SARATOGA SPRINGS — Let the pre-revelry period begin! The formal announcement of the First Night Saratoga 2015 schedule (this year’s theme is ‘Art After Dark’) on Monday, Dec. 1 revealed the usual eclectic balance of genres, old favorites and new arrivals to the program.
When seeking family-friendly activities, you truly can’t go wrong with anything on the schedule – that’s as core a value as anything First Night stands for.
But what if you are giving the young ones a treat – bundling up your children, maybe grandchildren and giving them a chance to stay up with the ‘grown-ups’ and (hopefully) get them and you to see the fireworks at midnight? In this case, keeping the fledglings in the family amused and stimulated is Priority Number One.
While the entire spectacle of First Night, by its nature, will do much to hold a child’s attention, the First Night staff recommends you consider exposing your little ones to any or all of these acts, whose target audiences are children (not that you will be bored, either):
1) Airborne Comedians - are a sure bet to make you laugh, whether balanced atop seven foot unicycles or frantically flinging objects at each other. Over the past 15 years, this duo has entertained audiences of all ages and backgrounds. They juggle a cornucopia of objects including (but not limited to) baseball bats, lawn chairs, children, hats, clubs, balls, rings, electric guitars, machetes, flaming lawn chairs, fruits and random objects from the crowd.
Site: Lake Avenue School Gym # 2: 6, 8 and 10 p.m.
2) Alpacas of Breezy Hill Ranch, of Salem, NY will bring two docile alpacas to First Night to pet and feed. Owners Lisa and David Proulx will explain fiber processing from shearing to retail products and bring alpaca hats, gloves, mittens, scarves and socks to purchase. Alpacas are very gentle creatures and they hope love it when kids come by to wish them a Happy New Year!
Site: NBT Bank Parking Lot: All evening starting at 6 p.m.
3) Ballston Spa Film Fest, Inc. (BSFF) is an independent non-profit whose mission is to promote an appreciation of films and filmmaking in the Ballston Spa and Greater Capital District communities. They will present “Best of the Fest:” a selection of the best short films from this year’s BSFF featuring animated and live action films from one to fifteen minutes from around the world... and the neighborhood.
Site: Saratoga Arts’ Dee Sarno Theater: 6 – 8 pm
4) Buckaroo Bindlestiff’s Wild West Jamboree- My personal choice for the extra hyperactive ones in your clan. This Jamboree has it all: Classic Wild West skills like lasso tricks, target bullwhip cracking and a comedy knife-throwing act. But that’s not all! It also includes a “pony” race for young audience volunteers, a cowboy sing-along, juggling, a six-gun spinning safety talk and a comedic look at America’s Old West.
Site: Lake Avenue School Auditorium: 6 – 9 p.m.
5) Jojo’s Fabulous Faces - add a bit of color and sparkle to First Night. They create beautiful, unique designs fast, using professional quality paint and glitter designed to be safe on the skin.
Site: Lake Avenue School Cafeteria: 6 – 11 p.m.
6) The Mop and Bucket Company is the region’s favorite improvisational comedy troupe and a long-time First Night Saratoga favorite. MOPCO brings your suggestions in story, song and games to life.
Sites: Lake Avenue School gym #1: 6, 9 and 10 p.m.
7) Pete and Chris Amusements are the Northeast’s only two-person kid’s comedy magic show. Presto Pete and Incredulous Chris are a high-energy, frenetic duo that uses lots of kid-friendly slapstick.
Site: Lake Avenue School gym #1: 7 and 9 p.m.
8) Saratoga Youth Symphony - The SYS provides an orchestral experience for talented student musicians ages 18 and under and represents more than two-dozen schools throughout the Capital District.
Site: The Church of St. Peter: 6 and 7 p.m.
9) Schuylerville Community Theater - summer camp kids will represent the hippies and flower children of the 1960s with some songs from the retro play they performed last July.
Site: Children’s Museum Community Room: 6, 7 and 8 p.m.
10)Silent Wings Raptors - bring birds of prey up close courtesy of the Wildlife Institute of Eastern New York. Owls, hawks, eagles and falcons; all have remarkable adaptations and skills for survival in the wild and are breathtakingly beautiful and fascinating to watch!
Site: Lake Avenue School Cafeteria: 6 – 11 p.m.
11)The Zucchini Brothers - From Saratoga Springs, Zucchini Brothers Jack, Steve and Sam are renowned for their concerts in schools, theaters and festivals throughout the country, as well as their internationally syndicated weekly radio show “The Zucchini Brothers, Live! at the Clubhouse.”
Site: Lake Avenue School Gym #1: 7 and 8 p.m.
