dance into the New Year

There’s really no better way to celebrate the new year than with a finely carved ice sculpture.

The 2007 First Night Portsmouth celebration will feature just that, along with a citywide display of music, dancing and fireworks. West African drumming will shake the walls of the Seacoast Repertory Theatre, while dancers swing the night away at the Connie Bean Recreation Center.

Elsewhere, a puppeteer will tell stories at the North Church, interactive Web art will be on display at the South Church and excerpts from the musical “Mitty” will be performed at the West End Studio Theatre.

The evening kicks off with an ice sculpture erected in the afternoon in Market Square and fireworks at the South Mill Pond at 7:30 p.m. Guests are invited to enjoy outdoor music and dancing on Pleasant Street right up until the final countdown to midnight.

These are only a few of the indoor and outdoor activities occurring across the city on the evening of Sunday, Dec. 31. First Night festivities began in Boston in 1976, making this year the 30th annual celebration nationally.

This year’s First Night logo depicts a dancing figure playing a horn beneath the moon, stars and snowflakes. Called “The Dancin’ Man of First Night,” the logo was designed by Portsmouth resident Carolyn Vibbert.

The event is sponsored by Pro Portsmouth Inc., and executive director Barbara Massar recently assured the City Council that good times will be had by all.

“We will have lots of great entertainment,” Massar said.

a complete guide to First Night Portsmouth Activities

Admission buttons purchased for ages 10 and under are $1; for ages 11 and up, buttons purchased in advance are $12, and buttons purchased on New Year's Eve are $15. Advance buttons may be purchased by Dec. 30 at Hannaford in Plaza 800 on Islington Street, the Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce at 500 Market St. and (by noon on Dec. 30) at all Ocean National Bank branches. For more information, visit www.proportsmouth.org or call 603-433-4398. 

Connie Bean Recreation Center
5-5:30 p.m., 6-6:30 p.m. – Sammie Haynes plays music for kids.
5-9 p.m. – Bob Nilson paints caricatures; make your own First Night headbands; face painting
8-9 p.m. – interactive music with T.J. Wheeler’s Good Time Jam Jug Band
10-10:30 p.m., 11-11:30 p.m. – blues and swing with the band Roundhouse

Middle Street Baptist Hall
5:30-6 p.m., 6:30-7 p.m. – harmonies from the Yankee Clipper Chorus
8:15-9 p.m., 9:30-10:15 p.m. – blues and jazz with the band Reef

The North Church
5-5:45 p.m., 6:15-7 p.m. – stories and puppet shows from Martha Dana
8:15-8:45 p.m., 9:15-9:45 p.m. – roots music with the band High Range
10:15-10:45 p.m., 11:15-11:45 p.m. – music with T.J. Wheeler & the Small World Band

The Seacoast Repertory Theatre
8:15-8:45 p.m., 9:15-9:45 p.m. – West African drumming from Foté
10:30-11 p.m., 11:30 p.m.-midnight – ska and reggae with the band Skamasutra

The South Church – Downstairs
5-10 p.m. – interactive digital art with Barbara Jenny

The South Church – Upstairs
5:30-6 p.m., 6:30-7 p.m. – folk music with the band Salt River
8:15-8:45 p.m., 9:15-9:45 p.m. – Celtic and country music with the band Two Old Friends
10:15-10:45 p.m., 11:15 p.m.-midnight – gospel music from Rock My Soul

Temple Israel
5-5:30 p.m., 6-6:30 p.m. – jazz, ballet and contemporary dance from Ballet New England
8-8:30 p.m., 9-9:30 p.m. – excerpts from “All About Dance” from Seacoast Civic Dance Company
10:15-10:45 p.m., 11:15 p.m.-midnight – acoustic, world fusion and jazz performed by Randy Armstrong

United Methodist Church Hall
8:15-8:45 p.m., 9:15-9:45 p.m., 10:15-10:45 p.m. – classics from the Beatles

West End Studio Theatre
5-5:30 p.m., 6-6:30 p.m. – excerpts from the musical “Mitty” by the N.H. Theatre Project/Genevieve Aichele
8:30-9 p.m., 9:30-10 p.m. – “It’s a Wonderful Life” by the Pontine Theatre

outdoor activities
afternoon – ice sculpture in front of the North Church
5 p.m.-midnight – dancing on Pleasant Street
7:30 p.m. – fireworks display at the South Mill Pond