First NightŪ is a family-oriented,
non-alcoholic celebration of the arts held on New Year's Eve on the
streets of downtown Carlisle. It is a major visual and performing arts
festivity created by and for the community to welcome in the New Year.
It is a public celebration that revives the ancient tradition of
marking the passage of time with art, ritual, and festivity in a
present day context.
Mission...
First Night'sŪ mission is to broaden and deepen the public's
appreciation of the visual and performing arts through an innovative,
diverse, and high-quality New Year's Eve program which offers the
community a shared cultural experience that is accessible and
affordable to all.
Attendance...
The First NightŪ celebration draws singles, couples, and families of
all ages and ethnicities from the local communities.
Location...
The celebration will take place in both indoor and outdoor locations
throughout the center of Carlisle. Indoor sites, such as churches,
public buildings, theaters, libraries, community and cultural
buildings, along with streets, storefront windows, sidewalks, and
civic plazas, become venues for all varieties of the visual,
performing and literary arts. The cultural animation of the city sets
the stage for innovation and public interaction.
Program...
Simultaneous and continuous performances of dance, music, mime,
storytelling, theater, and multicultural programs. Unexpected places
are transformed through an explosion of creative energy. A countdown
to midnight and a spectacular fireworks finale conclude the community
festivity.
Participation...
At First NightŪ, everyone is a participant. Audience members decide
their individualized schedules from the complete program. In addition,
through hands-on workshops, participants are encouraged to create
masks, hats, and/or display painted faces and fantastic costumes. The
lines between the observer and the observed are deliberately blurred.
Admission...
A First NightŪ button supports the cost of the celebration and
provides general admission to all events. Admission to indoor events
is on a first-come, first-served basis. The cost of the buttons will
be minimal to encourage entire families to participate.
