Original text from an earlier festival edition. Dates, performers, prices, addresses and application instructions below are historical; they do not describe the returning 2027 edition. Old forms and transaction controls are disabled. Read current information ↗
First Night Artists
Download the entire First Night Akron 2011 Event Guide.
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Arists: Interactive
A.H.D Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program-Free Photos
Akron-Summit County Public Library-High St. Level 6-10
Photo op for families, kids and couples with an authentic Soap Box Derby car as a remembrance of your First Night experience courtesy of A.H.D. Lead Poisoning Prevention Program and the Akron Area Soap Box Derby.
Akron Draws
Akron Art Museum: Lobby 5:30-10:30
Artist Linda Hutchinson invites artist wannabees of all ages to draw, doodle and sketch.
Akron-Summit County Public Library Children's Make & Take
Akron-Summit County Public Library-Children's Room 5-9
Stop by the Children's Library Make & Take craft.
Asian Services in Action, Inc. (ASIA, Inc.)
National Inventors Hall of Fame 5-9
Asian Services In Action will help you craft your own Chinese lantern that you can take with you. Fortune cookie and Chinese Happy New Year bookmark giveaways.
Bo Bo & Gina
Around Town 6-10
Roving clowns and balloon artists Bobo & Gina create balloon animals and hats.
Sponsored by METRO
Braids & Beads
The Shoppes at Akron Centre 5-9
Braiding and beading is fun for all ages. It’s stylish, fashionable and entertaining. Hair designer Toni J. Weems dazzles kids with trendy braids and colorful beads.
Supported by GOJO Industries, Inc.
Buck and Buffy
Around Town 6-9
Buck the dog and his little sister Buffy are the epitome of cool! They can be seen all over town giving away "Buck Dollars" to kids worth $1 at any Acme Fresh Market Store. Can you find Buck and Buffy at First Night?
Buck & Buffy Provided by: ACME Fresh Market
Confucius Institute Make & Take
UA Polsky: High Street Level 5-10
Learn Chinese writing, language and culture with The University of Akron’s Confucius Institute. Learn to write your name and more in this unique make & take experience.
Engineering Exploration Area
National Inventors Hall of Fame 5-10:30
Transform building blocks and kinex into STEM realted sculptures.
First Night Make & Take
Make a fun, festive, "15" head bobber at Lock 3! Adorn your noggin and go bob bob bobbin' through the First Night footprint!
Game Show Fun
The Shoppes at Akron Centre 6-6:30
The Shoppes at Akron Centre 6:45-7:15
The Shoppes at Akron Centre 7:30-8
Play or watch simulated versions of classic TV game shows. Categories include STEM, Akron, nations of the world, and more. Lockout buzzers, lights and prizes including Cavs tickets!
Girl Scouts of North East Ohio Make & Take
National Inventors Hall of Fame 6-10
Join the Girl Scouts of North East Ohio as they celebrate the old year and ring in the New Year with make and take projects.
Jack, the First Night Jester
Around Town 8-midnight
Jack, the First Night Jester is back for more fun. He'll be roaming around the First Night footprint. See if you can find him at the midnight fireworks show! Jack is provided by Party for a Living!
Sponsored by: METRO
joyUNSPEAKABLE Productions
Akron Civic Theatre: Lobby 6:30-10:30
You will swear it’s a statue! Motionless poses, a convincing costume, an expressionless face painted to match the costume color...only subtle but deliberate movements communicate it’s alive.
Kid's Activities
METRO Transit Center 5-10
Decorate a bag to keep all of your First Night treats and crafts you gather throughout the evening. And make a sunny craft to help keep the night bright!
Let's Move, Summit County!
Summit Artspace 5-9
"Let's Move, Summit County!," in support of Childhood Obesity Awareness is getting everyone moving at Summit Artspace. Sign the family fitness pledge. The first 300 children accompanied by an adult will receive a backpack!
Look-a-Likes
Around Town 6:30-9
You’ll know this look-a-like pair when you see them roaming the First Night footprint.
Sponsored by: METRO
Michael Roy's Cirque Du Papier
Around Town 6-10
Exquisite and interactive origami, starring the humble sheet of paper transformed into folded art pieces for guests to take home as keepsakes.
Sponsored by: METRO
North East Ohio Girl Scouts Make & Take
Join the Girl Scouts of North East Ohio as they celebrate the old year and ring in the New Year with make and take projects.
Paint the Night Away
National Inventors Hall of Fame 5-10
Collaborate with Julienne Hogarth to create a mural about our community. The overall theme will be our community of Greater Akron, First Night and STEM. The painting will develop throughout the evening. Come paint, collage items from the evening, draw or watch as we create an original piece of art commemorating Akron.
Pat Catan's Mask Making
The Shoppes at Akron Centre 5-9
First Night’s favorite make & take returns! From glitter and sequins, to feathers and beads – you’re sure to find the perfect supplies to create a masterpiece.
Pin + Wheel = Fun! with Anitra Redlefsen
Akron-Summit County Public Library-Classroom 5-9
Learning and fun go hand and hand. Design a pinwheel with artist Anitra Redlefsen while learning about wind, kinetic and mechanical energy and renewable and non-renewable energy sources.
Supported by Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund.
Silent Lion
Akron-Summit County Public Library-Children's Room 7:30-8:15
Akron-Summit County Public Library-Children's Room 8:30-9
Join exotic international Celtic duo Silent Lion as they time travel across different styles of music from all over the world, sharing energizing, romantic masterpieces.
Supported by Lloyd and Louis K. Smith Foundation.
Smile! You're on Camera!
METRO Transit Center 6-10
Stop in the Red Eye photo booth and capture your evening with a free photo!
Strange Experiments of the Midnight Sun
Summit Artspace: 2nd Floor 5-11
A workshop and presentation of interactive art works that demonstrate the magic of science, technology, engineering and mathematics including optical illusions; light and lenses; bubbles, mobiles; lasers; water; magnets and structural amazements.
Street Beat Drummers
Around Town 7-12
The Street Beat Drummers will keep you on your toes. Watch for them as they bop through the streets with a smile on their faces and a rhythm that will keep your toes tapping!
Sponsored by: METRO
Studio Hope
John S. Knight Center-Lobby 5-11
Studio Hope hosts a digital jam session featuring Soundbeam technology. Or try their vocal processor that can make your voice sound like Darth Vader, along with other cool effects.
Supported by County of Summit Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services ADM Board.
The Art of Legacies: People Who Put Us On The Map!
National Inventors Hall of Fame 5-10:30
Craft your own paper sculptures while learning about Akron and Summit County legacies. They're the people who put us on the map! It's a new celebration for 2011. A programs of The Summit County Historical Society of Akron, Ohio.
What a Character!
John S. Knight Center-Lobby 6-10
Watching is half the fun as caricature artists draw individual or group caricatures. Three caricature artists will keep the lines moving.
You Shot Rock
Akron Art Museum: Corbin Gallery 5-11
Are you ready to party like a rock star? Check out a rock & roll chronology of records, tapes and CD covers in the O'Neil lobby of museum's 1989 building and stop by the do-it-yourself--album-cover lounge where you can create and display an original rock-inspired photomontage.