Singer/songwriter and fiddle virtuoso Carrie Rodriguez.
Downtown Knoxville will again welcome the latest of new years with a range of music, comedy and performance that make up its annual First Night Knoxville.
Started by the Market Square District Association in 2007, this is the fifth year for the family-friendly, alcohol-free First Night Knoxville. A dozen venues from the East Tennessee History Center to the Square Room will host activities, concerts and entertainment.
Just before midnight, entertainment at the various locations will end so revelers can gather at Market Square to celebrate the start of 2012 with a countdown and fireworks.
First Night is patterned after similar New Year's Eve celebrations in other cities. Boston started its First Night in 1976; such events are now held in more than 100 cities in 30 states as well as in Canada and New Zealand. Last year around 10,000 people attended First Night Knoxville.
There's admission to the entertainment venues at First Night. Admission buttons are $15 in advance, $20 on Dec. 31. Advance buttons are on sale at Pilot locations, some businesses on Market Square and www.firstnightknoxville.com. Children under 6 are admitted free with a paying adult.
Most of the entertainment begins around 7 p.m. Dec. 31 but a festival for children starts at 3 p.m. at the East Tennessee History Center, 601 S. Gay St. Children's festival entertainers include musician Sean McCollough and Knoxville-based circus troupe One World Circus. There'll be face painting, art activities, puppets and balloon animals. Children get their own countdown to 2012 at 9 p.m. at Market Square.
This year's musical lineup ranges from jazz to Americana to Irish. There are circus-style performances and some comedy as well.
The evening music starts at 5 p.m. with the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra's Dixieland group at the Square Room.
Fiddler/singer/songwriter Carrie Rodriguez from Austin, Texas, performs with Knoxville's Cruz Contreras at 7:15 p.m. on an international-theme stage at the history center. Rodriguez is of Mexican-American descent; she and Contreras will play Mexican-inspired music. Rodriguez will also play with guitarist Luke Jacobs at 10:15 p.m. at the Square Room on Market Square. Also performing during the evening from the international stage will be African Drum Circle, Forbidden Fire Bellydance and Four Leaf Peat.
New this year is the Jam Stage at 2 Market Square. Three bands — the Knoxville-based Marina Orchestra, hip-hop inspired group The Theorizt and rock 'n' roll infused The Black Cadillacs — make First Night debuts.
Four female singer-songwriters perform at the YWCA, 420 W Clinch Ave., through the night. Knoxville singer Robinella begins the evening at 7:15 p.m. followed by Nashville singer/songwriter Louise Mosrie, Mississippi-raised and now Brooklyn-based songwriter Kelley McRae and then blues-inspired singer Rachel Pearl.
The Knoxville Visitor's Center, 301 S. Gay St., hosts the Bristol, Va.-based folk trio If Birds Could Fly, acoustic indie folk /pop trio Now You See Them and East Tennessee musician Matt Woods.
Dancer/choreographer and former Knoxville resident Mark Lamb presents excerpts from his New York production"A Boy and his Dolly" at 8:15 p.m. at the Miller's Atrium, 445 S. Gay St. The dance theater piece features Lamb's lifelong connection to superstar Dolly Parton whom he calls his "spiritual guide."
First Night isn't all music. An all-evening poetry slam will be curated by songwriter/emcee/slam poet Black Atticus at the Oliver Hotel, 407 Union Ave. Einstein Simplified is part of the comedy at the TVA Auditorium. Circus troupes and aerial acts perform inside the YWCA Gym.
Here's the lineup
Children’s Festival, East Tennessee History Center, 601 S. Gay St.
+ Crafts, activities 3-6:30 p.m.
+ Sean McCollough & Friends 3:30 & 5:30 p.m.
+ One World Circus 4:35 p.m.
Main at Square Room, 4 Market Square
+ Red Hot Dixieland Jazz Band, 5 p.m.
+ Carrie Rodriguez & Luke Jacobs, 10:15 p.m.
Echo at Miller’s Atrium, 445 S. Gay St.
+ Jodie Manross, 7:15 p.m.
+ Mark Lamb “A Boy and His Dolly,” 8:15 p.m.
+ Josiah Leming, 9:15 p.m.
+ Knoxville Early Music Project, 10:30 p.m.
International at East Tennessee History Center
+ Carrie Rodriguez & Cruz Contreras, 7:15 p.m.
+ African Drum Circle led by Oba African Drums, 8:15 p.m.
+ Forbidden Fire Bellydance, 9:15 p.m.
+ Four Leaf Peat, 10 p.m.
Y-Not Lounge at YWCA, 420 W Clinch Ave.
+ Robinella, 7;15 p.m.
+ Louise Mosrie, 8:25 p.m.
+ Kelley McRae, 9:35 p.m.
+ Rachel Pearl, 10:45 p.m.
Circus at YWCA Gym
+ Dragonfluy Aerial Arts Studio & One World Circus, 7:30 & 9:30 p.m.
+ Biz Cirque/Wing Project featuring Hudson K, 8:30 & 10:30 p.m.
Americana at Knoxville Visitor’s Center, 301 S. Gay St.
+ If Birds Could Fly, 7:15 p.m.
+ Now You See Them, 8;45 p.m.
+ Matt Woods, 10:15 p.m.
Laugh at TVA Auditorium
+ Erin Donovan “Duchess of Snort” & Friends, 7:15 & 9:15 p.m.
+ Einstein Simplified, 8 & 10 p.m.
Spoken Word at Oliver Hotel, 407 Union Ave.
+ Poetry Slam hosted by Black Atticus, 7:15-11:45 p.m.
Pick at Morelock Music, 411 S. Gay St.
+ Old Time & Americana Jam, 7:15-11:45 p.m.
Jam at 2 Market Square
+ Marina Orchestra, 7:15 p.m.
+ The Theorizt, 8:30 p.m.
+ Black Cadillacs, 10 p.m.
© 2011, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
Want to use this article? Click here for options!
- |
Comments » 0
Be the first to post a comment!
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.