That's where First Night proceeds come in. There are not many funders who give money for general operating expenses." "First Night profits go toward general operating expenses - rent, insurance, internet. "All of our programs except First Night Springfield are offered free to the public, supported by grants and sponsorships," Walk said. Proceeds help fund Springfield Area Arts Council. Tickets are available online at or at the door. The “Watch Night” play and the afternoon children’s activities are free. Park right next door and there’s an easy, clear path right to the Hoogland Center.”Īdmission for the evening session is $20 for adults and $5 for children. “There’s (covered) parking right next door. The Hoogland has “both stairs and elevators for people to move easily,” she said. While Walk is more concerned about the weather than the lingering pandemic at this point, she believes the venue also has that covered. ![]() ![]() “We’ve (also) dedicated an entire theater to four dance troupes - modern, folk, Irish and salsa - taking us from 6 o’clock to 10:30, in that order,” she said. The virtuoso piano performance features a mix of popular and classical tunes with some comedy thrown in.Ĭapital City Improv and Capital Big Band also are expected to be popular with First Night audiences, Walk said. “They’re coming back to mark their 10th anniversary.” “Ten years ago at First Night we premiered what has become one of Springfield’s favorite acts,” Walk said of Dual Piano. Walk said she is particularly excited about the return of Dual Piano to First Night. Otherwise, all activities will be at the Hoogland, with entertainment scheduled in four sessions from 6 to 10:30 p.m. 1, 1863, when Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation freed Southern Blacks held in slavery.įireworks will begin at 8:15 p.m., with best viewing anticipated near Capitol Avenue and Fourth St. The production features readings and reflections tied to the African-American custom of recalling the vigil leading to Jan. Springfield-based playwright Robert Davis will present the play “Watch Night” at 4:30 p.m. “It will cut down on crowding,” she said. The free children’s activities that in past years have been offered in a single, large room at Springfield High School instead will be in separate rooms at the Hoogland, Walk said. Safety considerations also have gone into some of the venue planning. “We are going to have on hand face masks and hand sanitizer and we’re encouraging people to safe-distance as they’re comfortable,” she said. “We’re just hoping that the power of the arts and the optimism of a new year will see us through a successful event,” she said. With COVID infection rates again experiencing a bit of a surge - and being joined by the flu and other respiratory infections - organizers are keeping their fingers crossed this year, Walk said. “We did (cancel) 48 hours before the event as the COVID infection rates in Sangamon County reached high levels and hospitals were starting to fill, because we care most about the health and safety of our performers and audience,” she said. The event was expected to return to in-person participation in 2021 after going virtual for a pandemic edition in 2020, but rising COVID-19 cases in the region led to a last-minute cancellation, Walk said. “I’m hoping it will be a big crowd,” said Sheila Walk, the council’s executive director. ![]() The afternoon’s free children’s activities will include mask-making, word-search puzzles, coloring, bead bracelets, collage, snow-related crafts, a fireworks shaker, wood building kits, holiday-themed crafts, slime-making, a new year’s shaker and a dance performance and dance party. ![]() Information and refreshments also will be available in the lobby throughout the event. Theater 3: David Lumsden Blues Band other artists to be announced. Theater 2: Express Your Seoul, folk dancers, Irish dancers, Salsa dancersĬlub room: Capital City Improv, The Lovelorn, Capital City Improv, The Lovelornīoard room: magicians, poets and writers, magicians, poets and writers Theater 1: Capital Big Band will perform during the first two sessions Dual Pianos will perform during the second two sessions. Gallery: Art will be displayed by Sangamon Watercolor Society a silent auction also will be held here. 31, as follows:ĭining room: Ryan and Beverly, Route 66 Quartet, Songbird Quartet and Monica Hay First Night Springfield sessions at the Hoogland Center for the Arts will begin at 6 p.m., 7 p.m., 8:45 p.m.
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