First Night Danbury Marks 25th Anniversary New Year's Eve

DANBURY, Conn. -- First Night Danbury marks its 25th milestone anniversary on New Year's Eve, Wednesday, Dec. 31, from 5-9 p.m., by bringing back favorite past performers to ring in the new year throughout CityCenter.

The Coconuts will be performing.
Photo Credit: *Ted Killmer*

A button will get you into all of the entertainment for the night.
Photo Credit: *Ted Killmer*

Cirque de Light will light up the evening.
Photo Credit: *Ted Killmer*

Cassandra Huerta

12/26/2014 5:00 a.m.

First Night's theme this year is "Make New Friends, Keep the Old." The Auld Lang Syne maxim continues with "These are Silver, Those are Gold." Appropriately, First Night has invited the participation of favorite past First Night entertainments as it heralds in a new 25 years.

They include the Mad Hatters Barbershop Chorus and the New Hope Mass Choir (both first performed at First Night in 1989); internationally acclaimed flutist Sherry Winston; children's entertainer John Fogarty; singer-songwriters Bob Stanhope and Lara Herscovitch; the comedy musical trio The Coconuts; Boston's Funny Guy, Robert Clarke; Off Broadway's Monday night magician, Peter Samelson; the ice sculptures of Ice Matters; and CityCenter's unofficial "ambassador" of goodwill, Magic Marty. Light and LED, high atop the Patriot Garage, will close out the evening as participants count down to the new year. The spectacular finale, beginning at 8:30 p.m., will feature performances by Fractal Phenomenon and Boston-based Cirque de Light and, as tradition calls for, hot cider and cookies courtesy of The Danbury Parking Authority.

If you want to get an early start, First Night will hold a special 25th-anniversary ribbon-cutting ceremony from 4:15-5 p.m. at St. James Church. Mayor Mark Boughton will make a proclamation; The Silvertones, a group of 62- to 95-year-old hipsters will sing; Mrs. Connecticut U.S.A Universal 2015, Susan Bawlick Pagan, will add a touch of glam"; and a carillon concert will kick off First Night's four hours of diverse and celebratory entertainment. Host venues, all within walking distance, include the Danbury Ice Arena, Danbury Public Library, Danbury Music Centre, Palace Danbury, St. James Church, Heirloom Arts Theatre and the Danbury Innovation Center.

First Night Danbury is sponsored by Family & Children's Aid, All About Kids Pediatric Dentistry, Union Savings Bank, Ventura, Ribeiro & Smith, Danbury Parking Authority, Danbury Cultural Commission and the city of Danbury. Their contributions allow CityCenter to make First Night Danbury affordable and fun. Buttons, which get you into all entertainments, cost $10. They can be purchased at CityCenter, 186 Main St.; select branches of Union Savings Bank and the Savings Bank of Danbury; Danbury Public Library; the Patriot Garage; The Sweet Spot in New Milford; and Byrds Books in Bethel.

For more information, call CityCenter Danbury at 203-792-1711 or visit facebook.com/firstnightdanbury.

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