Activity

Time

Venue

Sponsors

A Cast of Shadows

An interactive art installation by David Borawski and Anne Cubberly which includes video, photography and light. Come and leave your shadow at City Hall.

2:00 PM – 11:00 PM

Hartford City Hall - 2nd Floor

Sponsored by

Edward C. & Ann T. Roberts Foundation

City of Hartford

Greater Hartford Arts Council

Transformations Face Painting

Painted Face. Living Art.

At a Transformations event every face is a surprise -- every face is a unique work of art.

For adults, teens and children age 3 and up. Our safe, comfortable theater make-up washes off with soap and water.

Come and be transformed! Into animals, fantastic creatures and mask designs inspired by cultures from around the world. Every face is different, every face is creative, painted so quickly – in just 3 minutes – and it’s exciting to watch too!

2:00 PM – 5:30 PM

Old State House - Front Entrance

Sponsored by

Travelers

Greater Hartford Arts Council

Sankofa Kuumba
African Caribbean Dance

A cultural dance and music presentation with traditional drum call, ancestral tribute, display of West African dance, and Caribbean dance.  Audience participation is welcome.

6:45 PM – 7:30 PM

Old State House - Courtroom

Sponsored by

Saint Francis Hospital

Greater Hartford Arts Council

Beatles Forever

A First Night Hartford New Year’s Eve Dance Party!   Beatles Forever is Connecticut’s premier Beatles tribute band.  Come as you are or come dressed up. All are invited. Listen or boogie to the most dance oriented selection of classics from the Fab Four and other rock cover songs too. Refreshments and light food will be sold. 102.9 FM WDRC will be there too!

6:45 PM – 9:00 PM

The Marquee Atrium at  960 Main Street (The historic G. Fox building)

Sponsored by

The Marquee at 960 Main Street

WDRC 102.9 FM

Bill Walach

Bill is a Vernon, CT native that entertains crowds with his impeccable musicianship, stories and wit.  Bill plays a great display of Celtic, Bluegrass, Maritime and Americana songs.  You won’t want to miss this family oriented program of mandolin music.

7:00 PM - 11:00 PM

In tent outside the Pump House Gallery, Bushnell Park

Sponsored by

Marriott Downtown Hartford and Hilton Hartford

Greater Hartford Arts Council

Connecticut Landmarks’ Butler-McCook House & Garden & Main Street History Center

For 189 years the Butler-McCook House was home to four generations of a family who participated in, witnessed, and recorded the evolution of Main Street between the American Revolution and the mid-twentieth century.

The day will include tours of the festively decorated house, along with snacks and light refreshments.  Families can enjoy a children’s winter-themed holiday hat making craft activity. Wear your hat in the Procession!

2:00 PM – 5:30 PM

Butler- McCook House

Sponsored by

Butler-McCook House

Grand Procession from City Hall to Bushnell Park

Everyone is invited to make some noise. We’re giving out an array of hand percussion instruments that are manageable when wearing gloves and mittens. Bring your holiday hats and masks too!

Miriam Shreiber, a teacher in Simsbury, CT and graduate of Harrt School and University of Hartford will take the lead this year with simple steady beats.

5:20 PM – 5:50 PM

Begins at Hartford City Hall and proceeds down Gold Street to the Arch near the fireworks display area at Trinity Street.

Sponsored by

City of Hartford

Carousel Rides

Enjoy the thrill of riding this
magnificent and historic Stein
and Goldstein carousel.

Free rides with your First Night wristband. Hot chocolate, popcorn and chips for sale.

2:00 PM  – Midnight

Bushnell Park – East Side

Sponsored by

Bushnell Park Foundation

Chuck E. Costa “The Sea, The Sea”, The 2011 – 2012 Connecticut State Troubadour

The honorary position of Connecticut State Troubadour serves as an ambassador of music and song and promotes cultural literacy among Connecticut citizens. The Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism appoints a resident songwriter as state troubadour on a biannual basis.

Chuck will perform as part of a contemporary folk duo playing original songs with acoustic guitars, banjo, and vocal harmonies. Fun for all ages.

6:45 PM – 7:30 PM
7:45 PM – 8:30 PM

Center Church

Sponsored by

Greater Hartford Arts Council

CT Science Center

$2 discount off admission price with your First Night Hartford wristband.  Please note that wristbands are not sold at the CT Science Center.

Open 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Connecticut Science Center is located at 250 Columbus Blv, just a couple blocks from Main St. You can walk or ride the free Star Shuttle to FNH activities on Main Street and Bushnell. Shuttle stops every 12 minutes at Science Center and makes loops around downtown Hartford.

Sponsored by

CT Science Center

2011 Good Riddance

Shred your bad memories of 2011.

Begin 2012 on the right foot. Load unwanted memories of 2011 to be thoroughly destroyed on-site into a massive 26 foot shredder. Bring as much as you can carry.  Drive-ups are not possible.  Street will be closed.

Shreds every half hour starting at 2:00 PM until 5:30 PM

Trinity Street, Bushnell Park

Sponsored by

PROSHRED Security
Wallingford, CT

CT Whale vs. Springfield Falcons

50% off lower level end zone seating with game ticket purchase if you show your First Night Hartford wristband at the XL Center box office on Dec 31. First Night wristbands/buttons will be on sale in the Atrium in the XL Center near the box office before and after the game for your convenience.

Please visit www.ctwhale.com

PLEASE NOTE: GAME TICKET PRICES ARE NOT INCLUDED WITH FIRST NIGHT HARTFORD WRISTBAND/BUTTON

5:00 PM start time

XL Center, 241 Trumbull Street Downtown Hartford

Sponsored by

CT Whale

Ed Popielarczyk Magic Show and Comedy

Entertaining fun for children and families.  The kids are the stars because they make the magic happen while a story is told that revolves around each trick.

6:30 PM – 7:15 PM
7:30 PM – 8:15 PM

Central Baptist Church

Sponsored by

Greater Hartford Arts Council

Fireworks

View 2 fire displays in Bushnell Park at the Trinity Street area courtesy of the City of Hartford.  Bring everyone for the 6:00 PM display and then the big countdown at Midnight.

102.9 WDRC will host music 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM.

DJ Rob Corr will host a Street Dance Party from 11:00 PM – Midnight.

6:00 PM and Midnight

Trinity Street by the Arch, Bushnell Park

Sponsored by

City of Hartford

Food Court

Hungry?  Do you need a convenient place to eat? The Food Court  in State House Square will be open for First  Night. The Natural, Szechuan Express, Mega Wraps, Bangkok Chef Paolino, Surf City, State House Variety, Dunkin Donuts.

Open for lunch and dinner. Closes at 9:00 PM

State House Square

Sponsored by

State House Square

Brian Miller Magic Show

A captivating display of quick hands.

Brian will stroll between tables at the food court in State House Square to groups of people, performing close up magic with small, everyday props. You’ll be amazed at this excellent  magic and entertainment.

6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

State House Square

Sponsored by

State House Square

Fabulous Galaxies

Sit and listen or put your dancing shoes on for some fabulous 50s and 60s oldies and early Motown.  9 band members. There will be twist and shout contests.  Fun for All Ages!

3:45 PM – 4:30 PM
4:45 PM – 5:30 PM

Charter Oak Cultural Center

Sponsored by

Greater Hartford Arts Council

Mask Making

Come discover your creative side. This fun hands-on activity allows kids to choose from many unusual materials and trims as they transform the scraps into fabulous masks. Have fun and wear them in the Grand Procession at 5:20 PM beginning at City Hall.

3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Wadsworth Atheneum

Sponsored by

CBT

Greater Hartford Arts Council

Horse Drawn Wagon Rides

Take a scenic ride around Bushnell Park in a horse drawn wagon!

Rides are approximately 15 min. Space is limited. First come first serve.

 *additional fee- $3 pp *

2:00 PM – 4:30 PM

Load and unload on
Trinity Street near the Carousel

Ice Matters

Come view professional ice sculpting in action by world renowned ice sculptor, Bill Covitz.  Bill will carve a cool winter design right in front of your eyes.

2:30 PM – 4:00 PM

Bushnell Park

Sponsored by

City of Hartford

Greater Hartford Arts Council

Ice Skating Rink

Bushnell Park will be a hub of activity on New Year’s Eve including the new  ice rink that will be open for extended skating hours during First Night. Ice time and skate rentals are free to the public.  The rink is twice as large as last year.  Holds approx 140 skaters at one time.

Maze Gallery II

Robert Such returns to present more life size walk-through mazes. Not like mazes found in many children’s magazines, these mazes are challenging yet delightful.  Visit the Torus Maze, the Rolling Block Maze, the Couple’s Maze, the Three Dimensional Maze, and other enthralling mazes.  Robert will present a brief lecture on maze theory at 4:30 and 7:30.

2:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Center Church Office Building
60 Gold Street

Sponsored by

First Niagara Bank

New Year Traditions Storytelling

Learn funny New Year Traditions from around the world. Hear a cool New Year’s story and toast to the New Year.

One City, One Plan, One Earth

The City of Hartford has adopted a plan of conservation and development to guide its efforts to build a healthy and prosperous future. Come see the magic of recycling or how to turn trash into music. Fun activities for kids of all ages combined with educational displays. Bash the Trash In the Grand Procession. Come make a New Year's resolution to volunteer during the coming year to one action to save energy, green your household, clean up your neighborhood or to help implement any of the items on the One City, One Plan action agenda. Help make a cleaner and healthier Hartford.

Frozzzen in Time

The show, aptly named “Frozen in Time” features work of several artists from the surrounding area.  The concept of the show includes positive images of Hartford’s diverse population and connecting different colors within the picture through artistic expressions. Each of the four walls of the gallery will represent a different season, covering three months per season through the eyes of a graphic artist.

Salsa Dance Lessons

Here’s a chance to have fun with family and friends while learning how to Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Rumba, and others. Circle of Life Arts will teach you all the fundamentals of moving to these Latin dance steps.

We also invite you to stay and try or show off your dance skills to the live Latino music scheduled next.

Latino Son Project Band

Live music and different styles from South America and the Carribbean. Piano, guitar, congas, flute, alto and soprano sax.

Sit and listen or get up on the dance floor!

Sea Tea Improv

A short form comedy improve performance.  This group of talented young performers are trained by respected theater programs.  The act consists of Whose line…? style games and scenes based on audience participation.  It’s hilarious!

Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch

See spectacular sights from the top of the Arch and learn about this Gothic monument’s history from a member of Bushnell Park Foundation.

The Arcade Game Trailer

The ONLY mobile arcade with REAL full size arcade games!

18 kids can play at one time Approx 10 minute sessions. One session per person please.

Kids Craft

Tissue paper flower making. 
All are welcome to come in and relax at the church.

Refreshments for sale.  Hot cocoa, cider, and cookies.

Les Julian

Mr. Julian is a singer of short stories of family and children’s songs.  His performances are entertaining and educational.  They’ll make you laugh and think.

His award-winning original songs illuminate universal themes of human life while celebrating the diversity of the world through a variety of exciting musical styles.

Readings for 2012

Step outside your usual perspective and consult the Tarot cards, mediums, and psychics on hand this evening! A 2012 Tarot reading provides clarity and advice for the New Year. Get insightful answers.  Readings don’t have the power to change future events, but it can help you anticipate them.

*additional fee $10 /10 minutes per person  Must have First Night wristband.

Tirebiter

Dance the night away! Join the New Year celebration with this veteran popular rock cover band.  Come as you are or come dressed up.  Light food will be sold. 102.9 FM WDRC will be there too!

Downtown Yoga

Let Downtwon Yoga gently guide you into the New Year.  The two youth classes will use the natural energy and enthusiasm of children to explore yoga poses, breathing exercises, visual imagery and relaxation techniques.  Later on there will be a Vinyasa Flow class for adults, catering toward all levels of practice.  This class will rejuvinate your soul through the use of meditation, breath awarness, and grounding standing pose and will send you into the New Year with an open heart and fresh mind.

Calley McGane & The Exiles

High energy vocal and instrumental music Celtic and Irish tunes at the core, played in Celtic Rock style.

UConn Men's Basketball vs. St. John's

Tickets are only $15

Game ticket prices are not included with First Night wristband sales. First Night wristbands/buttons will be on sale near the Box Office in the XL Center before and after the game for your convenience.

Please visit www.uconnhuskies.com

PLEASE NOTE: GAME TICKET PRICES ARE NOT INCLUDED WITH FIRST NIGHT HARTFORD WRISTBAND/BUTTON

Young Studios

Joe Young will set up cartoon workshops and drama workshops at for the day at House of Essence on Pratt Street. This is a unique artistic offering. He’ll also talk about his new movie, Diamond Ruff.