Best Nighttime Events At First Night Boston 2012

While your First Night Boston experience could be one-stop shopping, picking your favorite venue and staying put, there is so much more to see. All across downtown there are easy-to-get to events celebrating the arts and community in Boston. If you plan on staying after dark, here are some of your best bets.

See Also:
First Night Family Events
First Night Daytime Events
First Night Must-See Artists
First Night Ice Sculpture Guide

Liz Longley

Modern Theatre at Suffolk University
9-10 p.m.

A recent Berklee College of Music graduate, Liz Longley is already showing signs of becoming the next acoustic breakout artist. In 2010, Liz received first prize in the BMI John Lennon Scholarship competition, grand prize in the International Acoustic Music Award contest (among 9,000 entries) as well as the Chris Austin Songwriting Award. She also appeared at the Newport and Rocky Mountain folk festivals. In 2009, Liz garnered first place in the Rocky Mountain Folk Fest Songwriter Showcase, and was co-winner of the Mountain Stage NewSong Contest, among several other honors. The set will be broadcast live on WUMB 91.9 Folk Radio. Sponsored by Berklee College of Music, Suffolk University and WUMB.

Walter Sickert & the Army of Broken Toys

The Wireforest: An Evening of Spectacular Spectacle
Hynes Auditorium
7:30-11 p.m.

Boston Music Award 2010 Live Artist of the Year winner Walter Sickert & the Army of Broken Toys bring their musically sophisticated Dada-esque SteamCRUNK carnival run amuck to First Night, as they host an evening filled with like-minded freaks. Their guests will include Johnny Blazes and the Pretty Boys' flamboyant, glitter-filled, big-band soul; Emperor Norton's Stationary Marching Band with their marvelously quirky display of circus sight and sound; as well as a host of others to be announced at www.firstnight.org. Emceed by jojo, the Burlesque Princess.

Commonwealth Shakespeare: Bard Over Broadway

Emmanuel Church
7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

Commonwealth Shakespeare, who bring Free Shakespeare to Boston Common every summer, collaborates with The Boston Conservatory on a musical review of Broadway Inspirations of Shakespeare's works. Performed by some of Boston's finest up-and-coming actors and directed by Founding Artistic Director Steven Maler, the performance is sure to delight audiences of all ages. Sponsored by State Street Corporation.

Manami Morita

Berklee Performance Center
6:30 - 7:15 p.m.

Jazz pianist Manami Morita, a 2008 graduate of Berklee, has performed with internationally acclaimed musicians, such as Esperanza Spalding, Greg Hopkins, Mark Walker, Rosa Pasos, Oscar Stagnaro and more. Sponsored by Berklee College of Music.

WBZ Copley Countdown to Midnight

Copley Square
11 p.m. — midnight

Join WBZ-TV Anchors Lisa Hughes and Jack Williams as we welcome in the New Year in historic Copley Square. Televised live on WBZ-TV beginning at 11 p.m.. Across the street, Boston's hottest DJs anchor a multimedia celebration on the steps of the Boston Public Library. Join DJ Die Young, Baltimoroder and Coralcola, Top 40 cover band Stereo Telescope and the Boston Hoop Troop for this two-hour countdown extravaganza with dancers, images projected on the beautiful library façade and a spectacular light show.

Information provided by our partners at First Night Boston.