Don’t get caught stuck to a barstool in lieu of ringing in the new year. The last day of 2006 is a time for changes. Make this year the year you actually remember singing the chorus of “Auld Lang Syne.”
First Night Springfield, a family-friendly, alcohol-free holiday celebration, boasts a wealth of entertainment from the local arts community. From St. Andrew’s Dancers to Suzy and the Smokers, the all-day festivities offer a little something for everyone — and if you can’t handle ushering in 2007 without a Champagne toast, get your guzzle on at a local bar after the fireworks.
1-1:30 p.m.
Springfield Ballet Company (Springfield High School Auditorium)
1:45-2:15 p.m.
“Whip Guy” Chris Camp (SHS Auditorium)
2:30-3 p.m.
The Magic of Jeff Harping (SHS Auditorium), DePriest Puppet Show (Commons Area, SHS)
3:15-3:45 p.m.
Brian the Juggler (SHS Auditorium)
5-6:30 p.m.
Mark Gifford, Organ Concert (SHS Auditorium)
7-7:45 p.m.
St. Andrew’s Pipes and Drums, Celtic (Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library); Elvis Himselvis, variety (Chase Bank lobby); Mária Horváth, gospel and classical (Christ Episcopal Church); Jill Benoit and Michael Davis, bluegrass, folk, and country (First Presbyterian Church); Central Baptist Church Praise Band, family variety (Central Baptist Church); Parker, Roate & Caspary, youth performances (Central Baptist Church); The Mime Company, theater (Hoogland Center for the Arts); Springfield Youth Performance Group, dance (Hoogland Center for the Arts); Monica Hay, variety (Hoogland Center for the Arts); Springfield Ballet Company, dance (Hoogland Center for the Arts); Dulcimer Players, historical variety (Lincoln Home Visitor Center); Abdul Shabazz, comedy (Lincoln Library); 1800s Period Ball (Old State Capitol); Oysters Rockefeller, jazz and blues (US Bank lobby); Millennium Art Experience, multimedia performances (Washington & Sixth); Darren Best, ice sculpture (Firestone Building); Donner Party of 5, rock, 7:15-8 p.m. (Club 12/31, 210 Broadway)
8-8:45 p.m.
The Prairie Aires, Celtic (Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library); Catch the Twain, historical variety (Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library); Salt n’ Pepper Band, variety and big band (Chase Bank lobby); Four Sopranos, gospel and classical (Christ Episcopal Church); Greta, Grits & Gravy, bluegrass, folk, and country (First Presbyterian); The Magic of Jeff Harping, family variety (Central Baptist); Debbie Eddy Flute Choir, youth performances (Central Baptist); Springfield Theatre Centre, theater (Hoogland Center for the Arts); Saint Andrew’s Dancers, dance (Hoogland Center for the Arts); Frank’s Discount Lounge Act, variety (Hoogland Center for the Arts); Downstate Illinois Shape Note Singers, historical variety (Lincoln Home Visitor Center); Grace Smith, comedy (Lincoln Library); 1800s Period Ball (Old State Capitol); Footprints with Virgil Rhodes, jazz and blues (US Bank lobby); Millennium Art Experience, multimedia performances (Washington and Sixth); Last Call, rock, 8:30-9:15 p.m. (Club 12/31)
9-9:45 p.m.
Exorna, Celtic (Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library); Cambric Garden, historical variety (Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library); Charlie Rogers Big Band, big band (Chase Bank lobby); Mighty Sons of Zion, gospel and classical (Christ Episcopal Church); Second Harvest, bluegrass, folk, and country (First Presbyterian); Brian the Juggler, family variety (Central Baptist); Easily Amused Improv Comedy Troupe, youth performances (Central Baptist); Springfield Muni Opera, theater (Hoogland Center for the Arts); Capitol Collection Barbershop Quartet, variety (Hoogland Center for the Arts); Meet the Lincolns, program and photo opportunity (Lincoln Home Visitor Center); Gus, comedy (Lincoln Library); 1800s Period Ball (Old State Capitol); Black Magic Johnson, jazz and blues (US Bank lobby); Millennium Art Experience, multimedia performances (Washington and Sixth); Darren Best, ice sculpture (Firestone Building); Box Social, rock, 9:45-10:30 p.m. (Club 12/31)
10-10:45 p.m.
Exorna, Celtic (Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library); Catch the Twain, historical variety (Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library); Charlie Rogers Big Band, big band (Chase Bank lobby); Sangamon Woodwind Consort, gospel and classical (Christ Episcopal Church); Kimmy Jo, bluegrass, folk, and country (First Presbyterian); The Magic of Jeff Harping, family variety (Central Baptist); The Mime Company, theater (Hoogland Center for the Arts); Troupe Zahava, dance (Hoogland Center for the Arts); Frank’s Discount Lounge Act, variety (Hoogland Center for the Arts); Chris Vallillo, historical variety (Lincoln Home Visitor Center); Kenny Metroff, comedy (Lincoln Library); Suzy and the Smokers, jazz and blues (US Bank lobby); Millennium Art Experience, multimedia performances (Washington and Sixth); Darren Best, ice sculpture (Firestone Building); Midnight Fall, rock, 11-11:45 p.m. (Club 12/31)
11-11:45 p.m.
Charlie Rogers Big Band, big band (Chase Bank lobby), Tony and Fran Faeth, gospel and classical (Christ Episcopal Church), Kimmy Jo, bluegrass, folk, and country, (First Presbyterian), Brian the Juggler, family variety (Central Baptist), Springfield Muni Opera, theater (Hoogland Center for the Arts), Sentimental Journey, variety (Hoogland Center for the Arts); Chris Vallillo, historical variety (Lincoln Home Visitor Center); Kevin Kinner, comedy (Lincoln Library); Suzy and the Smokers, jazz and blues (US Bank Lobby); Millennium Art Experience, multimedia performances (Washington and Sixth); Darren Best, ice sculpture (Firestone Building)
12 a.m.
Fireworks Finale (Fourth and Capitol)
First Night Venues
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, 112 N. Sixth St.
Chase Bank, Sixth & Washington
Central Baptist Church, Fourth & Jackson
Christ Episcopal Church, 611 E. Jackson St.
Club 12/31 (formerly On Broadway), 210 Broadway
First Presbyterian Church, 321 S. Seventh St.
Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St.
Lincoln Library, 326 S. Seventh St.
Lincoln Home National Historic Site, 426 S. Seventh
Old State Capitol, One Old State Capitol Plaza
Springfield High School, 101 S. Lewis St.
U.S. Bank, Fifth & Adams
Park for Free
State Lot BB — SW corner of Fifth and Capitol
Star Parking Lot — Sixth Street, across from the
Bucari Building
System Parking Ramp — Sixth and Capitol
(Herndon Ramp)
Municipal Ramp — Capitol and Eighth
System Parking — lot 812, Jackson Street across from Christ Episcopal Church
System Parking — lot 804, Fifth Street across
from YWCA
Municipal Ramp — Fourth & Washington
Lincoln Home Visitor Parking Lot — Seventh Street
Old State Capitol — underground
(hourly rates apply)
Button-Purchase Info
Advance: adults $10, ages 5-18 $5, family pack (two adults, two youth) $25, group pack (20 adults) $180
Door: adults $15, ages 5-18 $5
For information on advance-purchase sites or to
purchase buttons, visit www.springfieldartsco.org.
For information, call the Springfield Area Arts Council, 217-753-3519