First Night Celebrations

The growing popularity of First Night celebrations (a non-alcoholic alternative to the club scene) is another indication of the increase in family-friendly music events.

First Night: 15 venues, 70 performances, 13,000 people - Columbia Missourian: "First Night, a community celebration of the new year with music, art, performances and festivity, has come of age in Columbia. This year, the event boasts more than 70 performances and activities at 15 downtown venues....

"Karen Ramey, director of operations, said that about 12,500 people attended First Night last year and this year’s crowd is expected to be near 13,000. The economic impact, based on information about hotel bookings, shopping and restaurants from the Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau Tourism Development fund, is estimated at $1 million, she said. ...

"A First Night admission button opens the door to a wide range of music and other entertainment that includes jazz, polka, swing dancing, rock, children’s performers, bluegrass, Irish dance, storytelling, rhythm and blues, magic and a venue just for teens.

"Buttons are $8 for those 8 and older and can be purchased online until 4 p.m. today. After 4 p.m., they will cost $10.

"Ramey said that only a quarter of the First Night organization’s $800,000 budget comes from button sales; donations and grants account for the majority.

"The event is part of First Night International, held in about 150 U.S. cities as well as Canada, New Zealand and England. The idea originated from a group of civic-minded artists in Boston in 1976, who began the tradition of bringing communities together to celebrate New Year’s Eve in an alcohol-free event filled with entertainment."

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Here are just a few other First Night celebrations as examples.

Burlington, Vermont
About 200 events featuring 1,000 performing artists in 25 venues throughout the city.

Spokane, Washington
Between 25,000 and 30,000 people expected at 40+ venues.

St. Petersburg, Florida
More than 30 venues.

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And here is some info about the First Night that started it all:

cbs4boston.com - Fun Facts About First Night Boston 2007: "This year’s event features over 1000 artists in 200 performances and exhibitions at over 40 indoor and outdoor venues around Boston. Expected attendance is 1 million celebratory people.

Funding

•First Night is a private non-profit corporation, which is supported by private donations and corporate sponsorship and through First Night button sales. More than 70 percent of the annual budget funds artistic programming and production. First Night artists are paid for their work.

•The City of Boston is a major supporter of First Night Boston, providing many services. First Night could not happen without the generosity of the Mayor and the City. The budget for First Night Boston 2006 is 1.4 million dollars, which is about $150,000 higher than last year, and accounts for an expanded development effort – part of a new business plan to cultivate more individual contributions as corporate and government contributions continue to wane for us and other non-profit arts organizations.

•If the budget is 1.4 million and 1 million people attend, that means First Night’s cost per person served is just $1.40. Quite a value!

•Traditionally, First Night funding has been 1/3 button revenue, 1/3 corporate sponsorship and 1/3 foundation, individual and government support.

•According to a recent economic index, First Night Boston generates $47 million dollars for Boston businesses in the fourth quarter. This figure does not include the admission fee (button revenue)."

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First Night
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