| Battle
of the Bands |
It’s
back! The second First Night Scranton Battle of the Bands will
feature the best of the best local high school and college
bands! And the best part of all: YOU vote for your favorite!
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| BINGO
for Seniors! |
Especially
for Seniors! All seniors are invited to ring in the New Year
with a resounding "Bingo!" Play your favorite game
from 5-8 p.m.
|
| Bill
Frye’s Sing-A-Long |
All First Night revelers are invited to sing-a-long with
strolling musician Bill Frye. For more than 40 years, Bill
Frye and his guitar have been entertaining audiences of all
ages with a wealth of popular songs!
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| The
Brain Show |
 Be
a part of the fun that is taking the country by storm! The
Brain Show is an interactive trivia game offering all the
authentic fun and excitement of a real live TV game show
including colorful podiums featuring computerized lights and
sounds.
|
| Brenda
Fernandes |
Brenda
Fernandes is an up-and-coming keyboardist and vocalist playing
all original music.
|
| Brent
Kessler Mind Tease |
 Mind
Tease, Brent Kessler’s over-the-edge stage show, has
acclaimed great reviews from hundreds of people across the
country. This unique show is an amazing hands-on production
that is structured on audience interaction. Brent performs
some of his signature effects, such as reading random thoughts
from people he's never met, eating razor blades, and the
famous “lemon trick” that you have to see to believe. Mind
Tease is a fantastic ride of serious mind-reading, hilarious
“laugh out loud” comedy, and unbelievable illusions!
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| Caricatures
by John O’Connell & Co. |
Wilkes-Barre
caricature artist John O’Connell will draw portraits as a
keepsake for First Night guests. O’Connell graduated from
the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and has worked as a freelance
illustrator for local and national companies. In addition, he
has taught illustration, cartooning, animation and computer
graphics at his art school “Creative Force Art Academy”
for the past 10 years.
|
| Caricatures
by Mugs & Magic |
 Angie
Jordan has been an international artist who has been
“facing” people since 1988 and has appeared in multiple
publications. She is constantly the hit of the party as people
are mesmerized just watching her hands in action. Let’s
“face” it…this caricature artist can draw a crowd!
|
| Child
Identification Program (CHIP) –
Pennsylvania Freemasons |
We
once again welcome the Pennsylvania Freemasons to First Night.
The Freemasons are the oldest and largest fraternity in the
world, working to make the public aware of children reported
missing each year. The Child Identification Program
(CHIP) develops identification materials for your
children, including a picture of your child with an audio,
fingerprints, and a DNA kit that is provided for parents or
guardian to complete at home. All of this is provided to
parents and guardians free of charge!
|
| Children’s
Games |
Be
sure to join the gang from the Children's Library to sing,
dance and be merry with such favorites as the limbo, piñatas,
and many more surprises!
|
| Chris
Barnes Improv Comedy Dojo |
Welcome
to the Comedy Dojo…where actors and improvisers come to
train for work in television, film and the theatrical stage!
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| Classical
Guitar by Jay Steveskey |
Classical
guitarist Jay Steveskey has become a regular performer in the
Scranton area. His repertoire ranges from standard classical
to Latin American, Spanish, and Fingerstyle Jazz arrangements.
Jay is founder and president of the NEPA Classical Guitar
Society, and has studied with some of the finest teachers in
the Northeast.
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| Classical
Guitar by Frank Galante |
Classical guitarist Frank Galante draws his repertoire from a
period spanning more than 400 years, including works from the
masters of the Spanish Renaissance, Bach, and other great
baroque composers.
|
| Coleman
Smith Bluegrass Band |
Tap
your toes to the best bluegrass in NEPA! Coleman Smith
Bluegrass Band features guitar, bass, drums and the
unmistakable sounds of the mandolin.
|
| Damian
the Magician |
 Theatrical
magic…created especially for a Magical First Night Scranton
2008. Don’t
miss Pennsylvania’s foremost magical entertainer. His magic
explodes with originality, humor, and style that misdirects
his audience to the point where distinction between reality
and illusion are impossible.
|
| Ekumen
Chorale |
Acapella
chorale performing music of Eastern Europe, including the
music of Bulgarian, Russian, and Ukranian composers in the
original language.
|
| First
Night 2008 Essay Contest |
Students
in grades 3-5 throughout Scranton were asked to write an essay
about why they want to spend First Night in Downtown Scranton.
Be sure to stop by the Scranton Cultural Center Lobby to see
these unique and creative essays on display!
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| Frank
LittleBear |
Frank
LittleBear, of the Cree Nation, demonstrates Native American
music and dance through a unique interactive performance. The
audience will learn about the music, dance, and culture of
many Indigenous nations.
|
| Gene
Dempsey Orchestra |
Big
band fun and all the danceable favorites from this 20-piece
orchestra!
|
| George
Wesley Band |
Positive, danceable, world music for all ages!
While many brand George Wesley with a reggae label (and
rightfully so), George’s music is so much more. Touches of
jazz, blues, funk & rock blend seamlessly throughout his
music while keeping his positive and uplifting message intact.
|
| Groove
Train |
Groove
Train is a five-piece high-energy dance band that plays a
variety of music from the 50s through the 90s. Groove Train is
quickly becoming on of NEPA’s most sought after bands! Catch
them as they kick off First Night Scranton 2008 on the Main
Stage.
|
| Happy
Faces Face Painting & Spin Art |
 Face
painting for the young…and young at heart! Happy Faces will
transform First Night visitors into snarling tigers or cute
bunnies…pretty butterflies or intergalactic aliens! Whatever
your imagination can dream up, Happy Faces can create it. And
NEW THIS YEAR…both kids and adults can create their very own
Spin Art project to commemorate their visit to First Night
Scranton 2008!
|
| Heart
to Art |
All
kids and families are invited to show your creative side! Bee
a part of a unique community art project that will represent
the people of Scranton for years to come!
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| Jim
Cullen Band |
Jim
Cullen is a local singer, songwriter, guitarist, producer and
theatrical & events coordinator who has been a music
professional for more than three decades. This veteran
entertainer and composer of a vast catalogue of original music
has performed on stages throughout the United States. A
musician/artist/manager/teacher with a wealth of performing,
recording, production, coordination and teaching experience,
Jim Cullen offers an imaginative and creative experience you
won’t want to miss!
|
| Juggler
Rob Smith |
Clarks
Green’s own Robert Smith has been juggling since he was a
teenager and entertaining audiences since his college days.
Nothing is off-limits for this juggler, including fire, razor
blades, and bowling pins!
|
| Kofi
& Sankofa African Drum & Dance |
 Kofi
& Sankofa African Drum & Dance will present rhythms
and dances from ethnic West African cultures that promote
community building and togetherness that involves the audience
in songs, history and stories. Be a part of this
unique, internationally-known and award-winning African Drum
& Dance Workshop.
|
| Magician
Scott Sullivan |
You
won’t believe your eyes! Strolling Magician Scott Sullivan
will provide an unforgettable
evening with unique, interactive magic throughout First Night.
|
| Marko
Marcinko Latin Jazz Septet |
Dance the hottest latin moves to the sounds of this unique
ensemble led by renowned musician Marko Marcinko.
|
| Master
Hypnotist Michael Blaine |
Michael
Blaine is a wonderfully dynamic Stage Hypnotist. He has
hypnotized countless people all throughout the country.  You
will be amazed and delighted as you see volunteers allow
themselves to go under his amazing control. It
is not uncommon to see your friends and family become Elvis,
The Rockettes, or even Miss America, and the list goes on and
on...His
captivating shows will leave you begging for more as his
subjects' minds are given a license to perform. Come and see
for yourself the magic of the mind!
|
| Montana
Brothers Amusement Rides |
Returning
for another fun-filled evening at First Night, Montana
Brothers Amusements provide clean, safe, amusement rides for
the whole family. Be sure to see the spectacular view of
Scranton from atop the ferris wheel!
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| Music
for Models |
Rock
in the new year as this ultra-popular band plays the main
stage into 2008!
|
| People’s
Procession of Self Expression |
We're
having a parade and you're invited! Be sure to bring your
noisemakers as join us in a procession through Downtown
Scranton. Line-up is at 7:30 p.m. at Elm Park United Methodist
Church, and the procession starts at 7:45 p.m. sharp! This
parade is open to the public, and will proceed from Elm Park
to Courthouse Square, led by the winner of the First Night
2008 Essay Contest, who will complete the parade with a
reading of his or her essay!
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| Renaissance
Man |
 You,
the audience, are the true stars in these interactive
performances filled with mirth and merriment. The Renaissance
Man provides a unique blend of interactive historical comedy,
including comic versions of Poe, Dickens, Greek Mythology, and
the works & times of Shakespeare. This show makes history
and literature more accessible to groups of all ages!
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| Resolution
Wall |
A
favorite at last year’s event…First Night marks the end of
one year and the beginning of another. Make your New Year's
resolution with thousands of other Scrantonians on our
Resolution Wall, created by the Neil Armstrong Elementary
School Art Masters Program.
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| SIORA |
 The
world jazz ensemble SIORA plays a blend of music from
Brazil/Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and the U.S.,
all with their own unique arrangements, plus some provocative
original compositions. SIORA features multi-lingual singing
and fiery dancing!
SIORA
has been enthusiastically received by live audiences at
premier jazz venues and festivals throughout the U.S. and in
their hometown of Philadelphia.
|
| Storyteller
Chris Arcangelo |
Stories
spun into sparking threads of enchanted and magical drama! Chris
Arcangelo is an extraordinary storyteller who has brought
storybooks to life for the past 25 years. Her story telling is
pure magic. Children and adults alike will be immediately
“captured,” transformed and involved in delightful,
exciting adventures! A First Night favorite…
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| Tom
Knight Puppets |
 Tom
Knight has been writing and performing for kids since 1988.
His Puppet show is a vibrant collection of original songs and
skits, each 3-5 minutes long, with variety enough to keep even
the very youngest children waiting to see what will happen
next. While Tom sings to pre-recorded music tracks, puppets
like Henry the Magician, the Little Elephant, Andy the
Recycling Guy, and Allie the Alligator act out the stories of
the songs. Besides the visual appeal, almost every segment has
a part for the audience, including hand motions, singing
along, or doing simple dance steps.
Some
of Tom s favorite themes are animals, food, environmental
science, and the importance of reading. With catchy melodies
and playful lyrics, the songs are easy to remember, fun to
sing, and often educational!
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| Top
Hats & Lace |
Take
a step back in time with Top Hats & Lace, a group of
vintage Victorian-era dancers. Their performance features
authentic 1830-1900 period dancing, music and elaborate
costumes!
|
| Trisha
O’Keefe |
She’s
not just another girl with a guitar...Trisha OKeefe is
something special. She is a true songsmith, who takes on her
lifes stories with a certain blend of whimsy and sadness,
fusing intelligent lyrics and irresistible melodies. Live, she
abandons the glitz of heavy production, making her acoustic
roots the foundation of her musical tapestry, and lets her
dynamic vocals do the talking. Commanding each performance
with a captivating nature, like that of a seasoned veteran,
she takes the stage with a graceful demeanor, and with guitar
in hand, invites the audience into a world of her most
intimate thoughts, a gift that might often elude a young woman
of 22. She holds you spellbound with a voice that is both
passionate and evocative, exposing her deepest pains and
greatest joys with an intensity that begs to be listened to.
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| Vince
Brust Dancers |
Mad hot ballroom! THE local dancing guru, Vince Brust has been
teaching more than 54,000 people how to dance for nearly 30
years! He has taught on 4 continents, in more than 35 states
of the United States, and even performed on the Oprah Winfrey
Show! Watch and learn the classic dance steps that are
sweeping the nation!
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