HEADLINERS: Vocal Trash

Texas-based Vocal Trash has been performing for audiences for over a decade from New York to Seattle, Las Vegas to Puerto Rico. Whether it be Madison Square Garden or The Venetian-Las Vegas, Vocal Trash continues to electrify young and old with their tight a cappella harmonies, industrial style drumming, and award winning break-dancing. Vocal Trash has been recycling for over a decade and incorporating upcycling and recycling into every show way before “green” was cool. Part street performers, part recycling gurus, these seven members make reuse fun for kids of all ages.

So what does recycling have to do with a high energy variety show? Well, it starts with seven dedicated members who sing, drum, dance, and play various instruments. Though extensively trained in the performing arts, these entertainers are becoming more and more sought after based on their propensity for coloring outside the lines. Playing car parts, trash cans, lids, water bottles, barrels, pots, pans, buckets and brooms has established this “green team” a niche in a highly competitive market. Even their “regular” instruments are one of a kind originals constructed from recycled materials – guitar = gas can; up-right bass = milk urn; PVC pipe = “Xylo-drums”.

The group is back by popular-demand after a two-year hiatus from the event. Make sure you catch their two shows in the CBC gym and get there early! The facility will be packed!

The Gothard Sisters

The Gothard Sisters have been playing violin and dancing since a very young age, and they grew up performing on stages in the Pacific Northwest. They started out with rigorous classical violin training and competetive Irish Dance, leading them to leadership positions in the local Youth Symphonies and bringing them to the Irish Dancing World Championships (held overseas in the UK) to compete in the solo championships for three years in a row.

The three sisters (Greta, 24; Willow, 22 and Solana, 16) have also developed their talents on various other instruments including guitar, bodhran and voice in the pursuit of creating a fuller, more compelling show. Their love for music, dance and storytelling is their inspiration for performing and recording.

The girls make their way across the country each year visiting fairs and festivals to share their love of music, dance and live performance with the people that they meet.

A live show with the Gothard Sisters is likely to include fast fiddling numbers with lively choreography, Irish step-dancing used in a myriad of ways, and special songs and ballads. Be sure to catch them for two shows in the CBC gym!

Jerry Harris, Master Hypnotist

Jerry returns for his sixth performance at FNTC. Jerry is one of the most talented and sought-after hypnotists in the country. His dynamic personality combined with his mesmerizing voice will quickly and easily induce an altered state of consciousness. Jerry's many years of professional training and experience will overcome any fears and misconceptions about hypnosis. Once explaining the process to his volunteers and the audience, Jerry drops all who are willing into a deep sleep. Jerry is a Washington state naitive.

Skweez the Weezle, A celtic group

The celtic music performed by Skweez the Weezle has been a crowd favorite at First Night for over a decade. The band's musical mix includes traditional, modern and original tunes and sonds from Highland and Lowland Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Cape Breton and the USA. The band has performed as a quartet, trio and duo throughout Washington, Oregon and Idaho at festivals, Highland Games, concerts, coffeehouses, wineries and more. Skweez is based in the Tri-Cities (where sagebrush is king)!

From the Director

Welcome to First Night Tri-Cities!

Whether this is your first time coming to our event, or you have been to each of the 15 annual celebrations, we sincerely hope you will enjoy yourself and the performances we have assembled for you.

In our quest to continue to give the Mid-Columbia the best available national, regional and local performers on New Year's Eve, we are proud to announce the return of Vocal Trash to our New Year's lineup! Vocal Trash was wildly popular during their last performance here in 2008 and they are back by popular demand from our sponsors and loyal supporters. We received many requests to have the group return and we've listened!

Vocal Trash is known for playing old-time favorites and modern pop tunes with the group's very special twist: The background accompaniment is done with trash cans and lids, water bottles, push brooms, 55-gallon drums and miscellaneous car parts. The group takes time to throw in a touch of comedy throughout the act and also touts its "Think before you throw it away" recycling message to the crowd. New this year will also be the Vocal Trash break dancers which add a "wow" factor to the show and make it more appealing to the young crowd.

But there is more! Representing the west-side of the state, The Gothard Sisters will return for a fifth time with their Irish-themed show and Jerry Harris returns with his wildly popular hypnosis show. We also feature our always-expanding KidZone with activities for kids 2-12; an expanded food court; the return of teen activities - including a teen dance - and our regular local performers including Bram Brata, Keith Ramsay, Big Top the Clown, Frank Eng and many others!

I encourage you to come see what our event is the largest New Year's Eve celebration in the Mid-Columbia!

PARKER HODGE
Director, Entertainment & Production