4:00–6:30pm
Chris Coogan returns to First Night. Always a favorite, Chris
plays jazz and standards and your requests, weaving it all into a
seamless, joyful tapestry.
Good News Gospel Choir
5:45–6:30pm & 6:45–7:30pm
BRANSON HALL
Local Motown Band has generated quite a following in Lower
Fairfield County. Many of their performances are for local charities, using their music to give back. Their music is sure to get you
up on the dance floor for an evening of fun!
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