First Night Celebration Will Take New Year's Revelers "Around The World, Around The 'Burgh"
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The 15-year-old winner of last year's "Sing-off" competition performed for a First Night preview news conference Wednesday morning.
Gabby Barrett was selected by none other than Smokey Robinson.
"He's an R& B artist and I'm an R&B artist, so I feel like I can connect with him," the singer says. "So it was really cool."
She will be one of many performers at this year's First Night. The new theme is, "Around the World, Around the 'Burgh."
"We're highlighting that theme through our programming, with programming the reflects the vibrant beautiful communities in Pittsburgh and also around the world, and how Pittsburgh is becoming more and more diverse, and how we want the city to be a more welcoming place," says Janis Burley Wilson of Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.
In addition to old favorites, like the puppet parade, this year's festivities include some new events as well. Former Steelers' running back-turned-artist Baron Batch will make art, as his audience joins in.
"It'll be a group experience with whoever's there," he says. "We'll have multiple easels set up. It'll be a spontaneous display of art."
It's also the first time, in a long time, for the Caribbean sound of The Wailers.
The old Stanley Theater, now the Benedum, was the site of legendary reggae singer Bob Marley's final concert ever. But his band will be here on First Night, performing on the Highmark Stage.
Wilson says they will "end the night and our theme of 'Around the World, Around the 'Burgh with a Caribbean sun splash in the middle of the street in January."
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