Sunday, December 28, 2014
By GUY D’ASTOLFO
11It’s a fun way to ring in 2015.
But in Youngstown, the event has an extra benefit: it’s a rare opportunity to get inside some of the city’s most unique and historic buildings, and all in one night. Entertainment for First Night Youngstown (FNY) takes place in 11 buildings, including a few not widely open to the public.
“First Night is a good opportunity to discover downtown Youngstown,” said Elizabeth Johnquest, coordinator of FNY. “How many people have had a chance to go into the Masonic Temple on Wick Avenue? And right next door is the historic First Presbyterian Church, which also is a beautiful building. The Trinity United Methodist Church downtown on Front Street also will be open for a Labyrinth Walk for Peace. If you’ve always wanted to go inside, now is the perfect opportunity.”
Johnquest also pointed out that the Youngstown State University planetarium will present a special show for New Year’s Eve as part of First Night.
This year’s admission button for FNY events bears a stylized drawing of the YWCA building on Rayen Avenue. It was created by JoAnn Buzulencia who won the annual button design competition.
“The YWCA is on the list of historic buildings, and if you haven’t been there lately, you will be amazed at how much it has changed,” said Johnquest of the newly renovated structure. “It is beautiful.”
A children’s storyteller who uses puppets will be at the YWCA at 5:30 and 7 p.m.
The weather is always the top variable that affects attendance, but it should not be a problem this Wednesday. The temperature is expected to be in the upper 20s but with no precipitation.
Johnquest expects attendance will hover around 3,000 over the course of the event.
Getting around between the venues will be made easy by a free shuttle bus, courtesy of WRTA. First Night patrons just have to wave it down as it makes its loop through downtown and on Wick Avenue to all the venues.
One person who will have no problem with the cold weather will be Jeff Kaiser, the ice sculptor. Kaiser will do a carving demonstration outside 20 Federal Place between 7 and 9 p.m.
For adults and teens, the Masonic Temple and the First Presbyterian Church will have singers, comedians, magicians, a psychic reader and other forms of entertainment.
Because FNY is mainly focused on families with children, the Oh Wow! Science Center for Children will be open until 8:30 p.m. with hands-on learning activities.
Families can swim together for free at the YMCA and ice skate at the Covelli Centre. Players from the Youngstown Phantoms hockey team will skate with the public from 6 to 7 p.m.
The DeBartolo Corp. donated funds for two fireworks shows: 9 p.m. for families with small kids, and another one at midnight. The fireworks will take place at Covelli Centre.
Another popular feature for children that will be returning to FNY this year will be free cookie decorating at One Hot Cookie, at the end of North Phelps Street.
Each child will receive one cookie that they can decorate with frosting, sprinkles and candies, between 5 and 10 p.m.
One Hot Cookie will be open for business until 2:30 a.m. on New Year’s Eve, with its full line of cookies, ice cream, coffee and hot chocolate.
“We had so much fun at First Night last year and are prepared for even more kids and cookies this year,” said Bergen Giordani, owner of the shop.
Schedules and info
Here are the schedules of entertainment for First Night Youngstown and First Night Canfield. The New Year’s Eve Salem event in that city will not take place this year:
FIRST NIGHT YOUNGSTOWN
First Night Youngstown admission buttons are $10 ($5 for students age 13 through college with ID, senior citizens 62 and older, and military personnel with ID; free for children 12 and under — must be accompanied by a paid adult). Event schedule and maps available at FNY event headquarters, 25 E. Boardman St., Suite 405, downtown. There are three ways to get an admission button: Paying with credit card at firstnightyoungstownoh.com; in person by visiting event headquarters; and in person on New Years Eve at all venues. Buttons are also being sold in advance at Oh Wow! children’s center, FNY headquarters, Satolli Carpet and Floor Cover in Warren, Santisi’s IGA in Girard, Cornersburg Sparkle, Something Unique 4 U in Austintown, Living Naturally Health Market in Boardman, the Youngstown mayor’s office, Jerry Lee Jewelers in Youngstown, St. Patrick Church rectory in Youngstown, Giannios Candy Company in Youngstown, and Ron’s Sign Shop in Hubbard. The WRTA will provide constant free shuttle service between venues throughout the night. For information, call 330-744-9966 or go to firstnightyoungstownoh.com.
20 Federal Place: Hugs the Clown, arts and crafts, and Cirque de Paper (origami show), 5-8; face painting, 5-9; Harambee (African dancing and drumming), 6-6:45; photo booth (extra cost) and Boy Scout game, 5:30-8:30; DJ, 5-8; Youngstown Connection (song and dance troupe), 8-8:45. Outside 20 Federal Place, there will be an ice sculpture demonstration, 7-9.
Covelli Centre: Family skating, 5-8:30 (adults must have admission button; limited skate rental available for $5 a pair, but bring your own if possible. No parking available at arena); Caricatures, Jot the Clown (balloon animals), 5:30-8:30; skate with the Phantoms (players will sign autographs), 6-7; ball drop and two fireworks shows, 9 and midnight.
First Presbyterian Church Chapel Hall: Magic of Eric Thompson, 6-6:45 and 8-8:45; Just Us (songs from the ’60s to the present), 7-7:45 and 9-9:45.
First Presbyterian Church Sanctuary: Edelweiss quartet, 7-7:45 and 9-9:45; McCabe’s (acoustic folk rock and duets), 8-8:45; Libby’s Tamburtzans (Slovak music), 10-10:45.
Masonic Temple - First Floor: Davis and McKay (acoustic rock), 6-6:45 and 7-7:45; Rev. Eleanor and Cindy Wellman psychic readings, 7-10; Elvis tribute, 8-9; Jim Frank Trio (swing and polka dance), 9:15-10.
Masonic Temple - Second Floor: Jan Ross (country duet with Roy Orbison tribute), 6:30-7:15; Roy Orbison tribute, 7:30-8:15 and 9:30-10:15; Patsy Cline tribute, 8:30-9:15 and 10:30-11:15.
OH WOW! The Roger & Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science & Technology: Hands-on activities for kids, 5-8:30.
One Hot Cookie: Free cookie decorating for children.
Trinity Church: Prayer for peace labyrinth walk, 5-9; refreshments and $1 hot dogs available.
Youngstown Historical Center of Industry and Labor: Galleries open, 5:30-10:30; County Mayo Irish Band, 5:30-7:30; Conjunto Riqueno (Latino music), 8-10.
Youngstown YMCA: Open swim, 4-8:30.
Youngstown YWCA: Storytelling with Mrs. B, 5:30-6:30 and 7-8.
YSU Ward Beecher Planetarium: Light and recorded music show, 6-9:30.
FIRST NIGHT CANFIELD
Admission buttons are $10 (free for children 18 and under) and are available in advance and the night of the event at these locations, all in Canfield, unless otherwise noted: Always Yours, 584 E. Main St., Unit 14, 330-533-9020; Canfield Presbyterian, 140 W. Main St., 330-533-5509; Old North Church, 7105 Herbert Road, 330-533-6848; Farmers National Bank, 20 S. Broad St., 330-533-3341. Cabaret show buttons are $25 and include dinner and admission to all venues; must be purchased before Dec. 31 at Always Yours. For information go to firstnightcanfield.org. The event’s opening ceremony is at 5 p.m., with carriage rides beginning shortly thereafter; fireworks at midnight. There will also be a video gaming bus, and appearances from comedian and juggler Howard Mincone, Chip and the Munks, and the princesses from Disney’s “Frozen,” provided by Temenos Productions.
Old North Church: Beatlemania Magic, 8 and 10; Cahal Dunne (“Ireland’s Happy Man”), 7 and 9; The Moondogs (favorites from 50s-70s), 11.
Canfield Presbyterian: Alison Morris (holiday favorites on piano), 6; Ballet Theatre Shenango Valley, 7 and 9; String Theory (guitar duo), 10.
Canfield United Methodist Church: Cabaret dinner show with Mary Jo Maluso and Rick Blackson, catered by A La Cart, 4:30-6.
Canfield Village Middle School: Chip Richter, 6 and 8.