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First Night Knoxville, a New Year’s Eve celebration in downtown Knoxville, has announced a slate of entertainment that includes music, dance, theater, storytelling magic acts and even a swordfighting demonstration.

Thirteen venues or stages, both indoors and out, will be set up in downtown Dec. 31. Spots for entertainment will include the Tennessee Theatre, Market Square, the TVA Auditorium and the YWCA gymnasium.

Music for the evening includes performances of rockabillly, Americana, blues, jazz, Southern rock, folk and handbells.

Performers scheduled include Knoxville Americana and blues band The Bearded, Knoxville Klezmer band Tennessee Schmaltz, the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra and Knoxville band Todd Steed & the Suns of Sphere.

Other performers include North Carolina storyteller Mitch Capel, Franklin, Tenn., children’s musician Roger Day; Knoxville jazz artist Sarah Schwabe, the First Presbyterian Church of Knoxville Handbell Choir, cello player Georgia Sinko and the folk band Centralia Massacre.

Local theater groups performing during First Night include Actor’s Co-op, Children’s Theatre of Knoxville. Circle Modern Dance and the Tennessee Stage Company. Magician Michael Messing and Knoxville magician and clown Jeffrey Doan will perform. And “The Knightly Order of the Fiat Lux” will demonstrate sword fighting to send 2008 out and bring 2009 in.

For a complete list of the performers and entertainers, see www.firstnightknoxville.com.

The family-friendly celebration of the arts starts with a 3-7 p.m. Dec. 31 with a children’s festival at the East Tennessee History Center. That event includes an early fireworks show and special countdown to 2009 for children at 9 p.m.

Then, the evening entertainment kicks off at 7 p.m., continuing until the fireworks and a ball drop at Market Square at midnight.

While some of the First Night celebration is outdoors and is free, indoor venues do require admission. First Night buttons, which include admission to the indoor events, are $10 in advance and $15 if purchased Dec. 31.

First Night buttons are being sold at Pilot and Kroger locations, at downtown’s Mast General Store, Salon Visage, Vagabondia, Bliss, Abode, Rita’s Ice, Knoxville’s Holidays on Ice, the Knoxville Visitor’s Center. Tickets also are available at www.firstnightknoxville.com.

First Night celebrations began in Boston in 1976. Similar events are now held in 100 cities in 30 states.

First Night Knoxville is presented by the non-profit Market Square District Association.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel
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