First Night Artists
Check out the First Night Akron 2012 Event Guide!
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Arists: Interactive
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Get Painted Temp Tattoos
The Shoppes at Akron Centre 6-9 p.m.
Come get your own airbrush temporary tattoo!
This Site Sponsored by: PNC Bank
Hall of Resolution
John S. Knight Center: Maidenberg Concourse 6-11 p.m.
Whether you want to lose weight, learn a new skill, get organized, get healthy or just explore the possibilities of getting support for a life changing goal, you’ll be able to find something to meet your needs in the “Hall of Resolution.”
This Site Sponsored by: Akron Community Foundation
Heads Up Productions
John S. Knight Center: Maidenberg Concourse 7-11 p.m.
Visit Heads Up Productions at the John S. Knight Center to share your First Night experience for a chance to be featured on Heads Up Arts Radio, a family-friendly podcast centering on arts in the Akron-area. Or see if you can catch the Heads Up Street Performers as you move through the First Night footprint! If you do they're sure to entertain you with songs, poetry, stories and more!
Sponsored by: METRO Regional Transit Authority
Horse Drawn Sleigh Rides by Carriage Limousine Service
Around Town 7-10 p.m.
Carriage Limousine Service will offer sleigh rides through beautiful Downtown Akron in a one of a kind eight passenger horse drawn sleigh!
Sponsored by: METRO Regional Transit Authority
joyUNSPEAKABLE Productions
Akron Civic Theatre: Lobby 6-11 p.m.
Motionless poses and convincing costumes will make you think it's a statue. With an expressionless face painted to match costume color, JoyUNSPEAKABLE uses only subtle but deliberate movement to communicate with the audience.
Supported by Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund.
This Site Sponsored by: Ohio Arts Council
Let's Face it Caricatures
The Shoppes at Akron Centre 6-9 p.m.
Let's Face it Caricatures provides live humorous sketches of your family and friends!
This Site Sponsored by: PNC Bank
Let's Move, Summit County!
Summit Artspace: Conference Room 6-9 p.m.
“Let’s Move, Summit County!” is a healthy lifestyle initiative focused on childhood wellness. Join “Let’s Move” at the Summit Artspace for FUN, FITness activities. FREE winter hats and goodie bags for the first 250 kids!
This Site Sponsored by: Kenneth L. Calhoun Keybank Trust
METRO Make & Take
METRO Transit Center 6-10 p.m.
Stop by the METRO Transit Center to make your own Headlight or Stickman!
Site Sponsored by: County of Summit
Michael Roy's Cirque Du Papier
Around Town 7-11 p.m.
Right before your eyes, Michael Roy deftly displays dazzling digital dexterity, morphing single, flat squares of paper into cool 3D creatures by merely folding. No cuts, no tears, no glue.
Sponsored by: METRO Regional Transit Authority
Midnight Wedding Festivities
Mainstage 6:55 p.m.
Mainstage 11:45 p.m.
Watch as pre-registered couples try their luck at winning custom made white gold diamond companion wedding rings designed by C. L. Davis Jewelers plus overnight accommodations and a deluxe breakfast from the Ramada Plaza located right in the heart of Downtown! The winning couple will be whisked away in a horse drawn sleigh where their wedding bands will be custom sized to fit for when they exchange vows at the midnight ceremony. Let your New Year’s Eve explode in pyrotechnics and love. Exchange wedding vows on Main Street and share your first kiss as newlyweds at midnight under the stars and the beauty of the New Year’s fireworks.
Sponsored by: C.L. Davis Jewelers
Ohio College of Clowning Arts
Around Town 9-10 p.m.
Akron-Summit County Public Library-Classroom 6-6:30 p.m.
Akron-Summit County Public Library-Classroom 6:45-7:15 p.m.
Akron-Summit County Public Library-Classroom 7:30-8 p.m.
Akron-Summit County Public Library-Classroom 8:15-8:45 p.m.
An on the road, interactive course to start you in the world of clowning followed by magic and musical entertainment.
This Site Sponsored by: Acme Fresh Market
Pat Catan's Mask Making
The Shoppes at Akron Centre 6-9 p.m.
First Night’s favorite make and take returns! From glitter and sequins to feathers and beads – you’re sure to find the perfect supplies to create a masterpiece.
This Site Sponsored by: PNC Bank
PNC's Grow Up Great
The Shoppes at Akron Centre 6-9 p.m.
While you explore the sights and sounds of First Night, stop by this child-oriented venue that highlights PNC's national and local Grow Up Great efforts through the art of imaginative play! Make and take money jars with PNC's For You, For Me, For Later station. Learn about making strong choices with the Illusion Factory in Huck Finn's Story. Build and play in your own Step2 "kiddie city," imagine what you want to be when you grow up with Let's Face it Caricatures and add some zing to your First Night attire with Pat Catan's Mask Making, Braids and Beads and Get Painted Temp Tattoos!
This Site Sponsored by: PNC Bank
Rediscover Akron with Anitra Redlefsen
John S. Knight Center: Karder Terrace 6-10 p.m.
Rediscover Akron! First Night participants will create a giant, 11” x 17” “post card” featuring five of Akron’s historic landmarks – West Point Market, The Akron Civic Theatre, Stan Hywet Hall, The Diamond Grill and Mary Coyle restaurant.
Supported by R.C. Musson and Katharine M. Musson Foundation.
This Site Sponsored by: Akron Community Foundation
Silent Lion
Greystone Hall: Doric Room, 4th Floor 8:15-9 p.m.
Greystone Hall: Doric Room, 4th Floor 9:15-10 p.m.
Silent Lion is an exotic International Celtic duo, time traveling across world styles of music, sharing romantic and esoteric masterpieces with Irish Bouzouki, mandolin, guitar, banjo and voice.
Supported by Moffitt Foundation.
This Site Sponsored by: GAR Foundation
Smile! You're on Camera!
METRO Transit Center 6-10 p.m.
Stop in the Red Eye photo booth and capture your evening with a free photo!
This Site Sponsored by: County of Summit
Street Beat Drummers
Around Town 7-11 p.m.
The Street Beat Drummers will keep your toes tapping! Watch for their colorful costumes as they bop trough the streets and light up smiles on the faces of all who come near!
Sponsored by: METRO Regional Transit Authority