The artists, times, venues, sponsors and application information below belong to this earlier edition. They are not the returning 2027 line-up. Old controls are disabled.
First Night Artists
SELECT GENRE: Theatre | Music | Visual | Dance | Interactive | Mainstage | Performance Art
All Artists
Actors' Summit Theater
Greystone Hall-Theater, 6th Floor 6:30-9 p.m.
Enjoy "Best of Broadway", an evening of some of the best loved songs, performed by our company members.
Visit website.
Site supported by: 
Adam Cord, Fingerstyle Guitarist
Zion Lutheran Church - Gym/Food Court 6-6:15 p.m.
Zion Lutheran Church - Gym/Food Court 7-7:15 p.m.
Zion Lutheran Church - Gym/Food Court 8-8:15 p.m.
Malone University’s Adam Cord is an instructor of guitar and author from Akron, Ohio. His performances, recordings and publications reflect his love for the guitar.
Performance supported by: Northeast Ohio Parent
Site supported by: 
Akron Art Museum
Akron Art Museum 6-10 p.m.
Visit the masterpieces in the museum's collection and view the following exhibitions: The Museum Collection; Charles Beneke: Specter; Andrea Modica: Extended Moments; Nat Geo; Island of Misfit Toys.
Site supported by: 
Akron Art Museum Activities: LiteBrite & Let it Snow
Akron Art Museum: Lobby 6-11 p.m.
In this interactive video installation, visitors will have a chance to make their own digital snow and watch it fall from the museum's windows-inside and out. Light up the Night with a larger-than-life LiteBrite.
Stage supported by: Akron Children's Hospital
Site supported by:
Akron Big Band
Greystone Hall: Ballroom, 2nd Floor 6-10 p.m.
Come listen, dance and swing the night away to classic Big Band songs of the 1930s and 40s as well as big band recreations of modern popular tunes! Visit website.
Stage supported by: John S. Knight Center
Site supported by:
Akron Derbytown Mens Chorus
Zion Lutheran Church - Sanctuary 7:30-8 p.m.
Zion Lutheran Church - Sanctuary 8:15-8:45 p.m.
A very active mens chorus that performs acappella music throughout the Akron metropolitan area for audiences of all ages. If you enjoy vocal music, you'll love this chorus. Visit website.
Stage supported by: Labels & Letters
Site supported by:
Akron Digital Media Center
John S. Knight Center: Karder Terrace 6-9 p.m.
Stop by for a quick lesson on how to make videos on your digital device, then create a 60 second video capturing why you love Downtown Akron. #20FirstNights
Visit website.
Site supported by: 
Akron Video Game Truck
John S. Knight Center-Exhibit Hall 1 6-10 p.m.
Ohio Mobile Gaming is bringing their mobile video game theater to First Night. The truck is complete with five TVs, multiple gaming systems including Xbox One, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii and a brand new sound system. Grab a friend and come play!
Site supported by:
Ashley Brooke Toussant
Summit Artspace: 3rd Floor 7:45-9 p.m.
Soft, sweet yet powerful and will stop you in your tracks, making you want to hear more. Visit website.
Performance supported by: R.C. Musson and Katherine M. Musson Foundation
Site supported by: 
Asian Services in Action Inc.
Akron-Summit County Public Library-Classroom 6-9 p.m.
Asian Services In Action invites you to come and learn to make a paper folded ball or box. Visit website.
Performance supported by: A. Schulman, Inc.
Site supported by: 
Backroom Boys Bluegrass Band
Zion Lutheran Church - Sanctuary 9-10 p.m.
Come listen, sing and dance to the Backroom Boys - not your ordinary bluegrass music.
Stage supported by: Labels & Letters
Site supported by:
Blue Lunch
John S. Knight Center-Main Fl 1 (Firestone/OMNOVA/Goodrich) 6-7:30 p.m.
The Cleveland-based blues band has delighted club goers in the Midwest for over three decades. Visit website.
Stage supported by: Omnova Solutions, Inc.
Site supported by:
Bonnie Baughman
Zion Lutheran Church - Gym/Food Court 7:15-8 p.m.
Soloist performs show tunes, love songs, songs from 1920s and 30s. Fun music and sing-a-long. Visit website.
Stage supported by: Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund
Site supported by:
Box of Squirrels
Akron Art Museum: Auditorium 9:30-11 p.m.
Box of Squirrels plays a mix of acoustic music from Chuckberry to the Old Crow Medicine Show, with 4-part harmonies and a lot of humor, for all ages. Visit website.
Stage supported by: The Sisler McFawn Foundation
Site supported by:
Braids & Beads
John S. Knight Center-Exhibit Hall 1 6-9 p.m.
Braids and Beads is excitement for everyone. Design your own color patterns of beads and watch them slide onto your braid.
Site Supported by:
Brian Henke
Akron-Summit County Public Library-High St. Level 6-7:30 p.m.
Brian Henke composes and performs his music like a painter putting images on canvas, a kind of sonic shaman, drawing his inspiration from the world around him. He will be performing music from all seven of his CD’s.
Stage supported by: Goodyear
Site supported by:
Brian Lisik
Akron-Summit County Public Library-Main St. Level 8:15-9:45 p.m.
A six-time First Night performer with four album releases, Brian Lisik's music has been featured on 91.3 The Summit in Akron, Fox 8 in Cleveland, and the Huffington Post. Visit website.
Stage supported by: Robert O. & Annamae Orr Family Foundation
Site sponsored by:
Canstruction
Akron Art Museum: Lobby 6-11 p.m.
Come see the Canorah, a menorah made of canned goods. A project of Chabad of Akron/Canton & Revere Rd. Synagogue.
Stage supported by: Akron Children's Hospital
Site supported by:
Children's Library Make & Take
Akron-Summit County Public Library-Children's Room 6-9 p.m.
Make & Take "Shooting Stars."
Site supported by:
Cleveland Chinese Music Ensemble featuring pipa soloist Yang Jin & vocalist Sandra Emmeline
Greystone Hall, 4th floor 6-7:30 p.m.
Cleveland Chinese Music Ensemble featuring pipa/zhongruan soloist Yang Jin and vocalist Sandra Emmeline
A selection of favorite Chinese melodies and songs, including dazzling solo pieces for the pipa and zhongruan lutes, played on traditional wind, string, and percussion instruments. Visit Facebook and Youtube.
Stage supported by: The Welty Family Foundation
Site supported by:
Colin Dussault's Blues Project
Mainstage 9:30-10:30 p.m.
Mainstage 10:45-11:45 p.m.
The hardest working band in Northeast Ohio. Making award-wining, harmonica driven, blues based, roots, rock n’ soul music since 1989.
Site supported by:
Confucius Institute at the University of Akron
Akron-Summit County Public Library-Main St. Level 6-9 p.m.
The University of Akron's Confucius Institute is dedicated to enhancing the understanding of the Chinese language and culture around the world. Come join the Confucious Institute and learn how to make the dragons Long and Xiao dance in celebration of the New Year.
Stage supported by: Robert O. and Annamae Orr Family Foundation
Site supported by:
Connie Bloom's Quilting Arts Studio and Gallery
Summit Artspace: 3rd Floor 6-9 p.m.
Connie’s lush, colorful paintings are made out of fabric and thread, but are nothing like what grandma used to make. Come watch her draw and write with her mechanical sewing machine.
Site supported by:
Copali
Akron-Summit County Public Library-High St. Level 8-9 p.m.
Copali infuses many different styles into its original instrumental sound combining the steel drum, clarinet, saxophone, guitar, bass, and drumset. Visit Facebook.
Stage supported by: Goodyear
Site supported by:
Dale Galgozy
Zion Lutheran Church - Gym/Food Court 6:15-7 p.m.
Country Blues musician Dale Galgozy; original songs, traditional styles. A jazzy-melodic guitarist and an exceptional singer delivers his original songs with a lyrical burst of creative poetics. Visit website.
Performance supported by: Kenneth L. Calhoun Charitble Trust, KeyBank, Trustee
Site supported by:
ETC Heid's School of Musical Arts
Akron Civic Theatre 6-6:45 p.m.
These young award winning performers from the greater Akron area sing today's biggest hits with exciting costuming and high energy choreography. Visit website.
Performance supported by: Cohen & Company
Site supported by: 
Etta Mae Smith Studio of Dance
Akron-Summit County Public Library: Auditorium 6-6:30 p.m.
Etta Mae Smith Studio of Dance has been a Akron business for 60 years. We are dedicated to continuing the legacy of our founder Etta Mae Smith. Visit Facebook.
Stage supported by: METRO
Site supported by:
FirstEnergy Zone
John S. Knight Center-Exhibit Hall 1 6-10 p.m.
Jump into the FirstEnergy Zone in the upper Exhibit Hall at the John S. Knight Center.
The FirstEnergy Zone boasts activities for all - the young and the young at heart - with the Akron Video Game Truck, bounce houses, obstacle course, jousting area and other inflatables by OMG! Also enjoy a live DJ, face painting, hair braiding and more until 10 p.m.
Site supported by:
Get Painted
John S. Knight Center-Exhibit Hall 1 6-9 p.m.
Airbrush temporary tattoos. Visit website.
Site supported by:
Goodnight Tonight
John S. Knight Center-Main Fl 2 (Bridgestone/Hay/Foundations 6-7:30 p.m.
Goodnight Tonight, a Melodic rock band from Kent, Ohio plays First Night Akron to help celebrate the New Year! Visit website.
Stage supported by: Roetzel & Andress
Site supported by:
Goodyear Ice Sculpture Garden
Lock 3 6 p.m.-12 a.m.
Take a trip down memory lane in an ice sculpture garden filled with sculptures representing each year of First Night Akron. Live ice carving demonstrations by Elegant Ice Creations at 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m., and 8:30 p.m.
Supported by: 
Hard Day's Night
Akron Civic Theatre 9:45-11:30 p.m.
Hard Day's Night offers a complete visual and note show for the audience to experience the feeling of an actual Beatles Concert. from 1964-70. Visit website.
Performance supported by: GOJO Industries, Inc.
Site supported by:
Hattie's Creative Arts
Summit Artspace: 3rd Floor 6-9 p.m.
The Hattie's Creative Arts studio at Summit Artspace opened in October 2015. The Creative Arts program provides an opportunity for people with disabilities to paint, create ceramic pieces, and shoot photos.
Site supported by:
Horse Drawn Sleigh Rides by Carriage Limousine
Mainstage 6-9 p.m.
Carriage Limousine Service will offer sleigh rides through beautiful Downtown Akron in a one-of-a-kind eight passenger horse drawn sleigh.
Site supported by:
Jason Alan Magic
John S. Knight Center-Goodyear Ballroom 6-6:45 p.m.
John S. Knight Center-Goodyear Ballroom 7-7:45 p.m.
Join Jason Alan Magic in a world full of wonder, unexplainable moments, and excitement. Our high energy show will keep you on the edge of your seat. Visit website.
Performance supported by: Pritt Entertainment Group
Site supported by:
JLTS Gospel Singers
Zion Lutheran Church - Sanctuary 6-6:30 p.m.
Zion Lutheran Church - Sanctuary 6:45-7:15 p.m.
JLTS Gospel Singers--a group you don't want miss. Singing types of gospel ranging from a cappella to contemporary gospel and everything in between!
Stage supported by: Labels & Letters
Site supported by:
Joan Colbert Studio
Summit Artspace: 3rd Floor 6-9 p.m.
Relief prints, monotypes and mixed media.
Site supported by:
Kaleidoscope Exhibit
Summit Artspace: Gallery 6-9 p.m.
Hundreds of regional artists compete to get into the most anticipated and final art competition of the year at Summit Artspace, Kaleidoscope 2015. But only a fraction make it into the show, where the quality of the work is uniformly high. Kaleidoscope was founded by Alliance for the Visual Arts in 2002 and has become a well-respected and frequently reviewed source of inspiration for Northeast Ohio art aficionados. It is housed in the first floor gallery of Summit Artspace.
Site supported by:
Kofi Boakye & Yours Truly
Greystone Hall, 4th floor 8-9:30 p.m.
16 year-old Award-winning pianist Kofi Boakye introduces his newest R&B/Pop/Jazz/Funk infused musical group, "Yours Truly" featuring Cody Mansfield on Bass, Jeff "Chochi" Law on drums and Vinnie Mansfield on guitar.
Stage supported by: The Welty Family Foundation
Site supported by:
Laser Light Show
John S. Knight Center-Exhibit Hall 1 9-9:15 a.m.
Come in from the cold at 9 p.m. for an early celebration of the coming new year. Enjoy our new FirstMerit Bank laser light spectacular countdown show inside the John S. Knight Center in the upper exhibit hall.
Supported by: 
Let's Face it Caricatures
John S. Knight Center: Karder Terrace 6-9 p.m.
Lets Face It Caricatures is always "drawing" a crowd. TOON OUT! for 2016. A picture is worth a thousand words but a caricature is worth a million laughs.
Site supported by:
Magic Mike Productions
Akron-Summit County Public Library: Auditorium 7-7:45 p.m.
Akron-Summit County Public Library: Auditorium 8-8:45 p.m.
Magic Mike reappears to amaze and astonish children and adults of all ages with interactive magic and illusion.
Stage supported by: METRO
Site supported by:
Magical Theatre Company
Akron Art Museum: Auditorium 6-6:45 p.m.
Akron Art Museum: Auditorium 7-7:45 p.m.
Akron Art Museum: Auditorium 8-8:45 p.m.
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. An ordinary day for Alice is turned upside down when her curiosity leads her to the madcap world of the White Rabbit, the Mad Hatter & March Hare, the Duchess & the Cook, the Mock Turtle, and of course, the wildly dangerous Queen of Hearts. Outrageously funny and clever.
Stage supported by: The Sisler McFawn Foundation
Site supported by:
Mick and Rick
John S. Knight Center-Main Fl 2 (Bridgestone/Hay/Foundations 10-11:30 p.m.
Mick and Rick perform the great rock and soul songs of the 60s and 70s plus 6 original songs. Visit website.
Stage supported by: Roetzel & Andress
Site supported by:
Midnight Fireworks
Mainstage midnight
FirstMerit Bank has supported First Night Akron every year for 20 years. Since the beginning, they bring in the new year with a bang during the FirstMerit Fireworks Show. After you experience the sights and sounds of First Night’s nine other venues, head back to the Mainstage before midnight and join in the countdown to 2016 with FirstMerit’s fireworks extravaganza.
Supported by:
Neos Dance Theatre
Greystone Hall: Ballroom, 2nd Floor 6-10 p.m.
Dance the new year away with Neos Dance Theatre. Widely known for their contemporary balletic style, Neos will perform selections of their repertory and dance with the audience. Grab your ballroom shoes and get ready to dance.
Stage supported by: John S. Knight Center
Site supported by:
OMG! Inflatables
John S. Knight Center-Exhibit Hall 1 6-10 p.m.
Kick off your shoes and let loose. Jump in a bounce house, race a friend on the bungee run, make your way through the obstacle course and more. Fun for all ages provided by Ohio Mobile Gaming.
Site supported by:
Pat Catan's Mask Making
Akron-Summit County Public Library-Classroom 6-9 p.m.
First Night’s favorite make and take activity is back! With sequins, feathers and beads, you’ll find the perfect combination to create a masterpiece.
Site supported by:
Pat Vaughan
Summit Artspace: 3rd Floor 6-7:15 p.m.
A performance of mostly original songs played with bass and percussion accompaniment. Visit website.
Performance supported by: Lloyd L. and Louise K. Smith Memorial Foundation
Site supported by:
Paul Kovac
Akron-Summit County Public Library-High St. Level 9:30-10:30 p.m.
An Ohio Arts Council Master Artist, multi-instrumentalist Paul Kovac shares his expertise in bluegrass, folk, and Americana music. He's performed with Roy Clark and many more. Visit website.
Stage supported by: Goodyear
Site supported by:
Pick Up Stix
John S. Knight Center-Exhibit Hall 1 8:45-9:15 p.m.
John S. Knight Center 9:30-10 p.m.
Mainstage 11:15-midnight
Cleveland based stiltwalking company with a wide range of bright costumes. Our stilts are loaded with high powered LED's as well as our costumes-also tallest stilters in Ohio! Visit website and Facebook.
Sites sponsored by:
Pure Energy Entertainment Services
John S. Knight Center-Exhibit Hall 1 6-10 p.m.
Join Pure Energy for a DJ dance party! Music for all ages.
Site supported by:
REDonFIRE
John S. Knight Center 8:15-8:45 p.m.
Since 2004, RED has been enchanting audiences with her fire/flag dancing. Although she has taken many different styles of dance classes throughout her life, she is mostly self-taught with Fire Poi. Visit Facebook.
Site supported by:
Rexie the T-Rex
John S. Knight Center 6:30-7 p.m.
John S. Knight Center 7:30-8 p.m.
John S. Knight Center 8:30-9 p.m.
Rexie the T-Rex is a giant, anatomically perfect, totally realistic dinosaur puppet over 8 ft tall and 12 ft long! Everyone loves to get their picture with Rexie. Visit website.
Performance supported by: Huntington Bank
Site supported by:
Rubber City Prints
Summit Artspace: 1st Floor 6-9 p.m.
RCP will have free community printmaking event with free bubbles and ink printmaking. Come and make a take home relief of bubbles. Great for kids and adults. We will also have other fun processes available.
Site supported by:
Shivering Timbers
Akron Civic Theatre 7:15-9:15 p.m.
Shivering Timbers is back-bringing their electric mix of Americana, rock, folk, and gospel music. Visit website.
Performance supported by: Meggitt Aircraft Braking Systems Corporation
Site supported by:
Silent Disco
John S. Knight Center-Main Fl 1 (Firestone/OMNOVA/Goodrich) 6:30-11 p.m.
Grab a pair of wireless headphones and dance the night away. The Silent Disco features DJ Neon Tetra, One T Entertainment, and DJ Ben Crazy.
Site supported by:
Spoon Man
Akron-Summit County Public Library-Main St. Level 6-6:45 p.m.
Akron-Summit County Public Library-Main St. Level 7-7:45 p.m.
Musical interactive comedian who plays spoons. Visit website.
Stage supported by: Robert O. & Annamae Orr Family Foundation
Site supported by:
Star Wars Fun Room (ages 4-9)
Zion Lutheran Church - 3rd Floor 7-9 p.m.
Join us anytime between 7-9 p.m. in our Star Rooms Fun Room for games, crafts and other activities that will bring Star Wars to life for the kids.
Site supported by:
The Angie Haze Project
Akron-Summit County Public Library: Auditorium 9:15-10:45 p.m.
Bells around her ankle, drums and tambourines encircling her piano, a guitar, melodica, cowbell and a kazoo…We give you, Angie Haze, the gypsy/folk singer-songwriter who brings a caravan of Akron's most talented musicians with her to the stage. Visit website.
Stage supported by: METRO
Site supported by:
The Bizarros
John S. Knight Center-Main Fl 1 (Firestone/OMNOVA/Goodrich) 10-11:30 p.m.
One of the few Akron bands from the Akron sound era that is still writing, recording and performing in the area. Visit website.
Stage supported by: Omnova Solutions Inc.
Site supported by:
The BOX: An Artists of Rubber City Gallery
Summit Artspace: 3rd Floor 6-9 p.m.
The Big Box Gallery features a show of fiber and clay, titled "Thread & Mud," juried by Michael Martel and Claudia Zeber. Printmaker Joan Colbert fills the Small Box Gallery with "As Potent as a Charm," a series based on fascinating and poisonous plants.
Site supported by:
The Gage Brothers
Akron Art Museum: Lobby 9-10:30 p.m.
The Gage Brothers are an Americana band from Akron, OH. Their blend of vocal harmonies, instruments and driven lyrics will have you clapping and stomping along. Visit website and Facebook.
Stage supported by: Akron Children's Hospital
Site supported by:
The Illusion Factory
Summit Artspace: 2nd Floor 6:30-7:15 p.m.
Summit Artspace: 2nd Floor 7:30-8:15 p.m.
The Illusion Factory, Akron's own theatre for young audiences, presents the audience participation play, "The Hat." Performed in the round, the young audience shares in solving the mysterious adventures created by an extraordinary hat.
Performance supported by: Moffitt Foundation
Site supported by:
The Labra Brothers
John S. Knight Center-Main Fl 2 (Bridgestone/Hay/Foundations 8-9:30 p.m.
Three brothers make up this Latin, Rock, R&B, and Blues inspired band.
Stage supported by: Roetzel & Andress
Site supported by:
The League of Creative Interventionalists
Summit Artspace - Ramp Room 6-9 p.m.
Find peace at this New Year's interactive art installation.
Site supported by:
The Nightlight
The Nightlight 6-9 p.m.
The Animation Show of Shows. A collection of some of the best in animated short films, selected from festivals around the world.
Site supported by: 
The Sarata and Lempner Jazz Duo
Zion Lutheran Church - Gym/Food Court 8:15-9 p.m.
The Sarata (guitar) and Lempner (saxophone) duo performs "golden era" jazz music with fresh, engaging and unique interpretations. Visit website.
Performance supported by: The Murdough Foundation
Site supported by:
Theron Brown Jazz Trio
John S. Knight Center-Main Fl 1 (Firestone/OMNOVA/Goodrich) 8-9:30 p.m.
Akron-based jazz pianist, Theron Brown, leads this trio of talented musicians.
Stage supported by: Omnova Solutions, Inc.
Site supported by:
University of Akron Steel Drum Band
John S. Knight Center-Goodyear Ballroom 8-9:30 p.m.
Experience the sounds of the Caribbean with members of the University of Akron Steelband. Warm up with the magical music of the national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago, the steelpan!
Stage supported by: Pritt Entertainment Group
Site supported by:
Wandering Aesthetics
Summit Artspace - Ramp Room 6:15-7 p.m.
Summit Artspace - Ramp Room 7:15-8 p.m.
Be “at peace" this New Year’s Eve. Join Wandering Aesthetics’ Storyteller Kyle Jozsa as he uses songs and stories to lead an interactive journey to inner (and outer) peace. Visit Facebook,
Performance supported by: Charles E. and Michael M. Ritchie Foundation
Site supported by:
Yiddishe Cup
John S. Knight Center-Goodyear Ballroom 10:00-11:30 p.m.
“Hava Nagila” to the 10th Power! This Klezmer Band lights up the stage with their eccentric mix of Yiddish Music.
Stage supported by: Pritt Entertainment Group
Site supported by:
Zion Balloon Twisting
Zion Lutheran Church - 3rd Floor 7-9 p.m.
Kids of all ages will delight in the dogs, giraffes and flowers twisted from a variety of colored balloons.
Site supported by:
Zion Face Painting
Zion Lutheran Church - 3rd Floor 7-9 p.m.
Enjoy bright and lively designs such as balloons, flags, flowers, names, numbers, and many more multi-colored designs for children of all ages.
Site supported by:
Zion Interactive, Live-Action Star Wars Show
Zion Lutheran Church - 3rd Floor 7-7:30 p.m.
Zion Lutheran Church - 3rd Floor 8-8:30 p.m.
Join us for an interactive, live-action Star Wars show for kids ages 4-9. The kids will get the chance to be a part of the show and help save the galaxy from the forces of evil. Come and watch an entirely new generation become Star Wars fans.
Site supported by:
Zion's Praise Singers
Zion Lutheran Church - Gym/Food Court 5-5:45 p.m.
The Praise Team of Zion Lutheran Church will offer joyous, up-beat songs that praise the Lord.
Site supported by: