New Year’s Eve is a day to reminisce on the year past and ring in the new. Once again, New Year’s Eve in Haddonfield will be filled with music, magic, comedy and fireworks for its annual celebration, First Night.
Organizers of this year’s First Night celebration of the arts in Haddonfield promise a fun-filled evening of world-class entertainment for adults, families and children alike. For $15, residents and visitors can experience a fulfilled night with more than 30 performances from 5 p.m. to midnight on Dec. 31 at 15 indoor venues along the Kings Highway “spine” from Haddonfield Memorial High School to beyond the PATCO speedline.
“People should come out to start off celebrating the new year in a positive way. Go out and be a part of the performing arts … It’s a nonalcoholic, exciting place to be on New Year’s Eve,” Entertainment Director Jane Mathers, of Jane Mathers Management, said.
The first First Night was held in Boston on Dec. 31, 1975. It was organized by a small group of artists who sought an alternative way of celebrating New Year’s Eve, where artists and musicians could perform and the emphasis wasn’t on alcohol. Haddonfield’s First Night, modeled after Boston’s, started in 1998 and has been held ever since.
“The purpose of First Night is to offer to the community what we think is first-class entertainment at an affordable price for all of the kids, families and residents to enjoy and bring performing and visual arts to the community,” Mathers said.
Headliners include Shawn Gerhard, with his “Ultimate Tribute to Garth Brooks;” the Grammy Award-winning Trammps of “Disco Inferno” fame; IONA, Celtic music and dance; Michel Lauziere of “Master of the Unusual” from Canada; and the Incredible Boris, an international hypnotist/comedian. Tribute performers include singer-songwriter Bob Halligan Jr., portraying Paul McCartney in a one-man Beatlemania-type show he calls “Paul the Beatle;” and Diamond Reno, with a tribute to Neil Diamond. A spectacular 15-minute fireworks display will follow the countdown to 9 p.m., known as “mini-midnight,” at the Town Clock.
Admission buttons are just $15 and may be purchased at a dozen outlets throughout Haddonfield, including the Information Center in Kings Court, and online.
The evening will get started, appropriately, with music and magic for the youngest revelers. At Haddonfield Middle School, KidZone will feature the Paisley Pickles, a popular local group, supported by magician Brian Richards, a perennial kid favorite, and Doc Swan. Designed to appeal to children to age 9, KidZone will swing into action at 6 p.m. and end at 8:30 p.m., giving families ample time to get to Kings Highway for the countdown and fireworks. One block down the street, the Markeim Art Center will offer crafts for kids from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
In addition to the headliners and the KidZone entertainers, featured performers include blues and jazz singer Demetria Bailey; noted classical guitarist Benjamin Beirs; a cello quartet; close-harmony, Andrews Sisters-style trio, Hotsy Totsy; John Denver-style singer-songwriter Christopher Westfall; and Haddonfield Plays and Players presenting Broadway favorites.
Musical groups located strategically around the town will include Blu is Me at the Masonic Temple; IBEG, a teen band, in Kings Court; Quartet 33 at the Markeim Arts Center; and the NJ Sea Dogs at the Indian King Tavern Museum.
“There is a countdown stage, fireworks and so much more wonderful entertainment for all to enjoy. I encourage people to go on the website to see what they want to pick and choose to see,” Mathers said.
For full details, visit FirstNightHaddonfield.org. Also, be sure to check Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for news and updates on First Night Haddonfield.
