FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monday, Dec. 17, 2007
CONTACT: Kimberlee McKee
330-762-8555 (phone); 330-762-6622 (fax)
kmckee@downtownakron.com

First Night® Akron showcases great local artists during New Year’s Eve celebration
Weekly spotlight on Artists

Akron, Ohio -- Discover the magic of First Night® Akron 2008! Metro buses make it easy to stay warm while you experience everything First Night® Akron has to offer. You pick the place and the Metro Bus will make sure you arrive right on time! 

Here are just a few of the great performances that will be happening at First Night® Akron 2008.

Exciting! Powerful! Energetic! That's the only way to describe a Horns & Things performance. Don't miss the opportunity to celebrate the last hours of 2007 with this wildly entertaining group from 6-6:45 p.m., 7-7:45 p.m. and 8-8:30 p.m. at the John S. Knight Center.

Get hands on experiences exploring the life and work of French painter Georges Seurat. Creating artwork in the style of pointillism and display it on a seven foot high "Learning Tree" sculpture. Join the fun with Seurat, The Dot and The Learning Tree from 5-9 p.m. at the Akron Art Museum.

Don't take yourself too seriously this New Year's Ever! Have a caricature of yourself or the whole family drawn and keep it as your First Night souvenir. Have the Metro drop you off between 5 and 9 p.m. at The Shoppes at Akron Centre to have your portrait done.

Enjoy an exciting performance displaying student choreographed pieces from the annual holiday production and performances by the award winning All-Star team from StarMaker Performing Arts Center. Seats are sure to fill up fast, they will perform from 7-7:45 p.m. and 8-8:30 p.m. at the High Street Christian Church, so don't be late!

The Magical Theatre Company is back with another performance that is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat from 8:30-9:30 p.m. and 10-11 p.m. in the Main Library Auditorium.

As always, First Night is family-friendly and alcohol free with entertainment packed into 21 downtown sites.  More than 30 visual and interactive art activities and 50 performing artists and groups, representing dance, theater, and music make the evening one you'll never forget. The excitement will culminate when the Midnight Countdown Show begins at 11:30 p.m. featuring Cats on Holiday. Then kiss 2007 goodbye with a bang as the FirstMerit Fireworks display fills the sky to Today's Best Music courtesy of 98.1 WKDD.

Admission to First Night Akron is a $10 button. Children under 10 years old are admitted free. Buy admission buttons online at www.firstnightakron.org until December 25.  Buttons are also available at all Acme Fresh Market stores and participating FirstMerit bank branches.

For more information, including a complete schedule of First Night entertainment, visit the website: www.firstnightakron.org. First Night is a program of Downtown Akron Partnership. Founding Partners of the program are the City of Akron and the Akron Beacon Journal.

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