It could be the formula for the ultimate New Year’s Eve party: art, live music, and good company. But, the party of the year will not include what some might consider a key element — alcohol. The organizers of First Night Flathead hope this substance-free concoction will be the perfect way for Kalispell to kick off the new year.
First Night is a self-proclaimed New Year’s Eve party alternative, as it breaks from traditional celebrations with its alcohol-free policy. Local organizers wanted the event to be family oriented without the risks and potential problems that are often associated with alcohol.
“First Night is a large festival of being drug-free and celebrating the arts,” said student organizer Luke Van Helden, a senior. “It’s a large scale way to celebrate the New Year in a nondestructive way.”
The main attraction and benefit of the First Night is that live music, performance art, and poetry readings, among other things, will all take place within walking distance in downtown Kalispell. The purchase of one $5 button admits participants to all 13 locations.
“I’m hoping the downtown will create an atmosphere where everyone is interested in everything else.” said Van Helden. “I hope people can see what a good thing this is for the community.”
While all of this year’s events take place in downtown, First Night Flathead director, Tatsy Guild, said that they want to include the entire valley in the celebration.
“We intentionally called it First Night Flathead instead of First Night Kalispell. We want to include the whole valley,” said Guild. “Downtown Kalispell as it is, works perfectly, but we want to be inclusive of everybody.”|
For the music fan, First Night will touch on varying genres.FHS students were active in the planning process, allowing no shortage of options for the high school student. To accommodate the latest swing dancing craze that has hit the high school, the upstairs of the KM building will feature four hours of DJed swing music, and Opus One, a swing band, will play a 45 minute set at the Linderman School Gym.
“They (the planning committee) has been really open to what kids want,” said sophomore Nick Hudak. “There is nothing that will exclude teenagers.”
Hudak, a member of the planning committee, will perform with his band, Spelling Tuesday, at the Hockaday Center for the Arts on Third Street East and Second Avenue.
“We are planning on playing two acoustic sets,” said Hudak. “It should be really mellow — we’ll have lots of candles.”
Flathead High School will host two of the venues for live music. The auditorium will host two acoustic sets by Lund & Hagar and Renne and Thomkins, while the Small Gym will host four hours and rock and funk music, by Free Dyrt and Touch.
The Tropical Montana Marimba Band will bring their upbeat sounds to the Linderman Gym in the evening’s finale. The ensemble e is renowned for their ability to lift crowds on to the dance floor. The proceedings will conclude at Depot Park to celebrate the new year.
For organizers, New Year’s Eve won’t come soon enough. The planning for this celebration has taken the better part of a year. And planning for the “millennium” First Night Flathead celebration will start soon after the new year.
“Right now, I’m laying out the ad to thank people and promote next year, “ said First Night director Tatsy Guild . “All of the work this year has been volunteer, but it’s been a full-time job.”
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