Performance Schedules
All times are P.M.
* Indicates a "Family Friendly" event.
Academy of music : Dancing in the aisles (Map location 2)
Ines Arrubla flamenco presents "Soleares"
With each of the seven dances of the program representing a "palo" (specific Flamenco rhythm and emotion), Arrubla presents an emotional overall portrait of Flamenco, the age-old art form of Andalucia, Spain, which involves singing, dancing and the guitar simultaneously - as well as rhythmic punctuation (by hand-claps).
12:30 - 1:15
Festival of Dance
Academy of Ballet Arts
Talented young dancers from the Academy of Ballet Arts in Hadley will perform an excerpt from everyone's favorite, "The Nutcracker."
2:00 - 2:45EAST STREET BALLET
The audience will be entertained by the best and the brightest from the School of Ballet at East Street Dance Center, based in Hadley. Under the direction of former Moscow Ballet soloist Irina Vakhromeeva, the group presents a selection of colorful and exciting works.
2:00 - 2:45Hilltown Dance Center
Hilltown Dance Center makes its First Night debut with a performance of "Personals," a contemporary piece choreographed by the school's director, Polly Labbe.
2:00 - 2:45NEDQ hip-hop
This high-octane performance group will rock the house for the third year in a row. Representing New England Dance Quarters of Amherst, they are pleased to be back on the Academy stage.
2:00 - 2:45Northampton School of Dance
Dance team members from Northampton School of Dance strut their stuff.
2:00 - 2:45Pioneer Valley Ballet
PVB has been a mainstay in the area since 1965. Artistic Directors Thomas Vacanti and Maryanne Kodzis always have a few intriguing tricks up their sleeves. This year, look for "snowflakes."
2:00 - 2:45Terpsichore ensemble
Crossing the bridge for the ninth year, this energetic group will delight the audience with their eclectic mix of dance styles. Directed by Deborah Shumway, these dancers hail from the Amherst area.
2:00 - 2:45Valley Dance Project
The Valley Dance Project performs Mary Bull's "Quem Trina Polluit."
2:00 - 2:45
Festival of Dance Encore
Academy of Ballet Arts
Talented young dancers from the Academy of Ballet Arts in Hadley will perform an excerpt from everyone's favorite, "The Nutcracker."
3:00 - 3:45EAST STREET BALLET
The audience will be entertained by the best and the brightest from the School of Ballet at East Street Dance Center, based in Hadley. Under the direction of former Moscow Ballet soloist Irina Vakhromeeva, the group presents a selection of colorful and exciting works.
3:00 - 3:45Hilltown Dance Center
Hilltown Dance Center makes its First Night debut with a performance of "Personals," a contemporary piece choreographed by the school's director, Polly Labbe.
3:00 - 3:45NEDQ hip-hop
This high-octane performance group will rock the house for the third year in a row. Representing New England Dance Quarters of Amherst, they are pleased to be back on the Academy stage.
3:00 - 3:45Northampton School of Dance
Dance team members from Northampton School of Dance strut their stuff.
3:00 - 3:45Pioneer Valley Ballet
PVB has been a mainstay in the area since 1965. Artistic Directors Thomas Vacanti and Maryanne Kodzis always have a few intriguing tricks up their sleeves. This year, look for "snowflakes."
3:00 - 3:45Terpsichore ensemble
Crossing the bridge for the ninth year, this energetic group will delight the audience with their eclectic mix of dance styles. Directed by Deborah Shumway, these dancers hail from the Amherst area.
3:00 - 3:45Valley Dance Project
The Valley Dance Project performs Mary Bull's "Quem Trina Polluit."
3:00 - 3:45
More Fancy Footwork
CATALYST
The Catalyst Dance Company is a unique, creative troupe of young dancers from the Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter School. Their outstanding talent and energy will be evident on stage when they perform styles ranging from modern to hip-hop to tap.
4:00 - 5:00Dance Generators
Dancers in the Northampton-based Dance Generators - an intergenerational performance company - span seven decades. They're devoted to - and do a pretty good job of - shattering stereotypes about aging. They come together tonight in their commitment to innovative theater-making.
4:00 - 5:00Eclipse Dance Company
Eclipse Dance Company brings together dancers and dance educators from throughout western Massachusetts and Connecticut to perform original works. With a focus on the creative exploration of modern dance techniques, the group creates dance that is thought-provoking and unique.
4:00 - 5:00Lisa Leizman Dance Company
The 16-member Lisa Leizman Dance Company - resident company of the Northampton Center for the Arts - performs lavishly costumed pieces to music that represents classical, jazz and world music traditions.
4:00 - 5:00North County Line Dancers
Bring your partner - or, not. Turns out, line dancing can be enjoyed with or without a partner. It's the mission of The North County Line Dancers to show everyone just how much fun and what great exercise - line dancing can be. The group brings their high-energy style of dancing to nursing homes, fairs, schools, fundraisers and workshops - and First Night.
4:00 - 5:00
Best of Belly Dance
Alnilam
Alnilam bellydancers, with choreography by Attar Mellea, is a cooperatively directed group of local artists who come together tonight to bring on the New Year. They are Elise Haden-Ferdman, Kristy Speck, Rachel Zuckerman, Tegan Mannino, Joyce Joseph, Jennifer Lisa-Kass and Whitney Suter.
5:00 - 5:30Shali
Shali marvels at the beauty of all women who dance themselves into self-esteem and grace. Through the art of belly dance, a sense of rhythm and movement is re-discovered that might have been deeply buried or repressed.
5:00 - 5:30TROUPE Sahibat
Sahibat dancers are inspired by the ancient belly dance traditions of the Middle East and infused with modern creative expression that is both lyrical and rhythmic.
5:00 - 5:30
Zoe Darrow and the Fiddleheads
Born in 1989, Zoë Darrow began fiddling when she was 4 years old and now leads her trio in Scottish, Irish and Cape Breton fiddle tunes. Backed up by her dad, Phillip, on guitar and Tom Coburn on piano, Zoë Darrow and the Fiddleheads has been performing publicly since 1999. Zoë's fiddling, step dancing, and charming persona add up to a show that has been pleasing audiences throughout the Northeast.
7:00 - 7:45 8:00 - 8:45JOSE GONZALEZ CRIOLLO CLASICO LATIN HOLIDAY
Jose Gonzalez is a guitarist, composer and master of Puerto Rico's "national" instrument, the cuatro. He has performed at the Heineken Jam Series in Puerto Rico, the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, the Chicago Arts and Science Museum and Madison Square Garden in New York City. He's also played with the Puerto Rico and Hartford symphony orchestras, and his music is featured on the PBS special, "Visions of Puerto Rico." Catch his third visit to First Night Northampton with shows that feature a Latin holiday theme.
9:15 - 10:15 10:30 - 11:30