FIRST NIGHT HARTFORD 2018: OFFICIAL PROGRAM

First Night Pre-Event Sales Outlet Locations

Wristbands on sale Friday, December 1 – Sunday, December 31, 2017

AAA: West Hartford, Avon, Cromwell, Enfield, Manchester, Plainville, Old

Saybrook, Waterford (Check if branch is open Dec. 31)

CBT/Berkshire Bank: Farmington, Glastonbury, Newington, Rocky Hill,

Vernon, West Hartford, Windsor (Check if branch is open Dec. 31)

CT Transit Information Booth: Downtown Hartford, State House Square

Highland Park Markets: Farmington, Glastonbury, Manchester,

South Windsor, Suffield, Coventry

Old State House: 800 Main Street, Hartford CT

Whole Foods Markets: West Hartford Center, Bishops Corner, Glastonbury

or purchase online until Dec 26 at www.firstnighthartford.org

Please note that First Night Hartford is VERY

WALKABLE from one venue to the other. In

fact we recommend that you park for the night

and walk around. It’s really the best way.

Bushnell Park and most other performance

locations are all with ¼ mile or few blocks of

each other. There are just a couple locations i.e.

CT Science Center (still walkable or take DASH

shuttle) that are a little further away.

Parking Information.

The following information is subject to change

METERED STREET PARKING: Metered

parking on Downtown streets is free on Sunday,

December 31, 2017 all day. EXCEPT only

egregious parking violations will be enforced: i.

e., parking in front of fire hydrants, curb cuts and

driveways, in bus stops, on sidewalks, or any-

thing that presents a public safety issue.

GARAGES:

• Trumbull on the Park Garage ($5). Entrance

on Trumbull Street for daily parking

• Morgan Street Garage. 155 Morgan St. ($5)

• One Financial Plaza - The Gold Building

($5). Pearl Street (Between Trumbull St and

Main St)

The Hartford Dash Shuttle (Free)

Shuttle service will be operating from 2PM

(12/31/17) to 12:45AM (1/1/18)

DIRECTIONS to First Night

Visit www.firstnighthartford.org for links to

maps and other parking information.

First Night Hartford 2018 Parking, Transportation, And Directions

Celebrate"Paris 1937"on Pratt St.

Pratt Street will be alive with the

jazzy sounds of 1937 Paris. In

addition, many stores and restau-

rants on Pratt Street will be hav-

ing open houses, some including

live music (see below).

• Max Bibo's: 208 Trumbull

St., Deli, 7 am - 2:30 pm

• The Russell: 103 Pratt,

Nightclub, 5 pm - 1 am

• Edible Arrangements:

97 Pratt, 10 am - 3 pm

• The Tobacco Shop:

89 Pratt, Jazz Trio,

7 pm - 11:30 pm

• Siam: 77 Pratt, Restaurant,

12 pm - closing

• Capital Spirits: 73 Pratt,

Liquor Store, 12 pm - 6 pm,

Champagne Tastings

• Korean BBQ: 65 Pratt,

Restaurant

• Vaughan's: 59 Pratt, Irish

Pub, 11 am - closing

• Painting W/ A Twist:

45 Pratt, Paint/drink

• Morneault Stackpole:

242 Trumbull, Men's &

Women's Apparel,

5 - 7 pm, jazz reception

• Paris 1937 Bistro Jazz:

64 Pratt, Full Jazz lineup,

4 pm - 11:30 (need wrist-

band)

• Hartford Prints: 42 Pratt,

Hartford gifts & print prod-

ucts. Open House.

• Giro & Kebab: 22 Pratt,

Restaurant, 12 pm - 8 pm

• Sorella's: 901 Main,

Restaurant, 3 pm - 11 pm

• BK's: 915 Main,

Restaurant, 9 am - 4:00 am

• Woody's: 915 Main (enter

off Pratt), Hot Dogs &

More, 3 pm - 8 pm. The

Whaler Guys will give a talk

about their favorite team.

* Pratt Street is located between

Trumbull and Main Streets

across from the XL Center

4pm-7:30pm: Regular Menu*

8pm-12am: Amazing 4 Course Meal

(Prix Fixe Menu)*

Lounge & Bar will be open

Reservations not required

Exquisite Cuisine prepared by renowned

Chef Rob Maffucci (as seen on Food Nework)

*Reservations are required for dining room

seating. Call 860-904-5453

Architectural Treasures

of Hartford800 Main Street (Meets outside The OldState House on east side of building),2:00 - 3:00 PM & 3:00 - 4:00 PM

Besides the Old State House (1796), is there any-

thing left to tell about Hartford’s history?

Amazingly to most people, YES! Even a brief

walking tour in the city center reveals how Hartford

grew from its founding (1635) to 2016. Virtually

every time period can be felt and observed in build-

ings and sites that bring the past alive! Most people

at least have heard of G.Fox’s (1918), The Travelers

Tower (1906-19) and Bushnell Park (1854), but

there’s so much more. This tour will make the city’s

impressive past and promising present feel very

familiar to you and shows that Hartford can build

on its great past in creating an even better future!

Ancient Burial Ground TourMeet at entrance on Main Streetbetween Center Church and GoldBuilding, 2:00 - 3:00 PM

A guided tour by Bill Hosley. The Ancient

Burying Ground is the oldest historic site in

Hartford, and the only one surviving from the

1600s. From 1640, four years after the arrival of

the first English settlers, down until the early

1800s, it was Hartford’s first and foremost grave-

yard. During that period anyone who died in town,

regardless of age, gender, race, ethnic background,

economic status, or religious faith, was interred

here. The oldest gravestone is believed to be that

for Timothy Stanley, who died in 1648.

Bill KatzPump House, 6:30 - 9:00 PM

Folk music and historic prints of Hartford on display.

Bill WalachPump House Courtyard in BushnellPark near Ice Rink, 6:15 - 11:45 PM

Bill is a Vernon, CT native that entertains crowds

with his impeccable musicianship, stories and wit.

Bill plays a great display of Celtic, Bluegrass,

Maritime and Americana songs. You won’t want

to miss this family oriented program of mandolin

music. Hot chocolate for sale.

Bushnell Park Carousel RidesNear Trinity Street and Fireworks view-ing area, 2:00 PM - 12 Midnight

It's so much fun to ride a vintage 1914 carousel

standing in Bushnell Park. There, by the shadow of

skyscrapers and a giant Turkey Oak, a 24-sided

pavilion houses 48 hand-carved wooden horses and

two lovers’ chariots that swirl around a booming

Wurlitzer band organ. Snacks and soft drinks for

sale. Rides are free if wearing First Night wristband.

Butler McCook HouseButler McCook House, 396 Main Street,12 - 5:30 PM

House tours: 12 – 5:30 pm Children’s crafts: 3 -5:30

pm. Learn about WWI from the perspective of the

Butler-McCook Family & the homefront efforts that

supported soldiers. All ages can craft a hug to send

from Hartford to a hero. Trace your hands & connect

with ribbon & sentiments to send a wearable hug.

Enjoy a tour of the festively decorated Butler-

McCook House & celebrate New Year’s Eve with

the McCooks! FREE with First Night wristband.

Caricatures68 Pratt Street, 6:30 - 9:30 PM

Experienced artist, Bill Dougal will be drawing car-

icatures at First Night. The cartoon-style portraits

quickly capture personality and bodies engaged in a

favorite activity and add humor. No charge with

FNH wristband.

Chat Noir Gypsy Band 68 Pratt Street, 10:15 - 11:15 PM

Chat Noir is a Connecticut based gypsy jazz

band that takes European style cafe music to

the next level. Comprised of Marcus Centola

on accordion, Mike Peranio on clarinet, Dan

Liparini on jazz guitar, and David Uhl on bass.

The group creates fun and unique arrangements

Italian, Russian, and French favorites and

swing standards.

Choo Choo TrainLoad on and off in Bushnell Park nearice rink, 4:00 - 10:00 PM

The blue train will be going through Bushnell Park.

Rides are free with First Night Hartford wristband.

CT Science Center250 Columbus Boulevard, 10 AM - 5 PM

$5 discount per person on Dec 31 AND Jan 1 with

your First Night wristband. Please note that wrist-

bands are not sold at the CT Science Center. CT

Science Center is located just a couple blocks

from Main St. You can walk or ride the free Dash

Shuttle to other FNH activities. Shuttle stops every

15 minutes at Science Center and makes loops

around downtown Hartford.

Dance Party On Trinity StreetTrinity Street near the Carousel and atfireworks viewing area, 5:30 - 6:00

Join us for an informal dance party on Trinity

Street before the fireworks (street will be closed to

traffic). We'll play some fun dance music to get

revved up for New's Year Eve fireworks! Stay

where you are to view the fireworks on Trinity

Street at 6PM & 12 midnight.

Dance Party On Trinity StreetTrinity Street near the Carousel and atfireworks viewing area,11:30 PM - 12 Midnight

Join us for a dance party on Trinity Street before

the fireworks (street will be closed to traffic).

We'll play some fun dance music to get revved up

for New's Year Eve fireworks! Stay where you are

to view the fireworks on Trinity Street at midnight.

Face PaintingOld State House, 800 Main Street,3:00 - 4:30 PM

Add whimsy and pizzazz to your day. Several

designs to choose from. Each painting takes

approx. 3 min. Safe, comfortable theater make-up

washes off with soap and water. Not just for kids!

Teens and adults are welcome too!

Face PaintingCenter Church Office Building, 60 GoldStreet, 4:00 - 8:00 PM

Add whimsy and pizzazz to your day. Several

designs to choose from. Each painting takes

approx. 3 min. Safe, comfortable theater make-up

washes off with soap and water. Not just for kids!

Teens and adults are welcome too!

FIREWORKSBushnell Park, Trinity Street,6:00 PM & 12 Midnight

Watch two fireworks displays in Bushnell Park

at the Trinity Street viewing area. All are wel-

come to the early countdown for the 6:00 PM

display and for the big countdown display at

Midnight.

Food and Beveragemultiple locations, all day

There are many, many restaurants in downtown

Hartford with a variety of food in all price ranges.

Check out downtown Hartford restaurants on

yelp.com to get names and locations.

Fortune TellersElks Club (upstairs Lodge MeetingRoom), 34 Prospect St (behindWadsworth Atheneum),3:00 - 11:00 PM

Step outside your usual perspective and consult

with fortune tellers on hand this evening! A 2018

reading provides clarity and advice for the New

Year. Get insightful answers. Readings don’t have

the power to change future events, but can help

you anticipate them. (Additional fee: $10 for 10

minutes/ $1 each minute after that). Must have

First Night wristband.

2 First Night Hartford 2018: Official Program

EVENT

LOCATIONSIndicates wristband/button

sales site during time event

location is in operation.

1. Bushnell Park CarouselTrinity Street Bushnell Park,

2:00 – 10:00 PM

2. Butler-McCook House396 Main Street

3. Center Church

Meeting House675 Main Street, 6:45 - 9:00 PM

4. Center Church House60 Gold Street, 2:00 – 9:00 PM

5. Central Baptist Church457 Main Street, 6:30 – 8:30 PM

6. Christ Church Cathedral 45 Church Street

7. CT Science Center 250 Columbus Boulevard

8. Elks Lodge 34 Prospect Street,

2:00 – 10:00 PM

9. FireworksTrinity Street Bushnell Park.

Please purchase wristband.

Your purchase helps support

the event.

10. Hartford Public Library 500 Main Street

11. Horse Drawn

Wagon Rides Trinity Street Bushnell Park,

1:45 – 4:30

12. Ice Skating Bushnell Park East Side

Free skating and ice skate rental.

13. Old State House800 Main Street, 2:00 – 5:15PM

14. 68 Pratt Street 6:15 – 10:00 PM

15. Pump House

Gallery & Tent Bushnell Park East Side Near

Ice Rink, 3:00 – 10:00 PM

16. Soldiers and Sailors

Memorial Arch Trinity Street Bushnell Park

17. Wadsworth Atheneum 600 Main Street, 2:45 - 4:45 PM

18. XL Center Atrium 225 Trumbull, 12:30 – 4:00 PM

First Night Hartford: When, Where & What To Do!

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First Night Hartford 2018: Official Program 3

Grand ProcessionGet your instruments first and begin on

Gold Street near stone sculptures area,

5:15 - 5:45 PM

For your rollicking stroll in the Procession led by

Bob Bloom and His Drum Riders, you’ll be given

a lovable percussion instrument to play, and to

take home! Open to the public. Everyone is invit-

ed to join. Bring your holiday hats and masks too!

Begins on Gold Street near stone sculptures area.

Steps off at 5:35 PM, proceeds down Gold St.

across to Bushnell Park, arrives on Trinity Street

(fireworks display viewing area) by 5:45 PM.

Horse Drawn Wagon RidesLoad on & off on Trinity Street near theBushnell Park Carousel, 2:00 - 4:30 PM

Take a scenic ride around Bushnell Park in a horse

drawn wagon! Rides are approximately 15

minutes. Space is limited. First come first serve.

(Fee is additional $3 per person)

Ice SkatingBushnell Park, 11:00 AM - 11:30 PM

Bushnell Park will be a hub of activity on New

Year’s Eve including the Winterfest ice rink that

will be open for extended skating hours during

First Night. Ice rink time and skate rentals are

FREE to the public. Get your ice skates at the rink

that night. FNH wristband is not required.

Kids Fest800 Main Street, 3:00 - 5:30 PM

Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Connecticut’s Old

State House! Participate in family-friendly activi-

ties, including several make and take craft activi-

ties celebrating the “New Beginnings” of 2018.

Tour the historic building, meet costumed inter-

preters, and view a multi-media exhibit about

Hartford’s history. Connecticut’s Old State House

is open from 3 p.m. to 5:30 pm.

Life, Times and Music of

Django Reinhardt Lecture 68 Pratt Street, 4:00 - 5:30 PM

Jazz was first introduced to France by African-

American soldiers during the First World War, who

marched their music through 2,000 miles of tiny

French villages and huge concert halls. Led by

Lieutenant James Reese Europe, the 369th Harlem

Infantry Regiment band travelled everywhere, thus

creating a jazz craze among the French population.

After the war, many jazz musicians settled in

France, and began delighting cabarets and club

audiences in Paris’ Lower Montmartre. Greats –

often neighbors and customers of small cafes – like

Django Reinhardt made their name by celebrating

Gypsy jazz as part of the local music.

Mark Templeton Quartet68 Pratt Street, 6:30 - 7:30 PM

“Le Jazz Hot Music of Paris, 1937.” The group

will be performing piano music of the pre-war era.

Maze Gallery Center Church Office Building, 60 GoldStreet upstairs, 2:00 - 9:30 PM

Robert Such returns to present communication

mazes that are certain to confound yet delight. No

longer is it you verses the maze, but you as a team-

working together to solve the maze. Visit the

Couples Maze, the three dimensional maze,

Theseus and the Minotaur and finally the

Bureaucratic Maze.

Nat Reeves Quintet68 Pratt Street, 7:45 - 8:45 PM

Will be performing from the era of "Le Jazz Hot

Music of Paris, 1937. Nat is a top American jazz

bassist who performs internationally with a num-

ber of jazz artists. He also teaches at The Hartt

School of the University of Hartford.

Rock Solid Alibi BandElk's Club, 34 Prospect Street(Chamberlin Room), 8:00 - 11:00 PM

Connecticut's newest power trio playing Rock &

Roll, straight up, in a dirty glass. Rock Solid Alibi

is a group of seasoned musicians who have per-

formed together over the last 25 years. The band

consists of Mike Armentano, Marty Moran and

Steve Armentano. They perform classic rock and

rock & roll songs from 1970s - 2000s appealing to

a wide audience demographic. The dance floor

will be open! Beverages and snacks for sale.

Science Activity For KidsCarousel Activity Room, Bushnell Parknext to Carousel, 3:00 - 5:00 PM

Celebrate the New Year with SLIME! Join "Kids

Corner CT” of Newington to create your own

squishy, sticky, and shimmery slime to take home.

Ages 4 - 10.

Sea Tea Improv

Comedy CompanyCentral Baptist Church, 457 MainStreet, 6:45 - 7:30 PM & 8:00 - 8:45 PM

Since 2009 Sea Tea Improv have been entertaining

audiences across Connecticut and the Northeast

with their unique style of audience-inspired

improv comedy. This group creates scenes, games,

and songs similar to what you've seen on "Whose

Line is it Anyway?" Every Sea Tea Improv show

is invented on the spot and no two shows are ever

the same.

Sinan Bakir and Friends68 Pratt Street, 9:00 - 10:00 PM

Guitarist Sinan Bakir is noted for his unique virtu-

osity and electrifying performances. Bakir and his

trio will interpret iconic French jazz guitarist

Django Reinhardt's timeless music on the Pratt

Street on the New Years Eve, celebrating

Reinhardt's over 80 years of musical legacy, since

he appeared in Paris and formed his famous

"Quintette du Hot Club de France."

Sineti and RoysPump House in Bushnell Park, ElmStreet, near Ice Skating Rink, 6:15 - 11:45 PM

Don Sineti has performed in concerts and festi-

vals from Hawaii to Alaska and Canada and is

known for his booming voice as he sings sea

songs and folk songs and plays the banjo.

Steve Roys plays a number of instruments

including the accordion, harmonica, and vari-

ous percussion instruments. Enjoy and Sing a

long! There will hot chocolate and coffee for

sale and an outdoor warming fire."

Soldiers and Sailors

Memorial ArchTrinity Street near the Carousel and

fireworks viewing area, 3:00 - 5:30 PM

Climb the stairs to see spectacular sights from the

top of the Arch and learn about this Gothic monu-

ment's history from a member of Bushnell Park

Foundation.

Story City TroupeCenter Church, 675 Main Street,7:00 - 7:45 & 8:15 - 9:00 PM

A fun story telling show for adults - true personal

stories in the style of "The Moth" by local story

tellers. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll identify.

The Boys of WexfordPump House Gallery in Bushnell Parknear Ice Rink, 3:00 - 6:00 PM

Traditional Irish music played live. Hot beverages

supplied by the Knights of Columbus, Cathedral of

Saint Joseph Chapter. “The Boys” travel to Erie

Canal every summer.

Tour of Christ Church

Cathedral 45 Church Street, 4:30 - 5:00 PM

A tour led by Bill Hosley. Christ Church Cathedral

is an Episcopal church in an urban environment.

Christ Church was founded in 1762. The building

was erected/consecrated in 1828. Christ Church

became one of the first Gothic-style churches in

the United States. It is modeled after York Minster

in England and is listed on the National Register of

Historic Places.

Tour of First Church of Christ

(Center Church) 675 Main Street, 3:30 - 4:00 PM

A tour led by Bill Hosley. The First Church of

Christ in Downtown Hartford was founded in 1632

by the Rev. Thomas Hooker. Daniel Wadsworth is

credited as having been the designer and the master

builder of the Center Church Meeting House. Its

architecture, patterned after London’s Church of

Saint Martin-in-the-Fields, incorporates Classical,

Georgian, and Federalist elements.

UConn Huskies

Women's BasketballXL Center, 1:30 - 4:00 PM

UConn Huskies vs Memphis Tigers. UCONN

Women's Basketball team face Univ of Memphis

Tigers in an exciting match. Regular fees apply.

www.uconhuskies.com. Admission price for game

is NOT included in First Night admission. FNH

volunteers will be selling wristbands in XL Center

Atrium lobby on Dec 31.

UFO StoriesElks Lodge, Chamberlin Room, 34 Prospect Street, 4:00 - 5:30 PM

As a spokesperson and field investigator for the

CT Chapter of MUFON (Mutual UFO Network)

Attorney Dyke Spear is highly qualified to give an

insightful analysis of the UFO phenomenon. For

the last 35 years Attorney Spear has interacted,

researched, and conferenced with the leading UFO

researchers in the world. Much of the information

he has learned is unknown to the general public

and involves such astronauts as Gordon Cooper &

Wally Schirra, abductee Travis Walton, and show

business diva Eartha Kitt. A practicing attorney

since 1960, he presents a unique analysis of the

UFO enigma. This program is not appropriate for

young ages.

Wearable ArtWadsworth Atheneum, 600 Main Street,3:00 - 5:00 PM

Explore awe-inspiring landscapes from Sublime

North: Romantic Painters Discover Norway, then

create your own wearable, nature-themed art -

bracelets, headbands, and other fun things! The

special exhibition will be open for viewing.

Visitors should enter through the Main Street

entrance, although stroller and wheelchair access

will be available on Atheneum Square North.

New Year’s Eve ConcertCathedral of Saint Joseph,140 Farmington Avenue, Hartford5:15 PM

Beautiful music in one of the region’s most impre-

sive interior spaces. Cathedral is located approx.

1/3 mi from downtown. Free and open to all.

First Night Hartford: When, Where & What To Do!

Joel M. Kleinman, President

Retired, The Hartford

Audra Lynn Smith, Vice Pres.

Retired, Travelers

Lana Ensling, Treasurer

CohnReznick

Michael McGarry

Hartford Publications

Charles Buder

Travelers

Divya Patel

Berkshire Bank

EVENT MANAGEMENT

Glander Associates Event

Management Solutions

PROJECT ASSISTANCE

Ace Music

eBiz Kingdom Distinctive Web

Solutions

Euphoria Tent Solutions

Local Stage

Northern Lights

First Night Hartford is a 501 (c )

(3) non profit organization.

VOLUNTEERS

We would like to thank all the

volunteers for their time and

dedication. We could not

make this event year after

year without your help!!!

BUTTON LOGO DESIGN

Peter Morlock

FIRST NIGHT HARTFORD

2018 BUTTONIn addition to being a work of art

with a new design each year, the

First Night button is a traditional

commemorative and collectable

momento.

2 First Night Hartford 2018: Official Program

The Camera Bar75 Asylum Street • 860-525-2158

Max Bibo’s Deli208 Trumbull Street • 860-525-4035

Harvey & Lewis Opticians45 Asylum Street • 860-522-2020

Capital Spirits73 Pratt Street • 860-232-2362

Spiritus Wines220 Asylum Street • 860-247-5431

Professional Barber Shop97 Pratt Street • 860-247-3795

The Tobacco Shop89 Pratt Street • 860-524-8577

Morneault's Stackpole Moore Tryon242 Trumbull Street • 860-522-081