Downtownan Rio Nuevo has taken a lot of flack recently, much of it deserved. But let’s start 2009 on a positive Rio Nuevo foot. Downtown Tucson Partnership is putting on a family friendly New Years Eve celebration with events all over downtown. USA Today picked up the story – HERE. First Night is an event we’ve borrowed from other downtown’s including Boston.

Join my family and me downtown tonight. Support the local businesses down there, see for yourself what is there and get a sense of what could be.

HERE is the link to the official web site and below is the schedule of events:

COST

Tickets for FIRST NIGHT are colorful event buttons that are to be worn during the festival.

$12 for adults, $6 for children 6-12 and free for little ones 5 and younger. Paid admission allows entry into all venues. Purchase your button at Bookmans, Food City, TCC Box Office, Fox Theatre Box Office or purchase your button online now.

FESTIVAL LOWDOWN

FIRST NIGHT is alcohol-free to maintain a family-friendly atmosphere. Hot and cold beverages and food will be for sale in the lobby of the Leo Rich Theatre and at La Placita.

FREE party favors courtesy of Cox Communications, while supplies last.

Need assistance at the festival? Volunteers will be stationed throughout downtown to answer questions and offer directions. Look for them in FIRST NIGHT t-shirts with blinking lighted pins.

PARKING

Parking is available in the La Placita parking garage and the TCC parking lots. Also, FREE on-street parking starts at 3pm, courtesy of ParkWise.

SCHEDULE

TCC LEO RICH THEATER

260 S. Church Ave. Sponsored by Cox Communications. Featuring a program of Hispanic Roots entertainment.
4-4:45pm: Tucson Symphony Orchestra’s String Quartet – Josefina the Javelina (a musical adventure)
5-5:45pm: Mariachi Aguilitas de Davis
6-6:45pm:Nelly y Javier (Las canciones del amor)
7-7:45pm: Ballet Folklorico Tapatio (traditional Mexican dance)
8-8:45pm:Los Cuatros Vientos (mariachi quartet)
9-9:45pm: La Mezcla (Latin salsa & fusion)
10-10:45pm & 11-11:45pm: Santa Cruz River Band (Southwestern folk music)

LEO RICH THEATRE PLAZA

(FREE STAGE)
260 S. Church Ave. Sponsored by Tucson Pima Arts Council.
Ongoing: Art installation by Mat Bevel
3:30-6pm: The Physics Factory
3:30-5:30pm:Amber Norgaard
5:30-6:30pm:Serpe
6:30-7:30pm: The Mission Creeps
7:30-8:30pm: Beatnik Dream Vacation
8:30-9:30pm:Namoli Brennet
9:30-11:30pm:El Camino Royales
12-midnight: GRAND FINALE

SCOTTISH RITE CATHEDRAL

Sponsored by Ward VI City Council Member Nina Trasoff.
160 S. Scott Ave.
4-4:45pm & 5-5:30pm: Rodney Housley Children’s Magic Show
6-6:45pm: Mirror Image (twin sister jazz duo)
7-7:45pm:Degrazia Spanish Band (Spanish guitar)
8-8:45pm: Silver Thread Trio (folk/jazz/world music)
9-9:45pm: Leila Lopez (folk fusion)
10-10:45pm & 11-11:45 pm:Tim Wiedenkeller (bluegrass)

TUCSON CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

200 S. Sixth Ave. Sponsored by Tucson Mayor Bob Walkup. All outside entertainment is FREE. A festival badge gets you inside to enjoy the hands-on activities.
4-4:45pm:Thorton Willoughby, the Southwestern Wizard (magic)
5-5:45pm: Human Project New Era (hip hop dance)
6-6:45pm: Sticks and Fingers (percussion group)
7-7:45pm:Puppet Muzik (puppet show)

BEOWULF ALLEY THEATRE

11 S. Sixth Ave. Sponsored by Tucson Newspapers, Inc.,
4-4:45pm: Stories that Soar!
5-5:45pm:Lisa Otey and Diane Van Deurzen (singalong)
6-6:45pm: Stories that Soar!
7-7:45pm:Lisa Otey and Diane Van Deurzen (blues)
8-8:45pm:LaughingStock Comedy Company (improv)
9-9:45pm: Angel and the Blues Disciples
10-10:45pm:LaughingStock Comedy Company
11-11:45pm: Angels and the Blues Disciples

LA PLACITA VILLAGE COURTYARD

(FREE STAGE)
110 S. Church Ave. Sponsored by Tucson Pima Arts Council. Free children’s programming early in the festival moving on to family-friendly singers and bands later in the evening.
4pm-4:45pm: The Dusty Buskers
5pm-5:45pm:The Rosano Bros
6pm-6:45pm: Beatnik Dream Vacation
7pm-7:45pm: Kate Becker Project
8pm-8:45pm: Stefan George
9pm-9:45pm: The Tryst
10pm-10:45pm: The Evolution
11pm-11:45pm: The Dusty Buskers

FOX THEATRE

17 W. Congress St.
4-5:30pm & 6-7:30pm: Spongebob Squarepants: The Movie
8-11:30pm: Family Guy episodes

GRAND FINALE

LEO RICH THEATRE PLAZA
260 S. Church Ave. Sponsored by the Downtown Tucson Development Company. Don’t miss the spectacular Leo Rich Plaza grand finale at midnight, including the energetic sounds of music and dance ensemble Batucaxé and a thrilling countdown laser show.

JUST ADDED: FIREWORKS AT MIDNIGHT!

Download and Print Your Own Schedule

First Night Festival Program (584KB, pdf)

Questions?

Call us at 520.547.3338