First Night®–Saint Louis
This year, St. Louis’ largest and most creative New Year’s Eve celebration, will be celebrating its 20th anniversary, and its 10th in Grand Center!
Founded in 1976 in Boston (1991 in St. Louis), First Night® is a community celebration of the coming of the New Year expressed through the arts. First Night’s® mission is to broaden and deepen the public’s appreciation of the arts through an innovative, diverse and high quality program which offers the community a shared cultural experience that is accessible and affordable to all. In order to maximize the participation of people of all ages, First Night® is a non-alcoholic event.
About This Year’s Event Xanadu
A mysterious, imaginative and art-filled experience awaits you on the stages and streets throughout Grand Center with this year’s First Night® theme of “Xanadu.” Drawing inspiration from the 1980 romantic-musical-fantasy film and now pop-cult classic by the same name, “Xanadu” is loosely known as a mythical place that houses the nine muses in Greek Mythology, including art, literature, music, dance and more — perfect inspiration for First Night®. While the muses stay busy in Grand Center year-round in the theaters, art museums, art galleries, schools, churches, restaurants and seasonal events, on December 31, First Night® revelers might catch a glimpse of these apparitions stirring up a little New Year’s Eve magic.
The Grand Center district will be transformed into a magical celebration of the arts through lights, characters, performances and activities that are sure to provide memorable experiences. Grand Boulevard will be illuminated and animated in a colorful display of lights. Add your wish for the New Year in the form of a “sprinkle” that will help decorate our 12 foot tall artificial birthday cake; listen to the sounds of more than 25 musical groups and individuals; watch in amazement as St. Louis native and national star Joel Myers performs his magic and comedy show; gaze in awe at the high-flying, international trampoline sensation and former America’s Got Talent contestant, Flippen’ Out; plan to be hypnotized by Brian Imbus; entertained and amused by Ed Reggi and the Paper Slip Improv comedy troupe; and stare in wonderment at not one, but two spectacular fireworks displays. There’s magic, theater, comedy, drama, dance, art activities and much, much more!
We invite you to a very special party as we transform the streetscapes, buildings, theaters, churches and concert halls throughout Grand Center into a fun, informative and unique way for the community to experience multiple forms of art on an evening where we celebrate the coming of the New Year!
The National Association of Community Based New Year’s Eve Arts Festivals
First Night USA Website
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