In Utah's capital city, West Temple will close between 100 and 200 South streets to become "Big Easy Street" for First Night Salt Lake, beginning at 6 p.m. The New Orleans-themed celebration features fire spinners, break dancers, food and Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas headlining at the outdoor main stage on West Temple. Other events, including live music, dance workshops, films, theater and improv comedy, are indoors at the Salt Palace Convention Center, Abravanel Hall and the Assembly Hall on Temple Square. A family festival, with live music and hands-on activities, is from 3 to 6 p.m. at The Grand Hall at the Gateway's Union Pacific Depot.
First Night Salt Lake is an alcohol-free event.
Admission buttons are on sale at Albertson's, the ZCMI Center and The Gateway concierge desk. Cost is $8 today, $10 Saturday. Free admission for children 10 and under. TRAX tickets are free with a First Night button, but free parking is available at Edison Parking, 225 S. Edison (135 East); Exchange Place Garage, 24 E. 300 South; The Gateway, 450 W. 100 South; Lollin and Karrick Building, 200 S. Main St.; Regent Street, 71 E. 200 South; Salt Palace, 200 S. 200 West; and ZCMI Center Mall, 356 S. State.
Other First Nights in Utah
First Night Provo will usher in the new year by lighting fireworks to celebrate the world's different time zones, on the hour starting at 6 p.m., and with a food court of culinary delights from around the globe.
Family-centered events are from 5 to 9 p.m. in heated tents in the downtown area. Entertainment tents for the teen and adult crowd will begin at 9:30 p.m. and go till midnight. Events include billiards, karaoke, dance, speed dating and comedy.
Cost is $5 at the event. Call Provo Parks and Recreation at 801-852-6600.
St. George First Night 2006 begins at 7 p.m. with activities along the Main Street corridor from 100 South to 200 North. Indoor venues include the Pioneer Center for the Arts complex, Main Street Ballroom, Electric Theater, Tabernacle, St. George Musical Theater and the Community Arts Building.
Outdoor entertainment stages feature live music, a karaoke stage, food area and fireworks display at midnight. New this year are a Chili Challenge, film presentations from Zion Independent Film Festival and a dance contest that uses Dance Dance Revolution equipment.
Cost is $6; $5 for children. Visit http://www.sgcity.org or call 435-634-5942.
The St. George Hilton Garden Inn will host a New Year's Eve Gala from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. The Black Tie-Optional event features the RocDox variety band, a live DJ, and a free champagne toast at midnight. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased at The Spectrum and the Hilton Garden Inn. Call 435-634-4100 for tickets and room reservations; 435-668-4671 for information.
First Night Salt Lake lineup
6 p.m.
Assembly Hall on Temple Square (50 W. North Temple):
Rocky Mountain Strings
West Temple between 100 and 200 South:
Twilight Parade Jamboree and Opening Ceremony (fireworks at 6:30 p.m.)
Joseph Smith Memorial Building (15 E. South Temple):
The Kid Fiddlers
Salt Palace Convention Center (100 S. West Temple):
Native American Celebration Pow-Wow
7 p.m.
Abravanel Hall (123 W. South Temple):
Kate MacLeod and Friends - folk rock
Assembly Hall on Temple Square (50 W. North Temple):
Erin and Elizabeth Palmer - soprano and violin
West Temple between 100 and 200 South:
Zion Tribe - Afro-Caribbean groove
Joseph Smith Memorial Building (15 E. South Temple):
Unstrung - bluegrass
Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center (138 W. Broadway):
Hypnotist Kerry Sharp
Salt Palace Convention Center (100 S. West Temple):
The Paul Green School of Rock
Experience
8 p.m.
Abravanel Hall (123 W. South Temple):
Justin Johnson - rock, funk and blues
Assembly Hall on Temple Square (50 W. North Temple):
Saltaires Show Chorus
West Temple between 100 and 200 South:
Jugglers Tribe - fire dancing and tricks
Joseph Smith Memorial Building (15 E. South Temple):
Miss Margene's Creative Generation Musical Theatre
Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center (138 W. Broadway):
Imagine Ballet Theater, One Voice Children's Choir
Salt Palace Convention Center (100 S. West Temple):
Matt Lewis Band - dance pop
Hula Girls Utah Polynesian Dancers - Hawaiian dances
9 p.m.
Abravanel Hall (123 W. South Temple):
Providence - female quartet
Assembly Hall on Temple Square (50 W. North Temple):
Wasatch & District Pipe Band
West Temple between 100 and 200 South:
Way Way East Bay - funk and soul
Joseph Smith Memorial Building (15 E. South Temple):
Colen Sweeten - cowboy poetry
Karen Larsen - Broadway show tunes
Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center (138 W. Broadway):
On the Spot Improv - six-piece comedy troupe
Salt Palace Convention Center (100 S. West Temple):
3Logic - reggae, hip-hop and Latin rock
Cheri Magill - guitar rock/pop
10 p.m.
Abravanel Hall (123 W. South Temple):
Black Wagon - stories of American in song
Assembly Hall on Temple Square (50 W. North Temple):
Sam Payne Project - acoustic jazz
West Temple between 100 and 200 South:
Incediary Circus - fire spinning and juggling
Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas - rock and Zydeco music from New Orleans
Joseph Smith Memorial Building (15 E. South Temple):
New Zealand American Society Maori Cultural Group
Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center (138 W. Broadway):
Shake Your Peace - musical theater vignettes from the worlds of drag queens, pirates, pop and country
Salt Palace Convention Center (100 S. West Temple):
Phat Cat Swinger - swing music from the '40s
Salsa Mania - learn to dance to salsa music
11 p.m.
Abravanel Hall (123 W. South Temple):
Eddy Zenn - folk, rock, blues and jazz
Assembly Hall on Temple Square (50 W. North Temple):
The Brewster Family - Celtic and bluegrass
Salt Palace Convention Center (100 S. West Temple):
Brian Brimhall - guitarist/vocalist
Midnight
West Temple between 100 and 200 South:
Fireworks and onstage jambalaya party
First Night
* For more information about Salt Lake City's First Night celebration: 801-359-5118 or http://www. firstnightslc.org.
