By Kevin Coughlin
If you’ve never experienced First Night Morris County, this New Year’s Eve is the ideal time to give it a whirl.
Organizers are pulling out all the stops for a 25th anniversary celebration that they promise will get 2017 off to a memorable start.
Nearly 90 events –art, comedy, dance and music for all ages–will fill 27 venues, all within an easy walk or a free shuttle ride in downtown Morristown.
The alcohol-free fun starts at 4:45 pm and continues to midnight–with two fireworks shows thrown in.
“It’s a great night to be adventurous,” said Dr. Lynn Siebert, who is marking her 10th year as First Night’s artistic programmer for Morris Arts.
“Try a few things you might not otherwise see, and see if you discover a new passion in your life.”
Admission badges are $20 if purchased by Dec. 21, 2016; group discounts are available. If you buy from either the Atlantic Health Foundation or the Boy Scouts’ Patriots Path Council by Dec. 15, those organizations will share some of the proceeds.
‘WHO DOTH INHABIT THE PRIMARY POSITION?’
There are so many acts to choose from, it’s almost hard to know where to start.
Wait– we know exactly where to start: The First Night Morris mobile app.
“This year we have revamped our web site, optimized our print program and even redeveloped our mobile app, after a very successful launch of it last year,” said First Night Director Craig Schlosser.
At a time when First Nights are struggling across the country, this one actually is growing–10 percent bigger than last year, according to Schlosser.
“First Night is stronger than ever,” said Co-Chair Ayne Klein. “The program offerings are diverse and inclusive of all ages, ethnicities, and social and economic levels… we even have former rescue dogs performing which is a real first.”
Rescue dogs?
That would be Ringling Brothers graduate Johnny Peers and the Muttville Comix, a collection of 18 rescue dogs combining circus tricks and slapstick humor.
If your comedic tastes tend toward the Shakespearean, check out the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s take on Abbott & Costello’s famous “Who’s on First?” routine.
Last Comic Standing comedians Erin Jackson and Keith Alberstadt will do their thing. More laughs are anticipated from hypnotist Mr. Hypno and illusionist Benjamin Lipman.
“We’ve added a little extra comedy, given how grim the times might be for some people,” Siebert said. “We want to keep it a positive, happy night.”
Slideshow photos of First Night Morris 2017 performers; hover for captions
MUSIC FROM A TO Uke
Cousin Earth should make sure of that. This Brooklyn-based ukulele rock band–yes, you read that right–was the surprise sensation of this year’s New Jersey Ukulele Festival. Here’s a taste:
Video: Cousin Earth cranks it to 11
Fans of virtually all genres of music should find something appealing, from Broadway to choral, classical to jazz, folk to country. You even can hear Yankee Stadium organist Ed Alstrom and his quartet– with Rob Paparozzi (Blood, Sweat and Tears) on harmonica.
Brian LeBlanc and his band will perform tributes to John Lennon, Billy Joel, Johnny Cash and Neil Diamond, among others.
Nicki Parrott, former bassist for the late Les Paul, will join guitar wizards Frank Vignola and Vinny Raniolo. The ever popular Bishop of Jazz, Rio Clemente, returns. Also back are Mike Agranoff of the Folk Project, and the Harmonium Choral Society.
There is a Patsy Cline tribute, and a Philadelphia jug band.
The wider world also is well represented, with Latin, Chinese and Spanish dance; and music from Africa, Brazil, the Caribbean, India, Israel, Japan and Mexico, among other places.
A kids program includes face-painting, jugglers, storytellers, hula hoops, Legos and live reptiles.
Of course, there is a flea circus. And this just scratches the surface.
“I’m excited about the whole thing,” Siebert said. “It’s a tribute to all the people who have worked so hard to make this happen.”
Check back here for more as First Night Morris approaches.
MorristownGreen.com is a proud sponsor of First Night Morris County.
MORE ABOUT FIRST NIGHT MORRIS 2017
It’s a banner day to be reading Morristown Green. Sold! Hey! Maybe the Great Swamp film could be shown that afternoon at Redeemer or elsewhere. It pulls people into town to support local businesses for lunch then as well.