In with a bang

Nice knowing you, 2007. What's up, 2008? First Night is throwing a big party on New Year's Eve, and you're the guest of honor.

Whether you're celebrating the end of 2007, a year that aside from the Red Sox was actually pretty forgettable, or anticipating the promise of more Boston sports glory and presidential campaign foibles in 2008, Dec. 31 is a night to make merry. And because it seems like we're having a real winter (we've been shoveling a lot of that global warming off the sidewalk lately), why not make it a real New Year's Eve experience at Boston's First Night, the grandmother of all First Night bashes.

The full schedule is available at firstnight.org and is also handed out with your First Night button ($20, $15 advance, children under 4 free; on sale at locations throughout Boston), but we've come up with a list of highlights, broken down by style of revelry, to help you sort out the dizzying array of entertainment.

You want your First Night straight-up and simple - good music, good feelings, and good vibes.

New Year's Swingin' Eve Dance Party with Marie Lawlor Get ready, set, and swing with songs from the big band era. Easy instructions provided. 9:30-11 p.m. Hynes Convention Center, ballroom, 900 Boylston St.

Beyond Broadway Visit the Great White Way through the voices and musical stylings of John O'Neil and Jan Peters. Shows at 10 and 11:15 p.m. Boston Public Library, Rabb Hall, 700 Boylston St.

The Amaryllis Chamber Ensemble The sounds of harp, flute, and violin. 3-3:45 p.m. Old South Meeting House, 310 Washington St.

For those who prefer to ring in the new year with faith and reflection.

Hawk Henries's Flute Circle Nipmuc Nation member and flute maker Hawk Henries performs healing music and tells stories with insight and humor. 8-8:45 p.m. and 9:15-10 p.m. Hynes Convention Center, Room 309.

Silver Leaf Gospel Singers This a cappella singing ensemble performs "jubilee," that is, spirituals and gospel music. 9-10 p.m. St. Paul's Cathedral, 138 Tremont St.

Interfaith Service Readings from many faith traditions, including Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Jewish, Hindu, Baha'i, Sufi, and Zoroastrian. Doors open at 11:15 pm for quiet meditation. 11:30 p.m. St. Paul's Cathedral, 138 Tremont St.

Forget tradition - head for the cutting edge.

Birdsongs of the Mesozoic With Oral Moses The self-described post-punk, art-rock group pairs up with the bass-baritone vocalist, a pre-eminent interpreter of traditional spirituals, for new arrangements that build musical bridges from one century to the next. 6-6:45 p.m., 7:45-8:30 p.m. Emmanuel Church, 15 Newbury St.

"An Evening With Nora Joyce, Wife of James Joyce" Sharon Kennedy puts on a one-woman show about the wife of the writer, who was the model for Molly Bloom in "Ulysses." Not for kids, as Nora speaks her mind. Say: "Yes I Will Yes." 8 and 9:30 p.m. Hynes Convention Center, Room 311.

David Parker & the Bang Group's "Annie's Got a Gun" The Broadway show re-imagined as a proto-feminist ode to women with firearms. Parker's musical theater production skewers old standards and, in the process, re-interprets them for a new generation. 9:30 and 10:30 p.m. John Hancock Hall, 180 Berkeley St.

Picasso People Music, mime, and puppetry animate Picasso's masterpieces. 1 and 2:15 p.m. Hynes Convention Center, Room 302.

For the young at heart - and the young of age.

Airborne Comedians These wacky jugglers eschew balls and clubs to toss lawn chairs, electric guitars, and bird baths. Can you say "DUCK!"? 1-1:45 p.m., 2:15-3 p.m. Hynes Convention Center, Hall A.

Brother Blue What would First Night be without the man who always has an answer to: "Tell me a story!" The Cambridge storyteller, who has been at all 32 Boston First Nights, does it again. 8-8:45 p.m. and 9:15-10 p.m. Hynes Convention Center, Room 210.

Spending First Night with parents may seem so, like, totally uncool, but there are offerings that appeal to teens.

Maximum Velocity Kids, don't try this at home. Professional stunt teams try tricks on skates and boards that will leave you dizzy and exhilarated. 1, 2, and 3 p.m. Hynes Convention Center, Hall D.

"Girls Rock!" A 90-minute film in the First Night Film Festival documents a rock 'n' roll camp for girls that shows how music can be an instrument for personal growth. 2:45 p.m. Hynes Conventional Center, Room 312.

Harry and the Potters Suppose Harry of Year 7 met Harry of Year 4? The result is wizard rock. 9:30-10:30 p.m. Hynes Convention Center auditorium.

Think of First Night as something you make, not just watch.

Art Party Make tiaras, wands, and hats and/or decorate lanterns and dough figurines with the Greater Boston Chinese Cultural Association. 1-6 p.m. Hynes Convention Center, Hall C.

Laughter is the best medicine - and so much cheaper than real medicine.

ImprovBoston Challenge these comedians with joke-defying suggestions. 7:30, 8:45, and 10 p.m. Hynes Convention Center, Hall C.

Comedy With Tony V. and Jimmy Dunn Back for more laughs. 8, 9, and 10 p.m. Orpheum Theatre, 1 Hamilton Place.

Even if you can't take a trip to a sunny country this winter, on this night other lands are accessible by T.

Chu Ling Dance Academy's "Love Triumphs" The Asian-American company performs modern and traditional Chinese folk dances. Half-hour shows at 1:30, 3, and 4:30 p.m. Hynes Convention Center, Hall C.

Fuerza International Dances from Colombia, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic. Half-hour shows at 1, 2:30, and 4 p.m. Hynes Convention Center, Hall C.

Zili Misik This group celebrates Haitian "mizik rasin" (roots music), Jamaican reggae, Afro-Brazilian samba, Afro-Cuban Son, and African-American blues and jazz, going from the sensual to the political with lyrics in English, Kreyòl, Portuguese, and Spanish. 7:30-9 p.m. Hynes Convention Center, Hall A.

Amir Milstein Ensemble The Israeli flutist leads a group of musicians on a tour of world music. 7:30 -8:15 p.m., 8:45-9:30 p.m. Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston St.

First Night Drum Central Young and old drummers will beat out the sound of Afro-Brazilian percussion. 7:30-11 p.m. Hynes Convention Center, Room 302.

FOLK, BLUES, AND ALL THAT JAZZ

Get a head start on singing the '08 blues.

The Art and Time of Nina Simone Valerie Stephens, one of Boston's jazz mistresses, presents highlights from the long career of the "High Priestess of Soul," who died in 2003. 8, 9:15, and 10:30 p.m. Boston Park Plaza Hotel, 64 Arlington St.,

Mashups in Blue Pianist and composer Donal Fox goes from jazz to classical to blues with Bach, Monk, Coltrane, and more. Shows at 9 and 10:15 p.m. Emmanuel Church, 15 Newbury St.

Take a load off and watch a few films.

First Night Film Festival A feast for documentary lovers. 1-6 p.m., 7:30-11 p.m. Hynes Convention Center, Room 312.

New England Anime Society Japanese animation - from live cartoon to printed figures - has become a huge cultural influence. See the best of the old and the new. 1-5 p.m., 7:30-11 p.m. Hynes Convention Center, Room 100.

Top of the Rox: Roxbury Film Festival Shorts from this year's Roxbury Film Festival. 7:30-11 p.m. Hynes Convention Center, Room 200.

Can there be too much organ music? We think not.

American Guild of Organists "Light and Serious Music for the Organ" Varied works. 10-11 p.m. Arlington Street Church, 351 Arlington St.

Heinrich Christensen He's BACH! A recital of Bach compositions by Heinrich Christensen on the chapel's C.B. Fisk Organ. 9- 9:45 p.m. King's Chapel, 58 Tremont St.

Old South's Brass, Organ, and Timpani A variety of classical and seasonal music. 6:30-7:15 p.m. and 8-8:45 p.m. Old South Church, 645 Boylston St.

Think you've seen it all before? Here are two First Night debuts.

Santiago Diaz A native of Mexico, Diaz started playing guitar at age 13 and studied at the National School of Music in Mexico City and the New England Conservatory. He currently tours both Mexico and the United States. 6 and 7:45 p.m., First Church in Boston, 66 Marlborough St.

Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas The music of Southern Louisiana will heat up the cool climes of New England. 8, 9, and 10 p.m. Castle at Park Plaza, Columbus Avenue at Arlington Street.