First Night Artists
Check out the First Night Akron 2012 Event Guide!
SELECT GENRE: Theatre | Music | Visual | Dance | Interactive | Mainstage | Performance Art
All Artists
A Band Named Ashes
Greystone Hall: Ballroom, 2nd Floor 8:30-9:30 p.m.
Enjoy Progressive Folk music featured on A Band Named Ashes' most recent albums, "Circles," "Live at Tony's Speakeasy," and more from upcoming albums.
Stage sponsored by John S. Knight Center.
This Site sponsored by: GAR Foundation
Actors' Summit Presents Broadway & More
Greystone Hall-Theater, 6th Floor 6-9 p.m.
“Broadway and More” will feature musical numbers from past and future shows, as well as Broadway favorites, performed in 15 minute sets, by 8 different singers, actors and musicians.
This Site Sponsored by: GAR Foundation
Akron Film
Akron Art Museum: Auditorium 8-10 p.m.
The producers of the Akron Film+Pixel Festival present short films for all ages in the Akron Art Museum auditorium. Stop in at any point during the program for a cinematic diversion.
Stage sponsored by OMNOVA Solutions Foundation.
This Site Sponsored by: FirstMerit Bank
Akron-Summit County Public Library Children's Make & Take
Akron-Summit County Public Library-Children's Room 6-9 p.m.
This is your chance to make some noise in the library! Create and decorate a noisemaker in the Children’s Library for the New Year’s festivities.
This Site Sponsored by: Acme Fresh Market
Alex Bevan
Akron-Summit County Public Library-Main St. Level 8:30-9:15 p.m.
Akron-Summit County Public Library-Main St. Level 9:30-10:15
Akron-Summit County Public Library-Main St. Level 10:30-11 p.m.
Alex Bevan is truly Northern Ohio's "Low Tech Troubadour." A gifted songwriter, an ample storyteller and a facile guitar picker, he performs melodies crafted from a love of nature and words that speak of real lives.
Stage sponsored by The Sisler McFawn Foundation.
This Site Sponsored by: Acme Fresh Market
Arlington Praise
Zion Lutheran Church 7-7:30 p.m.
Zion Lutheran Church 8:45-9:15 p.m.
Enjoy inspirational and gospel music to ring in the New Year!
This Site Sponsored by: Akron Beacon Journal/Ohio.com
Artists of Rubber City: The BOX
Summit Artspace: 3rd Floor 6-9 p.m.
Stop by to view Paper or Plastic: A Lowbrow Toy Show, featuring over 30 contemporary artists showing off the latest art phenomenon: vinyl toys and fine art. From tattoo artists to college professors - this fresh talent is sure to impress!
This Site Sponsored by: Kenneth L. Calhoun, Keybank Trust
Ashley Brooke Toussant
Akron Art Museum: Lobby 7:45-8:30 p.m.
Akron Art Museum: Lobby 8:45-9:30 p.m.
Fall marked the release of Ashley's first full length album, Sweetheart. No stranger to Akron, she opened for Country Hall of Famer Don Williams at the Akron Civic Theatre last March.
This Site Sponsored by: FirstMerit Bank
Asian Services in Action, Inc. (ASIA, Inc.)
Summit Artspace: 3rd Floor 6-9 p.m.
This “Fish” make and take symbolizes prosperity in Chinese culture. Make sure you get a Chinese "Happy New Year" bookmark and a fortune cookie when you visit ASIA, Inc. during First Night!
Supported by Cohen & Company.
This Site Sponsored by: Kenneth L. Calhoun, Keybank Trust
B.E. Mann
John S. Knight Center-Exhibit Hall 1 6-6:45 p.m.
John S. Knight Center-Exhibit Hall 1 7-8 p.m.
High energy, dance powered, crowd interactive, sing-along party reggae music.
Stage sponsored by Robert O. & Annamae Orr Family Foundation.
This Site Sponsored by: Akron Community Foundation
Bonnie Baughman
Zion Lutheran Church 6:15-6:45 p.m.
Zion Lutheran Church 7:45-8:15 p.m.
This singer and songwriter performs a mix of show tunes, old favorites, traditional and contemporary gospel. A dynamic voice conveys that her songs are sung straight from the heart.
This Site Sponsored by: Akron Beacon Journal/Ohio.com
Braids & Beads
The Shoppes at Akron Centre 6-9 p.m.
Braiding and beading is fun for all ages! Have your hair braided with colorful beads on the ends.
This Site Sponsored by: PNC Bank
Brass Band of the Western Reserve
Akron-Summit County Public Library: Auditorium 9:15-10 p.m.
Akron-Summit County Public Library: Auditorium 10:15-11 p.m.
Akron's Brass Band of the Western Reserve returns to First Night to present a selection of popular big band favorites and light classics.
This Site Sponsored by: Acme Fresh Market
Buck and Buffy
Around Town 6-9 p.m.
Buck the dog and his little sister Buffy are the epitome of cool! They can be seen all over town giving away “Kid Dollars” to kids worth $1 at any Acme Fresh Market store. Can you find Buck & Buffy at First Night?
Buck & Buffy Provided by: Acme Fresh Market
Cari Miller's Sunthing Special
Summit Artspace: 3rd Floor 6-9 p.m.
Fun, funky, colorful and affordable works of art abound in Cari Miller's studio/gallery. You'll find acrylic paintings, pottery, works with recycled objects, handmade cards and a unique line of "Akron pride" items.
This Site Sponsored by: Kenneth L. Calhoun, Keybank Trust
Carolyn E. Lewis Studio
Summit Artspace: 3rd Floor 6-9 p.m.
Stop by to view beautiful paintings and a live demo by Carolyn. Children are welcome to create works on an easel.
This Site Sponsored by: Kenneth L. Calhoun, Keybank Trust
Colin Dussault's Blues Project
Akron Civic Theatre: Stage 7:15-8 p.m.
Akron Civic Theatre: Stage 8:15-9 p.m.
After 21 years on the Northeast Ohio music scene, this award winning, harmonica driven, blues-based, roots, rock 'n soul band has established itself as one of the hardest working and most versatile performing units in the area!
This Site Sponsored by: Ohio Arts Council
Confucius Institute Make & Take
Summit Artspace 6-9 p.m.
The University of Akron's Confucius Institute is dedicated to enhancing the understanding of the Chinese language & culture around the world. Stop by to learn Chinese writing, language and culture.
Supported by GoJo Industries, Inc.
This Site Sponsored by: Kenneth L. Calhoun, Keybank Trust
Connie Bloom's Quilting Arts Studio and Gallery
Summit Artspace: 3rd Floor 6-9 p.m.
Connie’s studio features whimsical and intricate abstract art quilts, landscapes and ecology pieces made from hand dyed and hand painted or recycled cloth. Extensive free motion work rewards close up viewing!
This Site Sponsored by: Kenneth L. Calhoun, Keybank Trust
Constellations Dance Company
Akron-Summit County Public Library: Auditorium 6-6:30 p.m.
Akron-Summit County Public Library: Auditorium 7:30-8 p.m.
Constellations Dance Co. is a pre-professional company for those considering a career in the arts or wishing to expand their training by working with professionals in the field.
Stage sponsored by Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company.
This Site Sponsored by: Acme Fresh Market
Create Your Own Personal Garden at the Akron Art Museum
Akron Art Museum: Corbin Gallery 6-10 p.m.
In the museum’s Corbin Gallery use magnetized design elements to create a personal garden paradise. Browse the idyllic configurations of other visitors before building upon their visions or clearing a space to design anew. Museum educators will periodically document the designs through photographs and post a selection throughout the duration of the Landscapes from the Age of Impressionism exhibition on view in the Arnstein Galleries through February 5, 2012.
This Site Sponsored by: FirstMerit Bank
Drip E. Faucet - Magician, Juggler and Plumber
Around Town 6-11 p.m.
Drip E. Faucet: Magician, Juggler, and Plumber performs amazing and amusing feats of magic and hilarious high flying, gravity defying juggling fun! Enjoy squeaky clean comedy for the whole family!
Sponsored by: METRO Transit Authority
Face Painting
Zion Lutheran Church 7-9 p.m.
Face painting for the whole family to enjoy!
This Site Sponsored by: Akron Beacon Journal/Ohio.com
Fergie & The Bog Dogs
John S. Knight Center-Main Floor 2 6-6:45 p.m.
John S. Knight Center-Main Floor 2 7-7:45 p.m.
One of Northeast Ohio's favorite Irish Pub bands, Fergie and the Bog Dogs brings traditional and modern Celtic music to its entertaining show.
Supported by The Murdough Foundation.
This Site Sponsored by: Akron Community Foundation
Franklin T. Moose
Around Town 6-9 p.m.
Franklin T. Moose, the cute and cuddly moose from FirstMerit Bank, will be handing out fun gifts for kids beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the Mainstage. At 9 p.m., make sure you join him in the countdown to the FirstMerit Kids Fireworks Show.
Franklin T. Moose Provided by: FirstMerit Bank
Fun 2012 Hats and Plaques
Akron Art Museum: Lobby 6-10 p.m.
Create a hat or a plaque to remember First Night 2012 in Downtown Akron. Create a Headband Hat or a plaque to share complete with your own embellishments.
This Site Sponsored by: FirstMerit Bank