ABOUT FIRST NIGHT EVANSTON
First Night Evanston is an artistic and cultural celebration on New Year's Eve, modeled on the Boston, MA, event that began in 1976. Founders there wanted to celebrate the new year with an alcohol-free evening.
Since first welcoming 1992, First Night Evanston continues to bring together first-class talent, both national and local. To celebrate the millennium in 2000, over 15,000 people (from over 70 zip codes) enjoyed activities at nearly 50 locations that were staffed by 450 volunteers. It was the largest turnout in the state.
With the economic downturn in 2007-08, many First Nights across the country folded. First Night Evanston managed to survive another year but a poor business decision forced the organization to fold. All contracted performers were paid and the state and IRS were notified of the intention to disband.
In 2013 as planning to celebrate Evanston’s 150th anniversary moved forward, severa; former First Night board members met and decided to bring back the event. It would cap off the full year of local events. Over 3000 people attended despite 6” of snow by 6 pm.
The tradition continues on a smaller scale. Nichols Hall at the Music Institute of Chicago is surely one of the best places in Evanston: wonderful acoustics, a beautiful stage and comfortable seating. And a choice of over 8 pianos for Corky Siegel.
Please include First Night in your plans for this new year’s eve. Please consider contributing to help support the artists. Tickets would be $75 without support from our friends, local businesses, institutions and associations.
Why is it called First Night?
Why is it called “first night” when it's really the last night of the year?
The name originated in Boston where it was founded in 1976. Artist Clara Wainwright and some friends came up with the idea of a New Year’s Eve celebration that would draw in families, involve children, and wasn’t just
about partying and drinking, according to a 2006 article in The New York Times.:
https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/29/travel/escapes/29ahead.html
So, while it’s somewhat of a misnomer to call it first night (strictly speaking), Wainwright and the event organizers made that choice for a name quite consciously.
“We wanted to focus on the positive,” she told The New York Times “ and we agreed that ‘first night’ is a bit like a theatrical opening.”
