First Night: Back Again, Right on the Button!

Next Monday, New Year's Eve, will see the return of the First Night celebration to the heart of Tacoma's downtown Theatre District. First Night is an alcohol free celebration of the New Year, and also also a celebration of community, the arts, creativity, and diversity. This year's theme is "Year of the Pirate," and magicians, fire dancers and other acts will energize the streets where Main Stage entertainment, a host of artistic activities and a midnight fireworks display will be provided free to the public.

Purchase of a First Night button provides all-access admission to entertainment spanning seven venues, including:

• Rhythms of Grammy Award winning recording artists in the Pantages Center;
• Antics of Nellie the Performing Pig--who dazzled Leno, Letterman and Oprah--as she takes the stage at the Rialto Theater;
• A scene from "Shakespeare in the Parking Lot" at Sanford & Son;
• The Club SOTA Instrument Petting Zoo;
• An opportunity to help create 1,000 cranes at the Asia Pacific Cultural Center.

The buttons also provide a free visit to the Museum of Glass and the Washington State History Museum between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. First Night button holders will also enjoy 15 percent savings while dining at Ravenous, Varsity Grill, India Mahal and Stadium Bistro. Appetizer specials are offered when showing the button at TwoKoi, El Toro or Galanga Thai, and Hello Cupcake is offering a two for one discount.

Buttons may be purchased in advance for $7.00 at Museum of Glass, Leroy Jewelers, Glenna's Clothing and Sanford & Son; on Monday, remaining buttons will be available at the Broadway Center for the Performing Arts box office (with the price then at $8.00). Kids ages 7 and under are admitted free to all venues.

The BIA is providing stepped up security patrols and cleaning to help make the evening brighter. The Tacoma Link light rail hours of operation will be extended until 1:00 a.m. Tuesday to accomodate First Night traffic.