While some people spend more than $100 per couple to ring in the New Year, for just $20 we decided to give the annual First Night Binghamton a try.
The Southern Tier Celebrates!-sponsored event is an alcohol-free, family-friendly extravaganza of activities, music, a parade, bonfire and fireworks that runs every Dec. 31, from late afternoon until the midnight countdown. And while we've both been in the area about eight years, this was the first time we decided to see what everyone was talking about.
We realize that you will have to wait an entire year to attend First Night, but after a night full of fantastic music, we're believers. For $10 a person (if you buy the admission button before the prices go up after Christmas), you really can't get a better deal as far as New Year's celebrations are concerned. While you may not have a glass of champagne in hand at midnight, you're out and about with the entire community and get to enjoy some eclectic, top-notch performers.
After looking at the "menu" for the night, we decided to stick purely to music. You definitely have to plan your trip ahead of time, because there is no possible way to catch every event.
Our first stop was to hear Latin/flamenco group Gazpacho Andalu at the Phelps Mansion. It was a fast-paced, rhythmic start to the night starting around 6 p.m.
We then walked to First Presbyterian Church on Chenango Street, where the Binghamton Philharmonic played to a nearly packed house. The acoustics and grandeur of the church were a perfect fit for the music.
After scooting out a little before the orchestra ended, we trekked back to Phelps Mansion to a standing-room only crowd waiting to hear Jewish band Shtreiml, which had unique takes on old folk tunes and klezmer music.
At this point, we were surprised and a bit disappointed that we were two of only a few 20-somethings in a crowd that ultimately numbered thousands. By 9 p.m., we had taken a mini-world tour of music. What young person wouldn't want that?
Our last stop -- before the fireworks, of course -- was to hear Binghamton's own pianist, John Covelli, who gave a riveting performance at St. Patrick's Church on Oak Street. His fingers flew across his Steinway, playing a wide variety of preludes from Mozart to Liszt to Chopin. His performance alone was worth the First Night admission.
And for those who really want a champagne toast at midnight, there is no reason to think that they can't also go to First Night. All you need to do is leave early enough to head home or to one of the local bars for the countdown. So, in case you couldn't guess, we certainly plan on making this an annual tradition on New Year's Eve.
source:http://www.pressconnects.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080104/COLUMNISTS23/801040314/1004/
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