First Night Artists

Check out the First Night Akron 2012 Event Guide!

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Arists: Music

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gospel Wonders

Zion Lutheran Church 6-6:45 p.m.
Zion Lutheran Church 7:45-8:30 p.m.

Gospel Wonders love to articulate the love of God through songs, service and praise.

This Site Sponsored by: Akron Beacon Journal/Ohio.com

Hans F. Utter - Sitar

Summit Artspace: Gallery 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Enjoy traditional Indian classical music on sitar by Hans F. Utter.

Stage sponsored by The University of Akron.

This Site Sponsored by: Kenneth L. Calhoun Keybank Trust

Hard Day's Night - Beatles Tribute

Akron Civic Theatre: Stage 9:30-10:15 p.m.
Akron Civic Theatre: Stage 10:30-11:15 p.m.

One of the top authentic Beatles tribute bands performing today and one of the very few to have performed in Liverpool, England!

This Site Sponsored by: Ohio Arts Council

Horns and Things

John S. Knight Center-Main Floor 2 8:15-9:15 p.m.
John S. Knight Center-Main Floor 2 9:30-10:30 p.m.
John S. Knight Center-Main Floor 2 10:45-11:15 p.m.

This powerhouse contemporary jazz ensemble has pleased audiences throughout the years! The group was founded by saxophonists J.T. Lynch and Ken LeeGrand.

This Site Sponsored by: Akron Community Foundation

Kathy Johnson

Akron-Summit County Public Library 7-7:45 p.m.
Akron-Summit County Public Library 8-8:45 p.m.

Kathy Johnson is an entertaining singer-songwriter whose performances delight audiences of all ages. Listen to her eclectic and fun mix of originals, folk, cowboy songs, vintage country, standards and more!

Stage sponsored by The Mary S. and David C. Corbin Foundation.

This Site Sponsored by: Acme Fresh Market

Kyle Magilavy Trio

Greystone Hall: Doric Room, 4th Floor 6-6:45 p.m.
Greystone Hall: Doric Room, 4th Floor 7-7:45 p.m.

The Kyle Magilavy Trio combines the old sounds of 1920s and 30s with mellow tones of modern jazz and R&B, producing a sound that is truly unique, smooth and relaxing.

This Site Sponsored by: GAR Foundation

Lisa & Heather Malyuk

Akron Art Museum: Lobby 6-6:30 p.m.
Akron Art Museum: Lobby 6:45-7:15 p.m.

These highly acclaimed multi-instrumentalists give traditions a twist! Their performances feature old-time Appalachian, Celtic, World & original folk music ranging from energetic and driving tunes to bittersweet and haunting melodies.

This Site Sponsored by: FirstMerit Bank

Lost State of Franklin

John S. Knight Center-Exhibit Hall 2 10:45-11:15 P.M.
John S. Knight Center-Exhibit Hall 2 8:30-9:15 p.m.
John S. Knight Center-Exhibit Hall 2 9:30-10:30 p.m.

Lost State of Franklin has taken their sound around the world many times over. This group is family-friendly and loved by all – teenagers, grandmas, truckers, preachers, moms and dads!

Stage sponsored by Roetzel & Andress.

This Site Sponsored by: Akron Community Foundation

Mame Daiko, Taiko Drumming Ensemble

Greystone Hall: Ballroom, 2nd Floor 6:15-7 p.m.
Greystone Hall: Ballroom, 2nd Floor 7:15-8:15 p.m.

Mame Daiko, Cleveland JACL's Japanese Taiko Ensemble, performs a mix of traditional and contemporary songs in a high energy performance that combines choreography and drumming.

Stage sponsored by John S. Knight Center.

This Site Sponsored by: GAR Foundation

Memphis Cradle

John S. Knight Center-Main Floor 1 8:15-9:15 p.m.
John S. Knight Center-Main Floor 1 9:30-10:30 p.m.
John S. Knight Center-Main Floor 1 10:45-11:15 p.m.

Memphis Cradle, winners of Northeast Ohio Blues Association’s 2011 Blues Challenge, is all about the Blues. Their versatility allows the listener to enjoy all aspects of the Blues.

This Site Sponsored by: Akron Community Foundation

Moustache Yourself!

METRO Transit Center 7-10 p.m.

Moustache Yourself! is composed of Joe Terett on Guitar, Jeremy Jones on Guitar and Bass Fiddle player, Tim Akin. This Gypsy Jazz group performs waltzes, fast tempos, minor keys and exotic melodies. Men with moustaches.

This Site Sponsored by: County of Summit

Steve Free

Akron-Summit County Public Library-Main St. Level 6-6:30 p.m.
Akron-Summit County Public Library-Main St. Level 6:45-7:15 p.m.
Akron-Summit County Public Library-Main St. Level 7:30-8 p.m.

Steve Free is an internationally award winning recording artist, winner of 8 ASCAP Awards and the 2008 Governor’s Arts Award as Ohio's #1 Artist. He tells the story of the Appalachian and Native American heritage of Southern Ohio through song and storytelling with a fun-filled show for all ages.

Stage sponsored by The Sisler McFawn Foundation.

This Site Sponsored by: Acme Fresh Market

Summit County Songwriters Circle

Summit Artspace: 2nd Floor 7-9 p.m.

Summit County Songwriters Circle, formed in 2033, is a group of musicians performing originals and covering classic rock and blues.

This Site Sponsored by: Kenneth L. Calhoun Keybank Trust

Tants Muziky

Akron-Summit County Public Library-High St. Level 6-6:45 p.m.

Tants Muziky performs instrumental Folk music from Scandinavian, Slavic & Eastern European Nations on a variety of ethnic instruments and wears appropriate garb for the occasion.

Stage sponsored by The Mary S. and David C. Corbin Foundation.

This Site Sponsored by: Acme Fresh Market

The Juke Hounds

John S. Knight Center-Main Floor 1 6-6:45
John S. Knight Center-Main Floor 1 7-7:45 p.m.

The Juke Hounds play danceable blues, soul and rock and roll led by soulful vocals, guitar and harmonica. Don’t miss this performance by the winners of the Cleveland Blues Society's 2010 Blues Challenge!

Supported by Lloyd L. and Louise K. Smith Memorial Foundation.

This Site Sponsored by: Akron Community Foundation

UA Steel Drum Band

John S. Knight Center-Exhibit Hall 1 8:30-9:30 p.m.
John S. Knight Center-Exhibit Hall 1 9:45-10:30
John S. Knight Center-Exhibit Hall 1 10:45-11:15p.m.

Discover what thousands of their fans already know! The highly-acclaimed UA Steel Drum Band performs Caribbean music at its best.

Stage sponsored by Robert O. & Annamae Orr Family Foundation.

This Site Sponsored by: Akron Community Foundation

Wanda Hunt Band

John S. Knight Center-Goodyear Ballroom 9:30-10:15 p.m.
John S. Knight Center-Goodyear Ballroom 10:30-11:15 p.m.

This crowd pleasing eight-piece band with horns features lead singer Wanda Hunt performing danceable old school Rhythm & Blues.

Stage sponsored by The Welty Family Foundation.

This Site Sponsored by: Akron Community Foundation

Westside Steve Simmons

Summit Artspace: 3rd Floor 6-9 p.m.

Westside Steve Simmons has an excellent voice and sings favorites and original music, much of which is oriented to the Great Lakes.

Supported by A Schulman, Inc.

This Site Sponsored by: Kenneth L. Calhoun Keybank Trust

Yiddishe Cup

John S. Knight Center-Goodyear Ballroom 6:15-7 p.m.
John S. Knight Center-Goodyear Ballroom 7:15-8 p.m.
John S. Knight Center-Goodyear Ballroom 8:15-9 p.m.

"Hava Nagilah" to the 10th Power! This Klezmer Band lights up the stage with their eccentric mix of Yiddish music.

Stage sponsored by