Performing Artists 2012
Buy your button and "button-up" for nine hours of entertainment! Check back often for the latest updates! Classical to Jazz, Blues to Rock, Hip-Hop to Folk, we've got it! FNM 2012 has a complete line-up to delight the entire family. Click the links below the photos to visit the performer's website.
STYLE KEY:
BL=Blues | CH=Childrens' | CL=Classical | DA=Dance | FK=Folk/Celtic/Americana | FM=Film | JZ=Jazz
LT=Latin | PT=Puppet Theatre | RR=Rock/Reggae/Hip-Hop | SW=Spoken Word/Comedy | WM=World Music
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Twilight Procession Alvarado Street, from Portola Plaza to Pearl Street 5:30 PM Join us as we process down Alvarado Street from Portola Plaza towards Pearl Street. The Procession starts at 5:30PM. First Night Monterey is first and foremost about community, so we hope you will join us in the Twilight Processional as we feature, artists, stilt walkers, dancers, giant puppets, marching moms and many other local friends and neighbors. Parade route begins at Portola Plaza down Alvarado Street (wrong way) towards Pearl.
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Abdoulaye Diallo and Tam Tam Sacre'e(WM/CH) Site: Alvarado Street Wells Fargo Stage 6:15-7:00; 7:15-8:00 PM Master drummer, Abdoulaye Diallo, a native of Senegal, with Tam Tam Sacre'e will lead his multicultural performance group in playing traditional West African rhythms, guaranteed to lift your spirit and move your feet. Start your new year with a Bang! | |
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Alta California Dance Company (CH,DA,LT) Site:
25: Conference Center Colton Room 2 & 3 3:15-3:45, 4:00-4:30, 4:45-5:15 PM Celebrate the life and customs of California's Mexican rancho era
as this ensemble brings to life the dances, music, and dress of old California! Audience participation is encouraged! |
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Art Attacks! Site: In the streets, venue lobbies and any place First Nighters are! Time:
During First Night! Bringing together youth and adults, these spontaneous
celebrations light the streets on fire! Our lively troupes of drummers, dancers
and stilt walkers will warm you with the spirit of the coming year. | ||
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Best Buy Presents First Night Rock Star! (RR) Site:
18a: Alvarado Street/Golden State Theatre 6:15-11:00 PM At some point, we've all dreamed about becoming a rock ‘n’ roll celebrity. Now you can feel the thrill of becoming a virtual rock star. Stop by, find your rhythm and catch the beat! Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. |
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The Black Irish Band (FK.WM) Site: 23: Conference Center Steinbeck Forum 7:00-7:45; 8:00-8:45; 9:00-9:45; 10:00-10:45 PM This group from the historic Gold Rush Country captures the spirit of the Irish, Scottish, Italian, and American folk music and always leaves the audience shouting for more. The band plays songs, shanties, ballads and instrumentals dating back to the early 1700s. |
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Blues at Eleven (BL) Site: 19: Conference Center Serra Ballroom 6:30-7:15; 7:30-8:15 PM This six-member band, led by local keyboard wizard Tom Lawson, combines the energy of rock with the passion of the blues and has a broad appeal. Blues at Eleven’s eclectic mix of blues, rock, funk and jazz is a sure way to ignite a crowd! |
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John "Broadway" Tucker (BL) (Finale Performer) Site: 19: Conference Center Serra Ballroom 9:00-9:45; 10:00-10:45; FINALE! 11:15-Midnight For over 30 years John “Broadway” Tucker has been performing on the West Coast in festivals including the San Francisco Blues Festival in 2000. Tucker, a 2006 Monterey Bay Blues Festival MOBAY Award recipient and the 2010 Bay Area Blues Society Blues Band of the Year, has released 5 CDs including his most recent recording "Somebody New". Tucker will be joined on the main stage at this year's First Night Celebration by an all-star cast of Bay Area musicians including keyboardist Luca Fredericksen; guitarist Ken Arconti; bassist Craig Owens; drummer Skylar Campbell; and a horn section composed of Roger Eddy, Todd Clickard and Brian Stock |
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Carmel Academy of Performing Arts - Team CAPA (DA) Site:
24: Conference Center Ferrante Room 3:15-3:45; 4:00-4:30; 4:45-5:15 PM These high energy dancers from 5 to 17 years of age perform jazz, hip hop, and contemporary style dances to various genres of music. |
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Carmel River Dance Crew (DA,CH,RR)) Site: 3: Pacific Street Colton Lawn 3:15-3:45; 4:00-4:30; 4:45-5:15 PM Carmel River Dance Crew will be dancing with Junkman to his Grammy nominated song “Litterbug”. This group of dancers, aged 7 to 10, will dance their original choreographed piece for First Nighters. |
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Face Painters! Site: 1: Colton Lawn 3:30-5:15 PM, ongoing Site: 21: Conference Center Mezzanine Level 6:00 - 10:00 PM, ongoing Valley of Artists; Local Greenfield art class provides colorful designs for our faces and hands! The line can be long, so get here early! |
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Greek Village Dancers of the Monterey Peninsula (DA,FK) Site: 10: Alvarado Street Galleria 6:30-7:00; 7:15-7:45; 8:00-8:30 PM The lively and vibrant Greek Village Dancers will perform
intricate folk dances wearing stunning authentic costumes. Audience
participation is welcome; simple dance steps will be taught. |
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Grumbling Ginger (FK/RR) Site:
24: Conference Center Ferrante Room 6:30-7:00; 7:15-7:45; 8:00-8:30 PM Original acoustic folk-rock with a Celtic twist that First Nighters love. Featuring lead vocals and songwriting by UK recording artist Jana Heller, a Grumbling Ginger concert recreates the atmosphere of a British folk club with songs and storytelling. Jana is joined by percussionist Andrew Gilhooley and vocalist Shannon Miller. |
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CSUMB First Night Film Festival (FM) Site:
28:Maritime Museum Historic Theatre 3:30 - 5:15 PM, ongoing CSUMB students present original films in their First Night 2012 festival, comprised of nine short narrative and documentary films. Click here to see details of the films to be presented. |
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I Cantori di Carmel (CL,JZ,FK) Site:
26: Carleton Hall (Monterey Center for Spiritual Living) 6:30-7:00; 7:15-7:45; 8:00-8:30 PM A long-standing favorite of First Night Monterey's concert-goers! This year, I Cantori is celebrating 30 years performing on the Monterey Peninsula. The group performs choral music that spans the range of styles from classical to jazz and Broadway. |
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Heartstrings Monterey (CL,FK,WM) Site:
24: Conference Center Ferrante Room 3:15-3:45; 4:00-4:30; 4:45-5:15 PM This ensemble of violin, bass, hammered dulcimer, mandolin and guitar brings a fresh sound to traditional acoustic music from all over the world. Heartstrings is:
Paulette Lynch (Hammered Dulcimer), Laura Burian (Violin), Pat Skinner (Mandolin), Marj Ingram Viales (Guitar), Rick Chelew (Bass). |
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James Hurley (BL,JZ,RR) Site: 25: Conference Center Colton Room 6:45-7:15; 7:30-8:00; 8:15-8:45 PM James Hurley leads the listener through a diverse catalog of original songs that reflects influences ranging from swing-era jazz and blues to the rock and pop of the British invasion. He has been described by Folkworks magazine as "One of the Top Ten Live Acoustic Male Singer-Songwriters in L.A.” |
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Junkman Jam (CH,RR) Site 1: Colton Lawn Stage, with the Carmel River Dance Crew 3:45-4 ;15; 4:45-5:15 PM Site 14a: Alvarado Street / GST 7:45 - 8:30, 9:15 - 10:00 PM Donald Knaack (aka The
Junkman) travels to the beat of a different drummer. A conservatory-trained
percussionist, he now exclusively composes-for and performs-on junk and
recycled materials. It's called Junk Music: a unique collection of infectious grooves and
musical styles that's gaining audiences from every spectrum of the music business – from
rock to jazz to world music. A Junk Jam consists of all audience members being
participants, either by playing a provided stick and piece of junk, or by chanting to environmental
phrases The Junkman has devised to fit into the general rhythmic flow. The Junkman
takes the audience on a musical/community journey, where every participant can feel the power of being a part of a large musical ensemble and the sense of community that comes from being a part of a large musical community. He also has exercises the participants execute including different rhythms, mirroring and dynamics. He then divides the audience into teams and develops four part rhythmic counterpoints. The great fun happens when The Junkman instructs everyone to be free and improvise to the beat – the Junk Jam has begun. Everyone is a musician at the junk jam! Catch the rhythmic flow, as you participate in this community musical ensemble. Feel the beat and become part composer, part musician! Have a voice and willing to share? Become part of the choir and chant to the music! |
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Kuzanga Marimba (DA,CH,WM) Site: 24: Conference Center Ferrante Room 9:15-10:00; 10:15-11:00 PM Whenever Kuzanga Marimba plays in public, a crowd gathers, enticed by the irresistible rhythm and unusual sound. Kuzanga’s repertoire is drawn from the Shona people of Zimbabwe, with each song telling a story. The band performs arrangements based on traditional music as well as contemporary pieces composed specifically for marimba. |
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MC Lars (SW/RR) Site:
13: Alvarado Street Rabobank Stage 8:30-9:15; 9:30-10:15 PM International artist from the Monterey Peninsula has as an unique voice in hip-hop and has performed at First Night since the very beginning. His rhymes are intelligent, thought-provoking and funny. Want to hear "Moby Dick" re-told as a rap or learn about the perils of online dating? It's all here with MC Lars!
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Peter Meuse Mobile Recording Studio Site: 12: Alvarado Street Walgren's Entrance 3:30-11:00 PM, ongoing Play an instrument make a CD at The Mobile Recording Studio! Peter presents a very unique opportunity for people of all ages to step into a professional audio recording environment. You can learn about the equipment, make your own music, listen to playback and even take home your own CD. | |
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Monterey Bay Lion Dance Team (DA) Site: 10: Alvarado Street Galleria 9:00-9:30; 9:45-10:15; 10:30-11:00 PM This traditional Chinese Lion Dance troupe performs fun, high-energy dance to the rhythms of drum, cymbal, and gong players. They will capture your imagination and lift your spirit |
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Monterey Symphony Brass Quintet (CL,JZ) Site: 26: Carleton Hall (Monterey Center for Spiritual Living 3:30-4:15; 4:30-5:15 PM A Repertoire of music that spans more than five centuries, from the Italian Renaissance to American Dixieland and Jazz. |
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Park Avenue Studio of Bellydance (CH,CL,DA) Site:
25: Conference Center Colton Room 9:00-9:30; 9:45-10:15; 10:30-11:00 PM Park Avenue Bellydancers present classic, ethnic and modern styles of belly dance in ensemble and solo performances. You will be transported to another time as the many faces of belly dance come alive! Suitable for the entire family. |
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Ramon Silva Folklorico (CH,DA, FK) Site: 10: Alvarado Strret Galleria 3:45-4:15; 4:30-5:00 PM Childrens' Folkloric Dance troupe performs for First Nighters. |
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Sambahemians (FF,FK,LT) Site: 15: Alvarado Street Wells Fargo Stage 8:30-9:14; 9:30-10:15 PM Site: 15: Alvarado St. Wells Fargo Stage 8:45-9:30; 9:45-10:30 PM Energetic, upbeat, and a real crowd pleaser best describe this local Brazilian percussion group. Playing an arrangement authentic Brazilian carnival beats and syncopated rhythms from all regions of Brazil. This spirited and colorful group of drummers and dancers are known for getting crowds to dance in the streets! |
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Shinsho Mugen Daiko (Taiko Drummers) (WM) Site: 2: Pacific Street Stage - Opening Ceremony 3:15-3:45; 4:15-4:45 PM Hear them roar! Calling us to begin the countdown to 2012, experience the thunderous roar and exquisite physicality of these Taiko Drummers as they perform traditional Japanese drumming. |
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Smoking Gun (RR) Site: 13: Alvarado Street Rabobank Stage 3:45-4:15; 4:30-5:00 PM Rock and Roll from Grateful Dead to the Rolling Stones to Santana and the newest Beats. |
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Sophia Songhealer (WM) Site:7: Monterey Museum of Art 3:15-3:45; 4:00-4:30; 4:45-5:15 PM Uplifting vocal music, Sophia brings magic to the world of music, sense and soul. |
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Thom and his Cats (FK,JZ,RR) Site: 19: Conference Center Serra Ballroom 3:30-4:15; 4:30-5:15 PM Experience the Big Band Sound of the 40's, 50's and 60's with Thom and His Cats, Monterey locals. Thom and His Cats will get you dancing and celebrating! |
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Trio Amanhã (JZ) Site: 26: Carleton Hall (Monterey Center for Spiritual Living) 9:00-9:30; 9:45- 10:15; 10:30-11:00 PM Exciting rhythms combine with beautiful melodies to create the unique and vibrant style, Brazilian music. The trio will perform works that cover many Brazilian musical styles –from samba to bossa nova, baião, choro and more. Trio Amanhã recently played for the Cabrillo Music Festival of Contemporary Music. Tri Amanhã includes: Vivian Simon: Flute and saxophone, Pablo Riviere: Guitar and vocals, and Michaelle Goerlitz: Percussion. |
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The Wharf Rats (RK,BL) Site: 13: Alvarado Street Rabobank Stage 6:15-7:00; 7:15-8:00 PM Characterized by tight harmonies and bluesy guitar licks, The Wharf Rats is your smooth rock alternative for your New Year's Eve celebration. |
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