Ring in the New Year

By ASHLEY LUTHERN

aluthern@vindy.com

canfield

First Night Canfield is mixing the old and the new for this year’s celebration.

The New Year’s Eve event will still feature cabaret dinner shows, but in a new venue and with new performers.

“The dinner show is in the new St. Michael’s Family Life Center, which is a beautiful facility, and we’re thrilled to be there. The Naples Sisters will perform at the buffet dinner, and this is their first time at First Night,” said Suzanne Heino, executive director of First Night Canfield.

Irish entertainer Cahal Dunne will perform at the 4 p.m. dinner show, making this his fifth year of participation in First Night.

“There’s certainly an optimistic vibe in the place, and it’s contagious and I feel it onstage,” Dunne said. “I’ve played in Youngstown quite a lot, and I’ve made some fantastic friends. They are some of the warmest people I’ve ever met. The people in that area are ordinary people with class.”

Dunne plans to sing Irish and love songs at his cabaret dinner show, in addition to storytelling, but will perform selections from his new country album at his concert later in the evening.

Other planned First Night entertainers include Beatlemania Magic, Jocko the Clown, Tracy Schuler & Friends and the Jim Frank Trio, among others. First Night festivities will conclude with the annual midnight bonfire, fireworks and ball drop at Canfield High School.

More than 3,000 people attended First Night Canfield last year, and it was mostly a family crowd, Heino said.

“It’s a celebration of the arts,” she said. “You can bring your 2-year-old or your 100-year-old grandma, they’ll find something to enjoy and have a great evening.”

Children under age 18 are admitted free to First Night Canfield, while admission for adults is $10. All attendees are given a button, which are now available at the First Night Canfield office, 40 S. Broad St., or by calling 330-533-2290.