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“Celebrating New Years in the Tri-Cities”
Published Dec. 30, 2009
By Dori O’Neal, Tri-City Herald staff writer
Its not called First Night anymore, but the New Years Eve celebration thats gone on in town for two decades now still provides a hotbed of entertainment for the whole family.
Now called New Years Tri-Cities, the fun starts at 5:30 p.m. at Columbia Basin College in Pasco.
New Years Tri-Cities offers something for everyone, said Parker Hodge, the vice president of entertainment and production for the organization.
Though Vocal Trash has been the headline act for the past few years, NYTC switched to a different music headliner this year because they heard enough comments from supporters that they wanted something new and different, Hodge added.
After reviewing about a dozen headliner finalists, we felt Gloriana offered a pop-country style of music we hadnt showcased at the event before, he said. The group is also very popular with the 18- to 34-year-old crowd, which is a demographic weve tried to target the last several years.
Gloriana was recently named breakthrough artist of the year award at MTVs 2009 American Music Awards. Theyll perform two concerts, one at 7:30 and another at 10:45 p.m.
Comedian Brad Upton also returns for another appearance. Upton, who grew up in the Tri-Cities, performed his Home for the Holidays show last month at the Three Rivers Convention Center. Uptons comedy show, which is family friendly, will be at 6:45 and 8:15 p.m.
And if those two acts dont entice you to get out of the house on New Years Eve, then maybe all the other entertainers schedule to appear along with the big fireworks show at midnight will do the trick.
Other performers include The Gothard Sisters Irish fiddle and dance group, Brandon Cash performing his tribute to Johnny Cash show, Jerry Harris hypnotist comedy show, the An Daire Academy of Irish Dance troupe, Diamond Ridge Cloggers show, Highland Drive rock band, El Puerto salsa band, Troupe du Soleil belly dancers, Duct Tape harmony quartet, the Broadway Babes a capella trio, Sugarbush pop rock band, Ernie Lopez acoustic sounds, Desert Winds Flute Choir, Big Top the Clown, Keith Ramseys magic show, Wiggle Like a Fish music show for kids, Bram Brata steeldrum band and Debi and Frank Eng will play a mix of jazz and Beatles tunes.
Events are scattered throughout the campus from the lecture halls to the CBC theater to the library or the gym.
Youll need to buy a New Years Tri-Cities button to get in for $10 for ages 13 and older, $3 for ages 6-12 and free to ages 5 and younger.
The button will get you into all the different venues on the campus. Tickets are available online at www.newyearstricities.com or at the door.
Heres the schedule of events for New Years Tri-Cities happening at Columbia Basin College in Pasco on Dec. 31.
Gymnasium
5:30 p.m. Highland Drive, Rock band
6:45 p.m. Brad Upton, Stand-up comedian
7:30 p.m. Headline act Gloriana concert
8:30 p.m. Autograph session with Gloriana band members
10 p.m. The Gothard Sisters, Irish fiddle, dance & variety
10:45 p.m. Gloriana concert
Byron Gjerde Center
7:30 p.m. Brandon Cash performing a Johnny Cash tribute show
8:15 p.m. Brad Upton comedy show
9:15 p.m. Jerry Harris, master hypnotist
10:45 p.m. Brandon Cash
Byron Gjerde Center lobby
7:15 p.m. An Daire Academy of Irish Dance troupe
8:15 p.m. The Diamond Ridge Cloggers
9:15 p.m. El Puerto, salsa band
10:15 p.m. Troupe du Soleil, Belly dancing
All night The artwork of Rowdy Barry
Library lecture hall (ROOM #L-102)
8 p.m. Video gaming contest with X-Box 360
Library lecture hall (ROOM #L-103)
8 p.m. Video gaming contest with Sony Playstation
Conference room (ROOM #TD-433)
5:30 p.m. Duct Tape, a capella Barbershop quartet
6:15 p.m. Broadway Babes, a capella teenage trio
7 p.m. Desert Winds Flute Choir
7:45 p.m. Duct Tape, a capella Barbershop trio
8:30 p.m. Scott & Luisa Campbell, gospel vocalists
9:30 p.m. Broadway Babes, a capella teenage trio
10:15 p.m. Hayley Foraker, vocalist
Courtyard/atrium
6 p.m. Micki Harvey & Ken Linde, piano & vocals
7:30 p.m. Debi & Frank Eng, Beatles jazz arrangements
9:15 p.m. Johannin (David Agans & Erik Mertens), comedy, guitar, vocals
10:30 p.m. John Krigler, pianist & Kelly Parks, jazz vocalist
Theater
5:30 p.m. Bram Brata, Steel drum band
6:30 p.m. Jerry Harris, Master Hypnotist
8 p.m. Various Tri-City gospel performers
9 p.m. Skweez the Weezle, Celtic music band
10 p.m. Various Tri-City gospel performers
11 p.m. Skweez the Weezle, Celtic music band
Outdoor stage
6:30 p.m. Sugarbush, pop-rock band
7 p.m. Childrens closing ceremonies and fireworks show
7:30 p.m. Sugarbush, pop-rock band
11:50 p.m. Closing ceremonies & countdown to midnight
Midnight Fireworks
Hawk Union Bldg. (HUB) Atomictown.com Fallout Zone
7:15 p.m. Ernie Lopez, acoustic
8:15 p.m. Hiz Haven, alternative rock/hip hop
9:15 p.m. Beefy, nerdcore rapper
10:15 p.m. 45th Parallel, rock band
11:15 p.m. Winters Call, classic rock/metal group
The Kid Zone – Byron Gjerde Center kids stage in the Hub
3:15 p.m. Keith Ramseys Fired Up Magic Show
4:00 p.m. Big Top the Clown
4:45 p.m. Wiggle Like a Fish, Music for Kids
5:30 p.m. Arete juggling, Bill Barr
6:15 p.m. Keith Ramseys Fired Up Magic Show
7 p.m. Outdoor stage: Childrens closing ceremonies and fireworks!
Other kids activities in the Gjerde Center
Roving Big Top the Clown
Roving The Balloon Dude, balloon art
3-7 p.m. Childrens Carnival
Additional news stories can be accessed online at the Tri-City Herald.