The First Night
For Families

F

amilies are the focus of
the sixth annual First
Night New Year's Eve fes-
tivities in Birmingham.
This alcohol-free event covers
the gamut from kids shows to
concerts. Bring the little ones
and the grandparents. Here's a
list of activities by location...

COMMUNITY HOUSE:
Loretta Long (music
games, lessons)
Pippin Puppets
Chatauqua Express (mu-
sic)
Elvis and Tina (music)
Marcus Belgrave (jazz)
Modesty Forbids (Celtic,
American and Cajun music)
Magic School Bus (hands-
on art activities)

BALDWIN LIBRARY:
Wanda, the Fairy God-
mother (storytelling, magic)
Maureen Schiffman (mu-
sic, movement and puppetry)

ST. JAMES EPISCOPAL
CHURCH:
Marilyn O'Connor Miller
(puppets)
David Syme (music)
Lydia and Robin (flute and
harp)
John Cannon (organ)

FIRST CHURCH OF
CHRIST SCIENTIST:
Michigan Opera Theater
(musical revue)
Gennady Zut (Russian folk
songs)

FIRST BAPTIST
CHURCH:
Alex in Wonderland
(musical theater)
Reg Pettibone (Na-
tive American culture)
Footloose (acoustic
music)
Paul Vondiziano
(classical guitar)

FIRST PRESBYTER-
IAN CHURCH:
Songsister Julie
Austin (music)
Local Girls (music)
Straight Ahead (mu-
sic)
Ray Kamalay and
the Red Peppers
(jazz)

VILLAGE PLAYERS THE-
ATRE:
The Frog Prince

JACOBSON'S PARKING
LOT:
Star Trax Dance Troupe -
Dancing Through the
Ages

JAX CAR WASH:
Rick Rock Zoo

AZAR'S:
Middle Eastern Dancing

SHAIN PARK:
Art on the Move
Gone Country (line danc-
ing)
Star Trax Hip-Hop Count-
down at Midnight

MERRILWOOD MALL:
Modo Facepainters
Opera Lite Madrigals
Grand Prix Barbershop
Quartet

Above: They're "Straight
Ahead" with their approach
to jazz, R&B, Brazilian and
funk.

First Night-goers age 6 and
over must wear a First Night
admission button, available
for $7 at the Birmingham/
Bloomfield Chaniber of Com-
merce, several Kroger loca-
tions, Jacobson's in Birming-
ham and Livonia, The Com-
munity House, Crowley's
Birmingham and more. Kids
under 6 must have a $1 kids
button. Events start at 5 p.m.
and run through midnight.
All performance venues are
non-smoking.

Far Left: Loretta Long,
"Susan" of Sesame Street,
will offer a fast-paced,
interactive collection of
songs, games and lessons
at Birmingham's First Night
'96.

Left: The human jukebox
himself, David Syme, will
entertain at the St. James
Episcopal Church Sanctuary.

This Weekend's Best Bets

Winter Ska
Festival

The Suicide Machines,

Parka Kings and the Skol-

ers. Dec. 29. Magic Bag,

Friday, 8 p.m.

22920 Woodward, Fern-

dale. (810) 544-3030.

Overtures Swings
With The Jimmy
Dorsey Orchestra

DSO's young professionals.
On-stage dance party follow-
ing concert. Dinner at 6 p.m.
Dec. 30. Orchestra Hall,
Detroit. (313) 962-1000.

Wild Lights

Restoration,

First Night

Animal theme
displays in lights.
Closes Dec. 30.
The Detroit Zoo.
(810) 541-5835.

starring Robert
Down Jr. a n d
Downey
Hugh Grant. Dec.
29 and 30. The
Michigan Theater,
Ann Arbor. (313)
668-839 '7.

New Year's Eve in
Birmingham. Alcohol-
free celebration of the

.
Fri.
Fri
and Sat 9
Fri. and Sat.
7 and 9..30
: 8 p. m
Saturday, 8 p.m. 530
p

II

■

■

■m■

Sunday,
5 p.m. . 12 am.

arts for the whole fam-
ily. December 31.
(810) 540-6688.

,

For The Week's Best Bets See The Calendar On Page 58

INSIDE

eJN ENTERTAINMENT

Year-end entertainment review: '''"
Music, television, movies, theater,
theater "
fine arts, books. page 52; 04,

,

-

a e 61
What to do New Year ' s Eve. page

No, I'm not Marky Mark. page 62

Reviews, Fine Arts,
Best Bets and more.

51

