THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 16, 1995 TAG: 9511160716
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 05 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SCOTT McCASKEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines
Although many artists are now busy in behind-the-scenes workshops and studios, their labors soon will materialize in an elaborate and novel party.
On New Year's Eve, historic Ghent and the city's downtown business district will be the stage for the inaugural First Night Norfolk, an alcohol-free, family oriented celebration of the performing and visual arts.
First Night galas are held in more than 150 cities nationwide. Norfolk hopes to make this event an annual affair, with an expected turnout of at least 50,000 people. Some 50 amateur and professional artists will present 100 programs at 30 indoor and outdoor locations.
``It's catching on like wildfire,'' said Karen Scherberger, director of Festevents, which is producing the party. ``It's like people sense being a part of the show instead of just being an audience.''
A ``Call To Local Artists'' went out in late August. Amateurs and professionals were asked to submit presentation proposals that embrace First Night's ``passage of time'' theme. Their finished works should provide a diverse look and feel.
``It's an interesting mix,'' said Mark Watson, who as arts manager for the Norfolk Commission on the Arts and Humanities helped select some of the artists. ``We've got people from the Virginia Opera and the Virginia Ballet Theater, but we also have a lot of community artists we didn't know were out there.''
Festivities will begin at 3 p.m. New Year's Eve with a Mayor's Walk from Blair Middle School to the Hague. Families and artists will join Mayor Paul D. Fraim in a procession of banners and costumes, culminating with music and dancing at the official kickoff set for 4 p.m. in Stone Park by the Hague.
Once activities begin, it will be virtually impossible to be in Ghent or downtown and avoid the gala. Poetry reading to fire-eating, classical to avant-garde, some sort artistic expression will be on nearly every corridor, as well as in the theaters, landmarks and storefronts. Food and non-alcoholic beverage vendors also will be plentiful.
Among the more novel goings-on are a bonfire of past New Year's regrets at the d'Art Center and a Chinese New Year celebration at the Friendship Park Pagoda.
The evening will reach its apogee with a countdown-to-midnight fireworks display over the Elizabeth River.
Free trolleys will provide access to all program sites. There also will be free shuttles from Military Circle. The shopping center is a major sponsor of the event and is hosting instructional workshops to help the public make banners, costumes, masks and other objects of revelry.
Many of First Night's 100 programs are free. Other shows - predominantly indoors - require special buttons for admittance. Buttons are $5 for adults, $3 for children age 10 and under, and will be available for purchase at Military Circle, the Festevents office, and locations in Ghent and downtown Norfolk.
The First Night celebration was established by artists in Boston in 1976 and is designed to be a family-focused, wholesome affair. The International Alliance of First Night Celebrations, which offers basic directional assistance, gave Norfolk official approval on Aug. 8.
I think this is long overdo,'' said John Ickes, director of the Doorway Singers, a period vocal group that will perform on the steps of the Customs House. ``It's great that Norfolk is finally getting into this.'' ILLUSTRATION: FIRST NIGHT INFO
Pre-event workshops (open to anyone): Noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 2 and
Dec. 16 at Shulman's Court in Military Circle, and from 1 to 3 p.m.
Dec. 31 at Blair Middle School and other Ghent and downtown
locations.
Artists and volunteers: Festevents is still looking for street
performers, food and beverage vendors, and volunteers.
Call Festevents at 441-2345 for more information.
by CNB