Shakespeare Unauthorized pulls back the curtain on four hundred years of collaboration, confusion, and even literary deception that surround the plays, poems, and life of William Shakespeare. Through an unprecedented exhibition of the Boston Public Library’s world-class collections, visitors can view some of the rarest, most extraordinary books in the world and learn about the countless men and women who have made and remade the works of a literary icon.
OrigiNation Cultulral Arts Center was founded in 1994 by its current Artistic & Executive Director Shaumba-Yandje Dibinga. To help Boston ring in 2017, OrigiNation's professional youth dance companies - NIA Dance Troupe, Girlz of IMANI, Aleye Boyz Troupe & IMANI, Jr, will perform a high energy hip hop piece. These dancers are trained in all styles of dance including hip hop, African and contemporary and have toured in South Africa, Ghana, Senegal, England and France. For more information on OrigiNation, visit www.originationinc.org
The GBCCA Chinese Music Ensemble was founded in 1984 with goals to enhance the appreciation of Chinese classical and folk music and to foster the learning of Chinese classical and folk music and musical instruments, etc. The members of the Ensemble have performed at a number of local Universities and colleges, Dragon Festivals, Jordan Hall, and recently performed the national anthem at the NBA basketball game at TD Garden to celebrate "Asian-American Night".
The Melody dance troupe, a semi-professional dance group, affiliated with GBCCA was formed by a group of passionate lovers of traditional Chinese dance, music and performance. The troupe values professionalism in all aspects of the art-from, the choreographers, and authentic traditional costumes. The troupe has performed in many major ethnic and cultural events and also competes at dance festivals.
Limited Seating is available.
There are clues all around Copley Square that are connected to Aesop's Fables. Do we know why these clues are here? What do they refer to? Join Boston By Foot for this free family-friendly tour around Copley Square to find these clues and learn about the fables and stories they represent.
Boston Public Library’s volunteer tour guides will continue the tradition of offering special Art & Architecture Tours on First Night. The free, 30-minute tours will depart every 15 minutes from 1:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. on Saturday December 31st. Guests are asked to pick up a timed ticket from the welcome table in the McKim Building vestibule, through the library’s Dartmouth Street entrance. Tours will introduce visitors to some of the storied 19th-century building’s treasures, including murals by John Singer Sargent and Pierre Puvis de Chavannes.
30-minute tours depart every 15 minutes from 1:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. on Saturday, December 31st
The Greater Boston Chinese Cultural Association (GBCCA) is a non-political, non-profit organization to promote public awareness of Chinese culture and heritage, to enhance the well being and social standing of Chinese Americans; and to provide an environment for people to learn Chinese culture, language, and arts. For more than 20 years, GBCCA has been actively participating the Boston First Night Celebration by providing hands –on arts & crafts activities, dance & music performance, and bringing Lion & dragon dances, and illuminated lanterns, etc. to the Grand Procession.
For more info, please visit www.gbcca.org
There are clues all around Copley Square that are connected to Aesop's Fables. Do we know why these clues are here? What do they refer to? Join Boston By Foot for this free family-friendly tour around Copley Square to find these clues and learn about the fables and stories they represent.
The O'shea Chaplin Academy of Irish Dance has been teaching modern and traditional Irish dancing to children and adults for over 60 years. Their dancers have gone on to win regional, national, and international titles in solo and team dancing. The O'shea Chaplin academy performs at many events throughout new England , including the state house, Fenway Park, and Faneuil Hall to name a few. Their senior dancers have gone on to professional careers in Riverdance and Lord of the Dance. For more information on Irish dancing go to bostonirishdance.com.
The Chinese yo yo was first found in annals of the Ming Dynasty between 1386 and 1644 AD. The yoyo is made of two equal size discs connected by a long axle and spin along sting. The modern day Chinese yo-yo is made of plastic, instead of bamboo or wood, which was used originally. Despite the appearance changes, the Chinese yo-yo remains a popular toy today, and has evolved into a distinctive performance art.
The Chinese Yo-yo Troupe of the Greater Boston Chinese Cultural Association (GBCCA) is mostly made of the students of the advance yoyo class of the Huaxin School of Arts at GBCCA. The GBCCA Yo-yo Troupe has been performed at Boston First Night, Boston Dragon Boat Festivals, Children’s Museum, Boston Science Museum, and numerous other events in Greater Boston area. Their performance features group, duet, and solo tricks.
Lil Phunk the Junior Dance Team for the Boston Celtics was established in 2004 and has performed for the NBA, NWBA, NCAA, KISS 108, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Special Olympics,Tsunami Relief, Radio Disney, Hasbro Toys, Puma, Stride Rite, and many more. Other notable accomplishments include, being featured on Paula Abdul's "Live to Dance", The Maury Povich Show 2010 and Boston Globe 2010. Lilphunk continues to raise awareness for Jared, Sanfilippo Syndrome and the Hip Hop for Hope Movement.
Phunk Phenomenon who recently premiered on MTV's America's Best Dance Crew was established in 1996. Phunk Phenomenon is a Crew of professional Dancers from the Boston Area whose mission is to Educate and Entertain todays youth through a style called EDUTAINMENT. They dance to raise awareness for Jared, Sanfilippo Syndrome and the Hip Hop for Hope movement.
Join The Skating Club of Boston at The Boston Common Frog Pond for a FREE figure skating ice show featuring national and international competitive figure skaters, soloists, groups, and more. Ring in the New Year with a fantastic show that is fun for the whole family!
Visit www.bostonfrogpond.com/firstnight for more information
The First Night culminates with the highly anticipated “Copley Countdown,”presented by City of Boston Credit Union, a multi-sensory display of live music, dazzling light show and pyrotechnics in Copley Square.
*The midnight harbor fireworks have been relocated to Copley Square
Air Traffic Controller have created a place all their own in the indie pop world. Serving in the US Navy as an air traffic controller, singer/songwriter Dave Munro sent home demos written during deployment to his friends. Band-mate and singer/songwriter Casey Sullivan met Dave soon thereafter, and the two forged a collaborative bond that has become the vocal sound of ATC. Winning many awards over the years from Best Indie/Alt. Rock Album and Best Music Producer in 2016, this is a show you won't want to miss!
The First Night culminates with the highly anticipated “Copley Countdown,”presented by City of Boston Credit Union, a multi-sensory display of live music, dazzling light show and pyrotechnics in Copley Square.
*The midnight harbor fireworks have been relocated to Copley Square
Bradley is a 14-year-old solo pianist, tenor saxophonist, vocalist, and composer from Massachusetts. Voted Boston's top Instrumentalist by Young Performer's Club and 2015 Grand Prize Winner at the New England Talent Agency Showcase in Music and Acting, Bradley released his first album of original Blues/Jazz piano solos at the age of 11. He is currently the youngest official solo musical artist at the Historic Faneuil Hall in Boston and performs for thousands of people. He will be performing on January 1, 2017 at Copley Square in Boston at 12:00 Noon. Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year!
Shun was born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in Singapore. In 2012, Shun was awarded a scholarship to Berklee College of Music. Known for his unique and virtuosic style which infuses elements of Soul, Funk, Blues and Jazz, Shun dazzles audiences from all over the world with his flamboyant technique, soulful vocals and hypnotic groove. He stands as one of the most dynamic and innovative performers, winning accolades from legendary producer, Quincy Jones to fellow fingerstyle virtuoso, Tuck Andress.
Ruby Rose Fox, a vocal powerhouse of soul--driven, edgy rock ‘n’ roll (with a nod to new-wave pop), whose voice threatens to knock down the walls of any room in which she performs is making 2016 her strongest year of new releases and live performances.
In July & August 2015 Ruby Rose Fox was both the Improper Bostonian magazine’s pick for Best Musician of 2015 in the “Boston’s Best” issue, and featured on the cover of its 2015 “Music” issue. Ruby also took home the “Best Pop Artist,” and “Best Female Vocalist” honors at the 2015 Boston Music Awards, and was named “Female Performer of the Year,” by the 2016 New England Music Awards.
