Free New Year's Eve Celebration Will Feature Everything From a Concert by Rock n Roller Johnnie Johnson to a Children's Musical Performed by The Piwacket Theatre

ST. LOUIS (December 6, 2004) – Come one, come all! First Night® St. Louis – the city's largest visual and performing arts festival -- will be the Grand Finale of Celebrate 2004's year-long events, while ringing in the New Year. The alcohol-free, family-friendly event begins with an opening ceremony at 6:00 p.m., Friday, December 31, on the main stage at the corner of Grand and Lindell Boulevards in Grand Center. Celebrity hosts, a dance premiere by the multi-talented Mid America Dance Company, the innovative teen ensemble Show Me Sound Drumline, and a colorful dragon named Wanda will be on hand to kick-off the festivities. Music, dance, visual art, interactive activities, and two fireworks displays will make the night something to remember. Most of the performances and activities will take place indoors at venues throughout the Grand Center District.

Revelers of all ages can pick up Free Lion King Flashlights (by Energizer) and glow-in-the-dark wristbands (National City Bank). Everyone can purchase a pair of bright, neon gloves for just $2 to participate in the giant color wave during the fireworks displays. (A percentage of the sales will benefit Dollar Help – a program that provides heat to those in need). Back by popular demand, A Wish called Wanda invites revelers to write out their wishes and resolutions and tie them onto the First Night dragon.

Buildings along Grand will turn into The Citiscape Gallery. Exteriors will display 20' x 20' rotating projections of works by commissioned regional artists. Throughout the evening film buffs can catch the Cinema St. Louis presentation of film shorts from the recent St. Louis International Film Festival. Not to be missed, Brian Olsen's Art in Action will astound everyone with a colorful display of paint, energy, music and passion. Watch as Olsen paints four unique portraits for First Night on 4' x 6' canvases, two at 8:00 p.m. and two at 10:00 p.m. on the Main Stage.

Families will enjoy the high energy performance of three-time Emmy winner and master storyteller Bobby Norfolk as well as a delightful musical "Snowman's Revenge" performed by the Piwacket Theatre -- both presented at the Busch Student Center. The acclaimed Black Repertory Theatre Company will present Telling, Singing, Beating the Drum, a musical chronicle of African and African-American folktales.

Lonesome Pines, recently named the Best Bluegrass Band in St. Louis, will be on stage at the acoustically superb Sheldon Theater at 6:30 p.m. The Blue Moon Coffee House will feature chanteuse Elsie Parker and The Poor People of Paris, followed by The Book of Blues – a history of the blues told through musical theatre. The amazing Ptah Williams will dazzle you with his jazz piano performance at St. Francis Xavier College Church.

Later in the evening, award-winning, dynamic vocalist Kim Massie will perform R&B, Jazz, Gospel and the Blues at the Third Baptist Church. Famed pianist Johnnie Johnson and his band will have everyone rockin' and rollin' at the Sheldon Concert Hall at 9:30 p.m.

A wide variety of creative interactive art and musical activities will also be featured throughout the evening. These are just a few of the exciting events offered this year at First Night St. Louis. The nearby Metrolink stop, plenty of parking spaces, and scheduled shuttle buses will provide easy access. For more information, visit www.grandcenter.org, www.firstnightstl.org or call 314-289-8121.