First things last
So long 2008, hello First Night festivities
The time has come to stick a fork in 2008. From the Celtics championship and the historic presidential election to the Patriots Super Bowl defeat and the economic collapse, it has been a year of extreme highs and lows. One of the best, and cheapest, ways to put the year in the rearview mirror is to head out and enjoy the festivities of First Night and start 2009 with a bang. The combinations of ways to spend your New Year's Eve are endless, so we've compiled a highlight list to help you choose your own First Night adventure.
First Night buttons are $18 (children under 4 are free) and available at dozens of locations, including supermarkets and convenience stores.
JUMP TO: Music | Performance | Film | Family | Visual Art
Brush up your samba, merengue, and cha cha with this lively Latin dance band. 9:30-10:45 p.m. Hynes Convention Center, Plaza Level Exhibit Hall A
Unleash your inner teenager with Boston garage rock at its finest. 7:30-9:30 p.m. Boston Common, Parkman Bandstand
The West African guitarist serves up a smattering of global sounds. 9:30-11 p.m. Hynes Convention Center, Plaza Level, Exhibit Hall A
A selection of classic arias and duets and lesser-known gems. 9-9:45 p.m., 10:15-11 p.m. Emmanuel Church
For those who want to greet 2009 with some fine Americana music. 9:30-11 p.m. Hynes Convention Center, Exhibit Hall A
The Berklee College of Music alum - a noted composer and pianist - will lead her quartet through a set that fuses jazz, classical, and prog-rock. (The early set will be broadcast on WGBH as part of NPR's "Toast of the Nation"). 7:45-9 p.m., 9:30-10:30 p.m. Berklee Performance Center.
COMMONWEALTH SHAKESPEARE, "SHAKESPEARE ON LOVE"
All of Boston is a stage on this night, and some of the players will be taking to the boards at the Orpheum to interpret the works of the Bard. Expect an amalgam of sonnets, soliloquies, and scenes that illuminate the language of romance. 9:15-10 p.m., 10:30-11:15 p.m. Orpheum Theatre
"700 BILLION LAUGHS" - THE FIRST NIGHT COMEDY SHOW
Laugh away the stress of 2008 with comics Tony V and Kenny Rogerson. 7:45-8:30 p.m., 9-9:45 p.m., 10:15-11 p.m. Hynes Convention Center, Exhibit Hall D
The Somerville troupe performs old-time radio dramas. 7:30-9 p.m. Orpheum Theatre
See if you agree with the judges about who offers the best stories, insights, and comic observations. 7:30-8, 8:15-8:45, 9-9:30, 9:45-10:15, 10:30-11 p.m. Hynes Convention Center, Room 208
Eye-popping moves from Boston's all-male hip-hop dance crew. 9:30-10, 10:30-11 p.m. John Hancock Hall
JUDITH BLACK "THE FADING SCENT"
A comic and poignant rant on women and aging. 8-9 p.m., 9:30-10:30 p.m. Hynes Convention Center, Room 313
ROXBURY FILM FESTIVAL, "TOP OF THE ROX"
This year's edition offers four of the best from the 2008 festival including prize winners "Afia" (Best Narrative Short Film), a 10-minute piece following a young girl with issues at school, and "Black Ice" (Best Documentary), about the Colored Hockey League of the Maritimes. 7:30-11 p.m. (Check www.firstnight.org for film start times). Hynes Convention Center, Plaza Level, Room 200
FESTIVAL OF INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILMS Warm up for a spell by checking out this collection of family-friendly flicks curated by the MFA staff. 1:15-2 p.m., 2:30-3:15 p.m., 3:45-4:30 p.m. Museum of Fine Arts, Remis Auditorium
The local filmmaker offers a program of her short films. 7:30-11 p.m. Hynes Convention Center, Plaza Level, Room 311
Stop in at any time and catch some of the most popular works in Japanese animation. 1-6, 7:30-11 p.m. (check www.firstnight.org for specific film start times). Hynes Convention Center, Plaza Level Room 312
This one combines music and movies, with live accompaniment provided for two classic short animated films. 2:30-3:15 p.m., 3:45-4:30 p.m. Hynes Convention Center, Room 200
HOOPS AT THE HALL WITH GLEN "BIG BABY" DAVIS
The sensitive Celtic will be going to the net with kids - that means under age 14, all you youthful-looking dads out there - and no doubt telling tales of the big championship win. There will also be cake to celebrate "Baby" 's 23d birthday. 5-7 p.m. Faneuil Hall Marketplace
YO-YO PEOPLE "LOOP THE LOOP SHWOOP HOOP SHOW"
Married performers John and Rebecca showcase their mad unicyle, hula hoop, and yo-yo skills. 3:30-4:15, 4:45-5:30 p.m. Hynes Convention Center, Room 302
Get a quick adrenaline shot with this extreme skate and bike stunt team. 1-1:15 p.m., 2-2:15 p.m., 3-3:15 p.m. Hynes Convention Center, Exhibit Hall D
ESTRELLA TROPICALES "THE CHILDREN ARE OUR FUTURE"
The Mission Hill group performs a synchronized baton twirling routine. 4-4:30 p.m., 5-5:30 p.m. Hynes Convention Center, Exhibit Hall D
Come prepared to shout out crazy scenarios in this family-friendly take on anything-goes humor. 3:30-4:15 p.m., 4:45-5:30 p.m. Hynes Convention Center, Plaza Level, Exhibit Hall A
BEEHIVE ART CHILDREN'S ART STUDIO AND GALLERY
Let the little ones express their creative side at this DIY event. 1-6 p.m. Hynes Convention Center, Plaza Level, Exhibit Hall A
BIRD ST. COMMUNITY CENTER "SCULPTURE 4 CHANGE"
This Upham Street organization hopes to help build strong minds and bodies, and thus futures, for the kids who drop in. Those same kids, as well as artists from the neighborhood, collaborated on this piece, which includes found objects and spoken word components. noon-6 p.m. Hynes Convention Center, Room 202
Dancing dragons, peppy puppets, festive fife and drum corps - the big parade has them all. 5:30-7 p.m. Boylston Street
It wouldn't be First Night without these annual ephemeral artworks. On Boston Common near Park Street and the Frog Pond and at Copley Square
Been waiting to see it? Here's your chance, with free admission for button holders. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
FIREWORKS
Take a moment to appreciate the colors of 2008 before plunging into 2009. 7 p.m., Boston Common; Midnight, Boston Harbor 