First Night Boston 2009

T Minus 9 Days

Joyce — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 22:23:00 GMT

I was going to joke about pushing First Night back a few days, but I won't, because that's how rumors get started. Some media outlet will say we're pushing it back because of budget cuts and then the hotels will start calling and then the phone will start ringing off the hook so that poor Alene is ready to kill me, so I'm not going to do it, as funny as that would be. I'm just going to tell you that we are ready. The production people start working tomorrow, picking up the RV's that will keep the ice sculptors warm as they spend days on the Common carving their masterpieces. We have 6 sculptures this year, 1-2 more than usual, so make sure you see them all.

Anyway, we're busy little elves here, and we'll work through Christmas Eve, take a little break to spend Christmas with our families, and then we're back at it bright and early Dec. 26. Make sure you're watching WBZ-TV newscasts this week, as they're running stories about some of our artists and performers this week. I'll be back soon with more scintillating information about the backstage antics of First Night Boston.

-Joyce

Vote for the First Night Neighborhood Network

Joyce — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 19:40:00 GMT

Virgin America is giving $25,000 to support Boston organizations like ours that are focused on youth education. Did you know that FIRST NIGHT annually serves 2,000 kids through its NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORK, a year-round series of arts education programs that culminate at our New Year’s Eve Festival of the Arts? These performing and visual arts workshops are led by professional artists/teachers and conducted at 40 community-based sites located in every neighborhood of Boston and beyond. We are counting on all our friends to cast their votes for the FIRST NIGHT NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORK. Please go to the following link, and cast your vote today: http://revolutiontakesflight.com/items/First_Night_Neighborhood_Network?c=1

Cross-posting blog from FedEx

Joyce — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 11:07:00 GMT

FedEx Citizenship Blog

First Night Boston 2009 Button Revenue Falls Short

Joyce — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 10:38:00 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRESS CONTACT: Joyce Linehan, joyce@ashmontmedia.com

FIRST NIGHT BOSTON 2009 BUTTON REVENUES FALL SHORT DUE TO STORM. ORGANIZATION ANNOUNCES LAYOFFS, EXPECTED TO BE TEMPORARY

First Night Boston 2009 was an artistic success, but a nasty winter storm that brought 6-8 inches of snow, high winds and arctic temperatures negatively impacted attendance, and button revenue was disappointing. The signature Boston event, that City officials estimate brings a million people downtown on Dec. 31, drew an estimated 300,000 people this year, according to event organizers. Button revenue, projected to be $525,000, fell to an estimated $320,000, leaving the agency with an approximate $195,500 deficit for the 2009 event. Button revenue projections are based on past years’ sales. Final revenue and expense numbers are not in yet, but organizers are confident that these numbers will prove to be correct.

First Night started its fiscal year on April 1, 2008 with an equity reserve of $328,500. This reserve was created to accommodate extraordinary circumstances and cash flow needs. If the reserve fund was reduced to $133,000 to accommodate this year’s loss of $195,500, First Night would not have the cash flow to make it through the first 3 months of its new fiscal year beginning April 1. The situation makes staff layoffs necessary. The hope is that this measure will enable the agency to remain viable though its fiscal year ending March 31, 2009. Three of the five full time First Night staffers have been laid off, in what Executive Director Geri Guardino and the First Night Board of Directors hopes will be a temporary measure. In addition, Guardino will work full time at a greatly reduced salary, and year-round contractors have agreed to substantially reduced rates for the time being. Of the three temporarily eliminated positions, one was previously scheduled to become a part-time contract position for 2009.

Guardino has spent the last several days making additional fundraising efforts and talking to major stakeholders, informing them of the business plan to bring the agency back up to full speed in the spring. All of First Night’s ongoing fee for service contracts will be fulfilled, and First Night hopes to continue to cultivate this kind of earned revenue stream, to guarantee the strength of the agency.

First Night’s total budget for this year is $1.29 million.

The Board and staff of First Night are optimistic that there will be a First Night Boston 2010.

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One small afternoon program change...

Joyce — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 16:14:00 GMT

Old South Meeting House has canceled FN program this afternoon (Amaryllis Chamber Ensemble at 3 p.m.)

Midnight Harbor Fireworks Cruise

Joyce — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 18:05:00 GMT

If you're planning to try to get on the midnight Harbor fireworks cruise, you should get there early. Tickets, available only to First Night button holders, will be handed out starting at 9:30 p.m., and the boat will board at 10:30. The boat leaves from Rowes Wharf.

Old South Church celebrates First Night!

Joyce — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 23:22:00 GMT

Just a note to clarify what's going on at Old South Church for First Night. You may have read about the unfortunate damage done to their property as a result of some renovations being done to the Copley Square T stop. Well, fortunately, the building is still open and still sound, and their First Night festivities are indeed taking place. The afternoon performance did have to be canceled, but the traditional evening program - Old South Brass and Percussion - goes on, at 6:30 and 8 p.m. The best of Boston’s brass and percussion artists join pianist Harry Huff in a supersonic concert, playing electrifying arrangements of popular classics by Bach, Copland, Mussourgsky and LeRoy Anderson, as well as leading the audience in singing stirring favorites.

ice + rain = stop work order

Joyce — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 16:31:00 GMT

Admittedly, I'm no scientist, but even I know that the rain and warm temperatures are not good for ice, thought the latter is certainly good for people. Anyway, because of today's weather and tomorrow's forecast, Don Chapelle's in-progress ice sculpture on Boston Common has been wrapped for the time being. His team will start working on it again tomorrow night (Sunday) or Monday morning, depending on what the weather brings. Despite this, we're all working hard, getting ready for the big night, though we're about to take a break because Poppa B's donated lunch for the crew today, and NO ONE wants to miss that.

Don Chapelle's ice turtle at the Aquarium

Joyce — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 16:55:00 GMT

I know it doesn't look like much now...

Joyce — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 15:34:00 GMT

Pat - I'd like to buy a "t"

Joyce — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 15:22:00 GMT

Rachel Maguire on WBZ TV News today!

Joyce — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:07:00 GMT

Watch or set the Tivo for WBZ-TV's 5 p.m. news today for a profile of Rachel Maguire, the lovely and talented illustrator who designed this year's First Night button. There should be a First Night story on WBZ every day this week, during the 5 p.m. Wish we had time to watch TV!

First Night 2009 Television Spot

Matt — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 17:09:00 GMT

Keep an eye out on WBZ-TV for our 2009 button spot with art work from Rachel Maguire, the First Night 2009 button artist.

my 15 minutes

Joyce — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 11:20:00 GMT

I am on WBCN's Boston Sunday review this morning in the 7 am hour, talking about First Night.

clarification on Old South Church for First Night

Joyce — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 11:15:00 GMT

A clarification on my earlier post about Old South Church programming changed due to damages to the church from recent renovations nearby - the afternoon programming, which featured the church's historic pipe organ, is canceled. The evening program - Old South Brass, Organ & Timpani - will proceed, with piano substituted for organ. (They can't play their organ until the damage is resolved.) There are two evening performances, at 6:30 and 8 p.m.