FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007
CONTACT: Kimberlee McKee
330-762-8555 (phone); 330-762-6622 (fax)
kmckee@downtownakron.com
New Akron Art Museum Provides Multitude of First Night Activities
The Akron Art Museum returns as a First Night site after three years during construction of the new building.
Akron, Ohio — After a three-year absence, the Akron Art Museum is once again a site for the First Night® Akron celebration on New Year’s Eve. The newly constructed, larger building provides the community with greater opportunity to experience the arts throughout the year, as well as increased space for showcasing the region’s talented local artists at First Night.
"The Akron Art Museum was a presenter for the very first First Night eleven years ago,” said Mitchell Kahan, Director & CEO of the Akron Art Museum. “With our expansion complete, we are now returning to the celebration and welcome revelers to enjoy events in three new venues: the McDowell Grand Lobby, Lehner Auditorium and our new classroom."
First Night entertainment in the Lehner Auditorium includes performances by Literature Leap, bringing books to life through storytelling and music; Show and Tell with Trish and Mel, an interactive variety show for preschool through primary audiences; and Okantah, the Muntu Kuntu Energy Poet, a collaboration of music and poetry.
The McDowell Grand Lobby plays host to musical artists The Friday Jazz Kings, a youthful group playing traditional and original arrangements, and The ReBeats, a stunningly similar performance to those of the swingin’ sixties. Also in the lobby, artist Melissa Daubert’s Baby New Year Jam—an art installation that encourages the public to create music through interactive components.
The new classroom will feature teaching artist Anitra Redlefsen who will guide revelers in hands-on experiences while exploring the life and work of French painter Georges Seurat.
Finally, guests are invited to visit the new Jazzman’s Café located inside the Museum (open on First Night from 6 - 10 p.m.). The café will serve soups and sandwiches, homemade cookies, brownies and muffins, as well as smoothies and hot beverages.
Families are welcome to explore the new venues of the Akron Art Museum on New Year’s Eve and encouraged to visit after the New Year to experience the exhibit space. Galleries will be closed on December 31.
First Night® Akron 2008 features entertainment so diverse that every member of the community will find a way to celebrate the final hours of 2007 in downtown Akron! Whether it’s favorite performers from the past or new traditions, First Night will once again bring the community together to make New Year’s Eve memories during the brief and unique moment that takes place as the calendar flips to 2008.
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. Metro buses make it easy to stay warm while you see it all! They’ll transport your family and friends as you discover the magic of First Night. 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.
New limited edition buttons! Show your support for the local arts community by purchasing a First Night Arts Patron button! The perfect gift for the art lover who has everything! This limited edition, collectible button allows access to all First Night events on New Years Eve. It features artist Linda Hutchinson’s design, colorful chaser lights and a special Arts Patron star that will set you apart from the crowds on December 31! Arts Patron buttons cost $20 and help fund First Night’s talented local artists. Arts Patron button are available exclusively at Don Drumm Studios, the Akron Art Museum store, Acme Fresh Market on W. Market, The Library Shop on Main, Stage Left Boutique, Carolyn’s Cupboard and online at www.firstnightakron.org.
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.
###
|
