First Night Montclair 2012 Events

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MUSIC & LAUGHS

Warren Zanes
8:00 & 9:00  p.m.
Unitarian Congregation Sanctuary, 67 Church Street
A musician who made three records with 1980s rock and roll band the Del Fuegos and three as a solo artist, a thinker-for-hire who has worked on several high-profile music projects, including, most recently, the upcoming George Harrison documentary directed by Martin Scorsese, and the Executive Director of Little Steven Van Zandt's Rock and Roll Forever Foundation.

Warren is a Ph.D and professor at several American universities, a Vice President at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, a writer whose subjects range from Jimmy Rodgers to Dusty Springfield to the Wilburn Brothers to the history of Warner Bros. Records, a where his work is an extension of his non-profit experience and his teaching at Case Western Reserve, the School of Visual Arts, the University of Rochester, and other institutions.

Time Out New York has said of Warren that he is "as smart a pop songwriter as there is." Entertainment Weekly lauded his solo work as "a thing of indie-pop beauty." Rolling Stone described that same music as having "flashes of Beck and 1970s Paul McCartney . . . [and] a lot of what sounds like XTC." Among those who have already stepped forward to praise his latest recording are Cameron Crowe, Aimee Mann, and Tom Petty. But, mostly, Zanes flies under the radar and is a Montclair resident.

Zara Phillips
6:00  & 7:00  p.m.
Unitarian Congregation Sanctuary, 67 Church Street
Singer-songwriter Zara Phillips has an engaging and confident style that combines strong lyrical themes with powerful melodies to create music that is both thought-provoking and entertaining.

Zara began her professional career working as a backing vocalist for Bob Geldof on his solo album She then continued to work on tour, in television and videos with U.K. artists such as Matt Bianco, Nick Kamen, David Essex, Perfect Day and the solo project from Dire Straits John Illsley.

Zara's new CD was recorded by highly acclaimed producer Ted Perlman with a track (and video) she made with "D" of RUN DMC. Her song Secrets was recently featured on a NBC daytime drama Three other songs will soon be heard on the soundtracks for upcoming short films.

Andy McKee and Friends Present New Kind Of Blue
Andy McKee and Friends 7:00 & 9:00 p.m.
Covenant Church, 17 Valley Road
New Kind Of Blue energizes the music of Miles Davis’ classic recording with a contemporary interpretation that remains true to the musical sensibilities of the original masterpiece.  The remix of these timeless melodies offers an updated perspective that explores some important developments in jazz since the masterful 1959 release.

The personnel includes an alumni of the seminal period of Miles Davis' electric era: Billy Hart (On the Corner, 1972) who sets an unstoppable groove that bubbles skyward from his rich lifelong presence on the global jazz scene. Guitarist Vic Juris brings to the group his extraordinary musical gift of harmonic texture and rhythmic clarity, weaving through the musical fabric with the skill and precision of a Formula 1 driver. North Jersey's own, Freddie Hendrix adds his trumpet expertise to the group with a melodic sensibility and innovative solo concept that pays tribute to Miles' rich musical legacy. After years of experience with the strongest bands in jazz, bassist Andy McKee shows no signs of letting up as he anchors this powerful mix of musical forces simmering in a wholly original and delectable musical brew.

Afrocuba Band
7:00, 8:00, 9:00 p.m.
Hillside Cafeteria, 54 Orange Road
Afrocuba Band is one of North Jersey's most sought after Salsa Bands for weddings, private parties, festivals and corporate events (Salsa Band NJ). Since 2001, John Acevedo's Cuban band has performed for all kinds of venues up and down the east coast.

Listen to authentic Cuban Music (Cuban Band NJ) and Latin Jazz played by New York City's best percussionists and instrumentalists. Latin Band NJ. Afrocuba Band was formed in 2001 by John Acevedo (musical director and bass player), Kevin Ortiz (Timbalero), Mario Duque (Pianist), and Alex Dieguez (Conga). Afrocuba's original repertoire consisted primarily of classic, old school, Cuban music and, in 2004, slowly evolved to include Puerto Rican and Colombian influences as well. Afrocuba Band has gained much popularity among salsa dancers in the New Jersey/North Jerseyand New York City area and has gained an impressive following of fans.

TNT Ramblers
6:00 &7:00 p.m.
Salvation Army, 13 Trinity Place
The Temple Ner Tamid Ramblers, aka "The TNT Ramblers" are an outreach band from Temple Ner Tamid, 936 Broad Street, Bloomfield. They will be playing two sets of traditional and original blues for this year's First Night. They’ve been playing for the guests of Toni's Kitchen at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Montclair, on the last Saturday of the month for the last six years, without missing a month.

Harmonica: Joel Dorow
Piano: Yossi Shoham
Guitar & Vocals: Michael Reitman
Guitar & Vocals: Rob Maskin
Harmonica: Matt Schifrin
Drums: Zach Adleman
Lead Slide Guitar: Michael DeVito
Bass: Jason DeSalvo

Comedian Steve Shaffer
6:00 & 8:00 p.m.
Covenant Church, 17 Valley Road
Ace award winning comedian Steve Shaffer has appeared on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, Merv Griffin, Comedy Central, HBO, The CBS Morning Show and Showtime. Steve has toured with George Carlin, Paul Anka, Julio Inglesias and others. He had a recurring role on the Emmy award winning Murphy Brown and has many national commercials to his credit, including a roll as the Jeopardy Coach. Steve’s comical take on contemporary music has landed him many spots on everything from American Bandstand and VH1 to MTV's New Years Eve Special with Guns & Roses. Steve can be seen almost every week of the year in theaters, corporate dates, cruises and night clubs.

Terry’s Serendepity Café
6:00, 7:00, 8 :00, 9:00 p.m.
Montclair Library, Fullerton Avenue
Terry’s Serendipity Café is a project begun by Montclair High School students in the spring of 1995. It provides a place for our town’s young people to listen to performances by a wide variety of artists, poets and musicians here in town. Terry’s Serendipity Café is run by the students themselves, with adult volunteer advice and supervision. The café presents all types of performances and music from classical to rock, from jazz to hip hop. We have “open mic” time set aside at each café for people to come up on stage and perform. It is a great place for new artists to present their material to a live audience.

FAMILY FUN

Wild ‘N Whacky
5:00 & 7:00 p.m.
Hillside School Gym, 54 Orange Road
One of the most popular party games shows around, the Wild n Wacky Challenge is loaded with hilarious and crazy stunts where audience member compete against each other in a series of unique, on-on-one and interactive group challenges. Watch out for the famous homemade sludge and pie wall, ready to make a mess out of some lucky contestant. Join in the fun as a professional game show host and referee gather teams and individuals to compete against one another balancing plates, breaking balloons, tossing rings and participating in lots of other fun-filled challenges.

Magician Joe Fischer
6:00 & 8:00 p.m.
Unitarian Congregation Hall, 67 Church Street
Joe Fischer presents a magic program that will astound, baffle, delight, thrill and entertain your audience. This fast-paced show has the perfect blend of magic, audience participation, comedy and excitement. Joe has an outstanding rapport with children - ability to communicate on their level is what makes this show real magic.

Lasermania
5:00 & 7:00 p.m.
Hillside School Auditorium, 54 Orange Road
Lasermania’s Laser Spectacular is a visual extravaganza, featuring dazzling laser animations synchronized to riveting music. Lasermania has performs over two thousand educational, interactive, and entertaining laser programs every year. Audiences will be amazed!

BubbleMania
6:00 & 8:00 p.m.
Hillside School Auditorium, 54 Orange Road
A First Night favorite is back! Bubblemania combines high energy entertainment with artistic achievement. This event is loaded with visual comedy, quick wit, big band swing music and the untamed, often unbelievable qualities and beauty of spherical liquids. Bubbles that bounce; funky, gravity defying globs of bubble foam; incredibly long serpents of soap film; the breath-taking finale! A must-see event!

Juggler Will Shaw
6:00 & 8:00 p.m.
Hillside School Gym, 54 Orange Road
Will Shaw's unique blend of physical comedy, verbal wit and dazzling skill has taken him across the country and around the world. Performing in venues as diverse as the stages of major symphony orchestras and theaters to those of schools, colleges, camps, resorts, business events and even TV and movies, he has created a universally appealing style, irresistible to audiences of all ages.

The Hoop Wizard
6:00 & 7:00 p.m.
Salvation Army Gym, 13 Trinity Place
Jack Ryan a.k.a. Black Jack & the Hoop Wizard performs an interactive show filled with basketball tricks and skits that keeps crowds from all over the world in stitches.

Black Jack has performed on ESPN®, SportsCenter and the Today Show and is available to perform at kids parties, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, school assemblies, camps and NBA & College half-times.

Ventriloquist John Prizzi
5:00 & 7:00 p.m.
Unitarian Congregation Hall, 67 Church Street
One of the hottest rising comics in the entertainment industry, has brought his unique brand of comedy to audiences around the country! Opening acts for entertainers like Jerry Vale, Johnny Maestro and the Brooklyn Bridge, Joy Behar, Weird Al Yankovic, The Trammps, The Regents, Al Martino, Clint Holmes and many more!

Performing as a national headliner at comedy clubs, resorts, colleges, and theaters across the United States. Starring in a one man show of comedy, magic and ventriloquism adaptable from 15 minutes to an hour of high energy comedy. John Pizzi is a regular at the Riveria Hotel in Las vegas,
the Borgata Hotel in Atlantic City and a member of the Friars Club in New York City and Los Angeles.

Square Dancing
5:00 & 6:00 p.m.
Hillside School Cafeteria, 54 Orange Road
A huge hit year after year, we’re gonna’ do-si-do into 20122! Foot tapping, hand clapping traditional square dancing with professional caller Fran Wadel Strap on your boots and get dancing!