907 Britt 
"Alaskan folksinger/songwriter 907Britt will perform original music from waltzing love songs to sea shanties, in an acoustic trio with Richie Reinholdt on mandolin and Ted Lowe on bass." http://907britt.com
Christian Ackerman "The Mime"
Christian Ackerman performs the art of pantomime, impersonations, dance, and slapstick comedy synced to swinging music, all in a stage performance. Back again for First Night 2012, “The Mime” is wildly popular for all ages. www.christianackerman.com
Jenn Adams & Lawrence Duncan.jpg)
An acoustic evening of jazz, blues and folk with two of Montana’s most renowned performing musicians, Jenn Adams and Lawrence Duncan.
Stan Anglen and Headwaters
Stan is a fly fishing guide in and around Missoula, Montana. He writes and performs original songs that capture the essence of being on a river fly fishing in Montana. Website http://www.myspace.com/stananglen
Aniysa
Join Aniysa for the sights and sounds of Middle Eastern Dance. Aniysa and her students will demonstrate a variety of styles from Folkloric Cane to an Elegant Veil Dance. Aniysa has studied Middle Eastern Dance since 1977, and has taught dance in Missoula for over 20 years.
Bella Corda Guitar Quartet 
The Missoula Bella Corda Guitar Quartet has been playing as a group for 6 years, and has performed in a variety of venues including Montana Public Radio, Out to Lunch, River City Roots Festival, and First Night. Teenage Childbloom Guitar Program students Duggan Backhouse-Prentiss, Arthur Befumo, and Jenna and Jamie Wevers perform complex, nuanced arrangements of world, jazz, and classical pieces, spanning sounds from Bach to Bossa Nova with a sensitivity and expressiveness that is rare in a group of such young musicians.
Big Sky Mudflaps
The Big Sky Mudflaps are celebrating 36 years of performing together. They have toured nationally, making appearances on both Prairie Home Companion and the NBC Today Show, but their favorite audiences are here in Montana. They have performed for every First Night since its inception, and are still one of the most popular groups of the event.
Zan Bockes, Poets & Writers Live
Zan Bockes will be reading from her own poetry and flash fiction. Be prepared for the electric and eclectic.
Beth Bramhall
Beth Bramhall is a pianist, accordionist and composer who finds herself unable to paint between the lines of musical genre. With influences from tango nuevo to ambient jazz, her music has been heard in live theater productions, PBS documentaries and new music festivals. Today's set may include special guests.
The Captain Wilson Conspiracy
The Captain Wilson Conspiracy, features pianist Keaton Wilson, Jeff Stickney, trumpet and flugelhorn, and Steve Kalling on doublebass. The Conspiracy plays acoustic, electric (and even electronic) jazz with an ear to the contemplative sensibilities of classic post-bop performers as well as contemporary and world music, swinging hard and always emphasizing the role of improvisation and group interplay as the fundamental elements of jazz.
The Celtic Dragon Pipe Band
A perennial favorite at every Missoula First Night, the Celtic Dragon Pipe Band plays ensemble music with bagpipes and drums in the Scottish regimental style. Montana’s premier pipe band is pleased to perform throughout the Northwest and in Canada, and especially at home for the holidays.
Maren Christensen
Singer/Songwriter Maren Christensen writes from the heart. The lyrical intimacy of her songwriting speaks to all of us as if we were speaking to ourselves. Her songs captivate us with delicate intrigue and charm while reminding us that our own dreams and hearts desires can be real regardless of how complex the world may seem around us. She will be joined by a few members of Her Really Big Small Band; Pete Hand on bass and Laura Hibbs on accordion. Website: www.marenchristensen.com
The City Clickers
The City Clickers were formed in 1991 since then they have danced weekly to learn routines and practice. They have monthly performances at several rest homes rehab centers, schools, RSVP luncheons, birthday parties and lodges. The City Clickers have danced all over the country including the 4th of July Parade in Washington D.C. and the Aloha Festival parade in Hawaii.
Mike and Tari Conroy
Mike & Tari Conroy play great old-time bluegrass. Mike swaps between the five string banjo and mandolin while Tari plays guitar, the two will also share singing duties. For this First Night performance they will be joined by bass playing Bonnie Bliss from Oldtown Idaho. Fun to listen to, fun to watch, don't miss em!
The Coyote Choir 
The Missoula Coyote Choir is an auditioned group of young singers committed to making beautiful music that inspires people of all ages to get outside and help take care of the Earth. The Coyotes demonstrate that kids' voices matter, and that music is an important part of honoring the natural world. The choir was founded by Amy Martin in 2007, to sing on the album Ask the Planet, which she wrote and co-produced for the Biomimicry Institute. This year, the Coyotes are celebrating their fifth season -- and their fifth First Night performance!
Currents Indoor Water Park
Currents is the year-round indoor water park in McCormick Park and is home to Parks and Recreation headquarters and Headwaters, a state-of-art community room available for public use. The sun is always shining at Currents!
Michael Delaney as "Mark Twain"
Mark Twain once said, " Humor is the great thing, the saving thing. The minute it crops up, all our irritations and resentments slip away and a sunny spirit takes their place." Mark Twain is still widely thought of as one of America's most clever storytellers, and Michael Delaney's convincing portrayal makes an enriching stop in your First Night adventure. This is a great chance for everyone to unwind after a long day of First Night romping, or a chance to transport yourself to another time before you set off for more fun this New Year's Eve. Website www.montanatwain.com
Deni & The Smokin' Jackets
Deni and the Smokin' Jackets: The Smokin' Jackets are a swinging five piece jazz essemble featuring vocalist Deni Llovet, Bill James on bass, Ed Stalling on drums, Pat Montgomery on saxophone, and Bob Skogley on keyboards. If you like to dance, this one is for you. The Smokin' Jackets play a mixture of old standards with with a little blues and contemporary favorites thrown in. They have been playing to enthusiastic crowds in western Montana for over five years and are always a favorite at Jazzoula.
Derailed
Derailed is a local "progressive acoustic" band. Caleb Dostal, on the banjo, has won many awards and played with many nationally recognized names such as J.D. Webb. Dillon Johns plays jazz and classical and has also participated and won many awards and first place titles. Wesley Douglas is a hot picker from Missoula, and vocalist Jesse Brown plays violin and Mandolin. If you like toe tapping music and/or some smooth, slow acoustic sounds then come on down and see us!
The Drum Brothers
Drum Brothers present high energy performances that celebrate a diverse mix of world instruments and sounds: West African jembe and dunun drums, Middle Eastern frame drums, Australian didgeridoo, close harmony vocals, acoustic guitar, flute, saxophone, and original arrangements and compositions. Audience participation will be encouraged as Drum Brothers move through the crowd and share simple steps with those interested.
Dan Dubuque
Dan Dubuque is Missoula's one man soul band. On his Weissenborn lap slide guitar and dobro, he plays blues, rhythm, and soul.
The Ed Norton Big Band
Missoula First Night 2012 Featured Performer
The Ed Norton Big Band is Missoula's only professional large swing orchestra, specializing in the classic sounds of the great American swing era. 5 saxophones, 4 trombones, 4 trumpets, piano, guitar, bass, drums. The band has performed for almost every First Night finale. Website: www.cdbaby.com/cd/salsaloca
El 3-OH
EL3-OH! plays jazz and swing music with an emphasis on improvisation and fun.
The F.R.O.G.S.
The Federation for the Renewal Of Group Singing (the F.R.O.G.S.) was formed in response to the epidemic of "I can't sing-itis" sweeping the nation. Their mission: to sing their hearts out, and have a blast doing it, thereby inoculating themselves and others from the notion that singing is something to be done only in the privacy of cars and showers. Led by Amy Martin and accompanied by Josh Farmer and the Croakers, the F.R.O.G.S. will move you with their passion and fun. You may even get inspired to join their revolution!
The Federico Brothers
The Frederico Brothers is an accomplished folk act in which the star of the show is the song. The Frederico Brothers are: Bruce Carlson, vocals and guitar; Phil Hamilton. harmonicas; Paul Kelley, vocals, bass; Roger Moquin, vocals, drums; and Peter Walther, vocals, electric guitar, mandolin. All five live in Missoula, have day jobs and families, and approach music for the creative joy of it. Besides singing songs about trains, death, and love gone wrong, the group focuses on vocal harmonies and great songs - both original and otherwise.
First Baptist Worship Team
Come in out of the cold and warm your soul, with refreshments and music provided by First Baptist Church and their Worship Band. You will experience a variety of family-friendly music from hymns to contemporary songs, as well as a kid's story time; so come and go as you please, sing along, or just listen, all are welcome!
First Night Star
Cherry Creek Radio and the Flagship Program have once again joined the Missoula Cultural Council to produce the First Night Star contest. This marks the 7th year for this entertaining high school singing competition. Admission to this event is one First Night Button ($12 / $15) plus one First Night Star ticket. Tickets are $2 in advance and $3 on December 31st. This event sells out, so be sure to plan ahead! Tickets are only available through the Missoula Cultural Council’s office and website. Call 541-0860 or visit www.missoulacultural.org to purchase tickets and buttons.
Five Valley Chorus of Sweet Adelines and The Rocky Mountainaires
The Five Valley Chorus of Sweet Adelines and the Rocky Mountainaires are singers who love to entertain and to hear the chords ring. Their style of harmony is an original American art form called barbershop harmony – singing four part chords unaccompanied by instruments. These choruses hope to put a smile on the faces of the First Night audience as they sing individually, and as a double quartet in eight-part harmony!
John Floridis
With over a decade of performance in the Western region, John Floridis has performed with artists as diverse as Shawn Colvin, Derek Trucks, Patty Griffin, Richard Thompson, Emmylou Harris, Bruce Cockburn, Kelly Joe Phelps, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Patty Larkin. He is also a producer of Musician's Spotlight and Friday Morning Freeforms for Montana Public Radio and a former Registered Music Therapist. He's released five recordings that mix bluesy, folk-rock vocal tunes with adventurous solo acoustic guitar compositions, and he performs on acoustic/electric guitar, vocals and sometimes uses sampled and looped sounds.
Full Grown Men
Full Grown Men focuses on blues and jazz-based dance music, with the emphasis on rhythm, swing, energy and soul. The band was formed among old friends and fellow musicians, based on the idea of playing straight-ahead dance music with lots of fire and fun.
Gaelic Meadowlarks
Ring in the New Year singing! Gaelic Meadowlark invites revelers of all ages to join them for this celebration. Gather around the piano on the third floor of the University Center for a sing along. They're compiling a songbook called, "Aires, Carols, Jigs, Marches and Reels". If you like Celtic Music, Welsh Choirs or Robert Burns this is for you!
Glenn Govertsen
The “Mr G Science Show” combines the dynamics of music, lasers, raw eggs, fiber optics, toilet paper and other miscellaneous objects. This is a unique opportunity for everyone to be exposed to exciting demonstrations of scientific concepts and captivating phenomena. It’s all about learning that Science Rocks!
Gravely Mtn. Boys
The Gravely Mountain Boys are traditional bluegrass music who convey a high lonesome sound and deliver driving harmonies. Along with the traditional material they arrange songs from other musical genres into a unique sound. From Ralph Stanley to Rod Stewart you are sure to enjoy!
Coty Hogue
Coty Hogue grew up in Philipsburg, Montana and has been called the "Emmylou Harris of a new generation." Singing with banjo and guitar accompaniment she mixes traditional, contemporary and original songs, taking you on an Americana music journey. Her rendition of the traditional song 'Going to the West' charted #1 on the Folk-DJ radio charts this past summer. http://www.cotyhogue.com
John Holbrook, Poets & Writers Live
John Holbrook’s poetry has appeared in many nation-wide as well as regional literary publications and anthologies. He has published four books of poetry: “Clear Water on the Swan,” SkyHouse Publishers, an imprint of Falcon Press, 1991; “Loose Wool, River Tackle, Pencil Drafts,” Pudding House Publications, 2002; “The Dance,” Pudding House Publications, 2007; and “A Clear Blue Sky in Royal Oak,” Foothills Publishing, 2010. John brings a warm heart, a clear ear and dedicated voice to the enriching music and depth of human experience that only poetry can offer. Join with him as he helps celebrate the New Year. Meow!
Jazz Graffiti
Jazz Graffiti is Missoula's multi-generational jazz ensemble, specializing in high-quality listenable jazz of all styles, from classic swing to bebop to contemporary, including original compositions in these various styles. The group includes both veterans of the Missoula music scene as well as promising young musicians.
Jeanette Rankin Peace Center Luminary Peace Sign
Help create a luminary community Peace sign in Caras Park. Bring your votive candle in a paper bag (lunch size) with a small amount of sand to Caras Park, light it from the World Peace Flame, and place it in the circle with your wish for peace. Volunteers from the Jeanette Rankin Peace Center will have extra candles, bags and sand for those who forget materials but want to participate. Weather permitting, the sign will shine a message of peace throughout the night.
Annika Johns 
Did you know that you consume five pounds of insects a year without knowing it? The US is one of very few cultures in the world that does not eat insects intentionally. Learn which insects are edible and why people eat insects. Participants will be lead through a “buffet of bugs” and have the opportunity to try some popular insect foods. Participants will also have the opportunity to hold live Rhinoceros beetles!
Mark Johnson & Sally Cummins
The Nuclear crisis in Iran has attracted the world’s attention. For thirty years the governments of the US and Iran have viewed each other with suspicion and animosity. Mark Johnson and Sally Cummins have had several opportunities to visit Iran and speak with Iranian citizen in many cities and villages. Find out what is happening behind the scenes and what Iranians really think of Americans.
Margaret Johnson
We will be doing a variety of easy, fun exercises and improvisations both vocal & physical, experiencing something creative in small groups just for the fun of it. Whether you are tween, retired or somewhere in between, just bring your enthusiasm and a willingness to laugh—a lot. As we warm up with large group activities, try not to be late—you don’t want to miss a minute!
Mark King Hypnotist and Magician
Mark King began his career in magic as a “Professional Entertainer” in 1980. Since that time, he has become one of the most frequently requested performers in the Northwest. Mark has made numerous appearances at major corporation trade shows, grade, middle and high schools, colleges, universities, fraternities, sororities, churches, country clubs, restaurants and fairs. His unique blend of comedy and magic are appropriate for all ages.
Robert Lee, Poets & Writers Live
Robert Lee, (author Guiding Elliott, Lyons Press 1997) has been a Missoula Writing Collaborative poet in residence for twelve years. His residencies include Arlee, Big Sky High School, Hydaburg Alaska, Ovando, Lowell Elementary, and Salmon Idaho. He is a tutor for the Writing Center at the University of Montana.
Lefty Lucy
Lefty Lucy digs a deep groove down to the roots while reaching to the stratosphere with sublime female harmonies. Lefty Lucy is: Vic Stampley, Kevin Canty, Shaun Gant, Joe Cregg, Rick Waldorf and Beth Cavaliere
Lila Cleminshaw Vocal Studio
Swing tunes from World War II, musical theater selections, popular music, and a touch of harmony -- come enjoy a diverse selection of songs performed by students at Lila Cleminshaw Vocal Studio. These singers, from junior high age to adult, look forward to sharing their vocal styles, techniques and talents with the First Night audience.
Malarkey
Join Malarkey for a high-energy Irish traditional music performance. They promise to have you "jigging and reeling" in your seats with their brand of Montana made music from Ireland. A song or two may even have you singing along as Malarkey celebrates First Night Missoula.
Amy Martin
Amy Martin's projects for the year include writing her first musical, leading the community music programs at Wild Things Music, recording one minute of sound every day, writing a collection of essays, and experimenting with a new arts-funding model called the Patronopolis. She's also been seeking out new musical collaborations, trying new instruments, and stretching herself to sing and play in different genres. Come get a taste of all of this exploration at Amy's 12th consecutive First Night performance.
Kira Means
Kira is a sixteen year old singer/songwriter who plays guitar, piano, and ukulele. She is known for her incredible voice, accessible melodies, poetic lyrics and soulful interpretations. She was the winner of the First Night Star competition two years ago and this will be her third individual First Night performance. She released her first CD, “Hello” in 2010 and has sold over 500 copies in Missoula. At both previous performances she played to a packed house, so she is looking forward to playing the Wilma this year. Come hear Kira’s latest songs, songs from her CD and a few great covers.
Missoula Public Library with Dana McMurray
Dana McMurray, Youth Services Associate at the Missoula Public Library, will do storytelling in the Library’s Large Meeting Room. Dana has recorded and performed stories on KUFM, MCAT, and live at various venues in the region for over 20 years. Most of his stories are original, but this performance will be largely folk stories from a variety of cultures, and will include a very brief overview of the history of storytelling and a participatory element in which audience members will create their own story with Dana’s facilitation.
Missoula Area Square Dancers
Come join the Missoula Area Square Dancers as they invite dancers and non-dancers to join in a live caller led dance session. No experience necessary.
Missoula Brass Consort
What happens… when you take the back row of the Missoula Symphony Orchestra (i.e., the brass and percussion sections) and give them their own space and music on the stage? You get the Missoula Brass Consort! and the sparkling brilliant sounds of a large brass and percussion ensemble. We are a collective of creative, well trained and highly skilled brass and percussion instrumentalists who love to make music together and we seek to offer the western Montana region one the most unique concert experiences to be found anywhere!
Missoula Butterfly House and Insectarium
Ring in the New Year with some of the Butterfly House’s bug ambassadors. Learn about the fascinating world of insects and their relatives through live and pinned displays.
Missoula Follore Society
The Missoula Folklore Society will guide all comers through fun, easy-to-learn group folk dances -- mainly New England contra (a variation of English country dance), circles & squares. Callers teach each dance, & with the help of experienced dancers, guide the beginners through the dance. No partner or experience needed. Sassafras Stomp will accompany the dances with lively old time music & Irish folk tunes on fiddle, guitar, mandolin, & banjo. Dances work well for dancers aged 8 to 80; younger kids will need an adult guide.
Missoula Taekwando
The MTC Demonstration Team, led by Master Steve Rosbarsky, is comprised of martial artist of all ages who practice Taekwondo on a regular basis. The Demonstration will consist of useful self defense, dynamic kicking and Taekwondo based movement and, of course, board and brick breaking
Bill Mize
Bill is a fingerstyle guitarist and composer whose music is heavily influenced by his Tennessee roots: from greasy southern soul to delicate highland melodies. He is a National Fingerstyle Champion, Grammy winner, and his latest album “The Angels Share” was listed as an “Essential Acoustic Album of 2010” by Acoustic Guitar Magazine. Performing with Bill, is Beth Bramhall on accordion.
The Montana A Capella Society
The Montana A Capella Society is a tradition at First Night Missoula. They present a wonderful holiday program in replica 1800's costumes. Website: www.montanaacappella.org
The Montana Alphorn Trio
Enjoy the unique haunting harmonies and melodious calls from these natural, over twelve feet long horns. Dressed in traditional Tyrolean outfits, the trio plays music from Switzerland, where the alphorn is the official national instrument.
Montana Clown Works
Montana Clown Work celebrates 16 years at First Night with the popular Curly’s Funtastic Kid Zone. Kid Zone offers a wide variety of fun-centers that include bubbles, spin-art, and bowling and many more!
Montana PBS Kids Characters
The Friends of MontanPBS are bringing WORDGIRL and CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG to First Night Missoula 2012. Children of all ages are invited to the UC Atrium from 2 to 4 to meet, take photos, and join in the festivities with these two popular PBS Kids heroes.
Sheryl Noethe, Poets & Writers Live
Sheryl Noethe has been teaching in Missoula Schools for seventeen years, after founding the Missoula Writing Collaborative, which places published writers in classrooms to teach kids to love to write like we writers do. She has won a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship in Literature, a Montana Arts Council Fellowship, and was recently appointed Poet Laureate for the state of Montana. She has published three collections of poetry and a teaching text, widely used nationally, called Poetry Everywhere. She has lived in Missoula since 1987 and has read at First Night for eleven years.
The Octopus, Greg Nowak
This is your chance to participate in the great mental sport of chess with a chess champion, along with 25 other players. 14-time Chess Champion,(plus three times in Idaho, and once in Wyoming) The Octopus uses 25 chess sets laid out in a rectangle. Players come and go all evening until 11 pm. He makes his moves in 5 to 15 seconds, more often 5, and players must have a move ready to play IMMEDIATELY when he gets to them, then he replies. The Octopus has been a First Night tradition since the beginning, 17 years ago!
Parson's Pony Farm
The popular Parsons’ ponies will provide handled rides for children under 100 lbs. The friendly ponies are available year round for parties, lessons and trail rides. See all the ponies at www.parsonsponies.com
Patio Andaluz
Experience Patio Andaluz, the spirit of flamenco! In the words of Teo Morca, " Flamenco is understood throughout the world as the essence of all human emotions in music, in rhythm, in song, in dance, in art." From the pure joy of cante chico to the depths of cante jondo, share the aire and gracia of flamenco as we all begin a new year! With Tony Beltramo, Karen Gonzales, Linda Bailey, Jennifer Corbin, Lori Stevens, Karen Kleinklaus, Eileen Cummings, Sonia Chessin, Victoria Lenihan and others.
Pinegrass
P
inegrass has been playing weekly since 1988, their overall sound is a result of the individual influences and passions of each player. The common denominator for all Pinegrass members is to play each number with feeling – they strive to play good tunes, the way they’re “supposed” to be played. It is traditional bluegrass played “true” to the original (mostly), and a bit of swing, Dylan and whatever else strikes the fancy of the band mates at the moment.
Tarn Ream Unity Dance and Drum Class
Tarn Ream will teach an introductory African dance class for people of all ages, accompanied by live drum music. She will teach moves specific to a traditional celebration dance, and show how the rhythms drive the movement. This is an energetic event, and fun family activity for First Night celebrators!
Richie Reinholdt and the Acousticals
The Acousticals feature three of western Montana’s premier bluegrass musicians, they play predominantly original material in the “Acoustic Americana” vein. Come see The Acousticals showcase their fine pickin’ and duet singing at First Night 2012.
RIO
RIO specializes in contemporary renditions of Brazilian Bossa Nova. We're a quartet with Julia Yates on Portuguese and English vocals and percussion; Dennis Unsworth on drums, Pete Hand on stand-up bass, and Tim Drackert on guitars. Visit their website to hear some of their songs: www.riobossanova.com. Website riobossanova.com
Rocky Mountain Ballet Theatre
RMBT offers unique training and performing experience to all young people of Montana through dance, music and art. RMBT creates programs that reach rural and urban communities in Montana, the US and internationally with its Montana experience. RMBT took its Montana program throughout Austria the summer of 2011 with Tanzsommer Dance.
Salsa Loca
Salsa Loca is Missoula's premier Latin-music dance band. The group has performed for numerous venues and events in the area, including both Out To Lunch and Downtown Tonight, as well as at the Missoula Children's Theater and the University of Montana. Website http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/salsaloca
Sentinel High School Jazz Band
The Sentinel High School Jazz Band is a big band, specializing in the performance of classic, standard tunes from the 40’s for your dancing and listening pleasure. Come and enjoy an afternoon of great tunes played wonderfully by a group of very talented and sharing student musicians. We will all have a great time!
Sidhe
Voice and guitar duo Michael and Keleren Millham have taken their classical training and applied it to the music that moves them. The resulting sound is an enchanting blend of classical, fingerstyle, folk and world genres. They build upon and blend these traditions in exciting new ways, creating performances that are both energetic and soothing—and always uplifting.
Sonnets on the Sidewalk
Stop by and read one of Shakespeare’s sonnets aloud to your family, friends and passers-by, or just stop and listen. This is some of the most beautiful love poetry ever written. Over the course of three hours all 154 sonnets will be read.
spectrUM
Best in Show is a collection of spectrUM’s most popular and dynamic exhibits. These exhibits are designed to foster in young people an interest in, awareness of, and excitement about science. Visitors will learn about angular momentum on the Giant Turntable. They will participate in a simulated surgery, swab a giant nose and create and view their own microscope slide. They will explore the physics of flight with Bernouli Blower, take part in guided activities, and more, all while they laugh, learn, and explore.
Hal Sterns
Montana has stories galore – cows and cowboys, Indian tribes inhabiting the mountains and plains for centuries, politicos good and bad, writers and poets, railroad builders and mining magnets, individuals famous and infamous- all have contributed to making the “Last Best Place” our special homeland.
Super Skippers
Come see what Flamingos, Snakes, and Frogs have to do with jump rope. Our club jumpers and Tournament team will twirl and whirl their ropes and then invite the audience to join them.
Tangled Tones
Take a trip through time on the waves of music. Beginning with West-African Drumming, then traveling to America on the notes of Folk Music, Blues, Jazz, Bluegrass, Country right on through to good old Rock 'n Roll! Be prepared for a diverse and energetic show! Groups have been formed from local Missoulians of all ages to perform songs on guitar, piano, banjo, voice, bass and more. Directed by Matthew Nord, director of Tangled Tones & Ryan Maynes, owner of Club Shmed Studios. This will be an on going program for years to come that is open to all who are interested, visit the website to get involved – we are all musical, we all have something to share, our souls dance whether our bodies know it or not!!!
David E. Thomas
David E. Thomas reads poems from the streets and surrounding countryside of Missoula as he has done on many previous occasions for First Night.
Travelers Rest and Preservation
Family visitors will have a chance to make their own archaeological discovery and help solve a history mystery! A mystery question (or multiple questions) will be posted, with a place to gather historic evidence. Visitors to our station will have the opportunity to sift/dig through dirt stations looking for pieces of evidence (plastic puzzle pieces). Once a piece of evidence is found they will have to add it to other pieces of evidence to solve the mystery.
Turning the Wheel
Turning the Wheel presents "Dancing Our Way Home," an interactive storytelling extravaganza. Encounter fantastical characters, help create a story about what we want for the coming year, and then dance it awake—all to live music! All ages welcome. Since 2001, Turning the Wheel Missoula has been enlivening schools, community events, and organizations through play and original performances. Our purpose is to create an environment for people of all ages and abilities to express themselves and connect more deeply with each other.
Unity Dance And Drum 
Unity Dance and Drum performs high-energy traditional African music and dance—from the stomping, clapping, and slapping gumboot dances of South Africa, to the sweet sounds of Zimbabwean mbira (thumb piano) and song, to the athletic, drum-driven dances of West Africa. We bring you an exciting cultural experience complete with bright costumes, masks, and tantalizing musical arrangements. Get ready to dance in the new year! On Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Unity-Dance-Drum/21401602905
James Wallace
Tonight James Wallace plays popular works from the 20th century classical guitar repertoire, including simple but beautiful preludes by Carlo Domeniconi (which he likes to teach his students) and his favorite pieces by Villa-Lobos and Carlevaro
Youth Fencing
What better way to say goodbye to 2011 than some good swashbuckling. All participants will receive a short fencing lesson and an opportunity to try their new skills in a 3 point bout with electric scoring equipment. Bring a partner or come alone and plan to spend about 30 minutes at our booth. All ages are welcome! For more information about our organization visit us at www.missoulayouthfencing.com.
Zeppo, MT
Zeppo, MT is an 8 piece Old School Rockin\' Rhythm and Blues band with 3 horns keyboards, vocals, guitar, bass and drums for weddings, parties and concerts. - Timeless music for all ages.