First Night Boston

FIRST NIGHT 2012 HIGHLIGHTS

Mavis Staples at Symphony Hall

Legendary soul and gospel singer Mavis Staples has blazed a rhythm & blues trail while never relinquishing her gospel roots. Staple Singers’ “I’ll Take You There” and “Respect Yourself” rank among Rolling Stone's Top 500 Songs of All Time. Her collaborations and appearances with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Presidents Kennedy, Carter and Clinton, to Prince, Bob Dylan, and Jeff Tweedy rank among Mavis’ many career highlights. CLICK FOR DETAILS.

Suzanne Vega at New England Conservatory’s Jordan Hall

Bearing the stamp of a masterful storyteller who "observed the world with a clinically poetic eye," Suzanne’s songs have always tended to focus on city life, ordinary people and real world subjects. Often cerebral but also streetwise, her lyrics invite multiple interpretations. Suzanne Vega’s work is as distinct and thoughtful now, as it was when her voice was first heard on the radio over 20 years ago. CLICK FOR DETAILS

Mike Daisey at the Huntington Theatre Company / Boston University Theatre

Master storyteller Mike Daisey weaves together a performance on the turning of the year: that bizarre annual ritual when we drink too much, resolve to change everything about ourselves, and have much less fun than we are certain we should be having. With incandescent wit and heart he explores our obsession with the future, skewering our assumptions all the way -- up to the brink of a brand new year. CLICK FOR DETAILS.

Julian Lage at Berklee Performance Center

Berklee alum and jazz guitarist Julian Lage has been performing since he was five, and has played with such artists as Carlos Santana, Pat Metheny and David Grisman. His 2009 debut release, Sounding Point, was nominated for a Grammy. His most recent release, Gladwell reflects Lage’s wide-ranging musical interests and talents, ranging from chamber music, American folk and bluegrass to Latin, world, string-band tradition and modern jazz. CLICK FOR DETAILS.

Midnight Fireworks on Boston Harbor

See the traditional First Night midnight fireworks on Boston Harbor. The spectacular show starts at 11:59 pm. Long Wharf provides a great vantage point. CLICK FOR DETAILS.

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About First Night

Thank you to all who came out to enjoy the First Night 2012 Festival on December 31st, 2011. You helped make this year's event the best ever! If you missed it, you can follow the Schedule link for more information about this year's featured performers. We are already looking ahead to First Night 2013, to be held on December 31st, 2012 -- watch this space throughout the year for details!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
- The First Night Team

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Twitter: @firstnight

RT @JuanitoPascual: Here is a video from New Year's Eve, the very fun First Night Boston show - 2nd set. http://t.co/tyn9P5Gh
(about 7 days ago)
@donthateonmex We can try to find out. Where were you assigned?
(about 7 days ago)
@NotifyBoston We get blamed for everything. Happy New Year!
(about 23 days ago)

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