Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

The First Night Bradford Committee is excited to announce that on Friday, January 16th, the final reinstatement paperwork was sent out for the 501(c)3 and should be returned within 90 days. This process could not have been completed without the assistance of Jim Smith and Sherry Deeter of Smith, Best, and Stoneking CPA. We appreciate the time and effort that went into this progression and look forward to reinstatement of our 501(c)3 tax exempt status. Jim Tingley, newly appointed Chairman of the First Night Bradford Committee, has recently taken over and under his direction and approval of the committee, several modifications have been made to the structure of the organization. Functional Teams have been established to focus on the several different categories of the New Years’ Cultural and Arts Festival. Team categories include Finance, Entertainment, Advertising and Public Relations, Technology, Venues and Vendors, Public Works and City, and the Finale Team. These teams will f...

First Night Bradford has been cancelled for this year. The organization’s status as a non-profit is in on hold because paperwork wasn’t filed correctly in the past, so they can’t get the corporate donations that are necessary to pay for entertainers and other costs. This year, the committee raised about $6,800. They were hoping for $20,000. The committee is in the process of reorganizing for next year. This is the second time since 1998 the event has had to be cancelled. The City of Bradford does not run First Night, although the city did help with certain aspects of the event. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Schedule: 12-12:15 Introduction by MC Jay Coder 12:15 - 1 Lyndsey Niegowski & Sarah Potter 1:15 - 2:15 Blindside 2:30 - 3:15 Ade Adu 3:30 - 4:30 Hector Demon 4:45 - 5:45 Marshmellow Overcoat 6:00 - 7:00 2014 Grammy Nominee Mike Brown Food: There will be $10 Chicken BBQ prepared by The Cow Palace (Includes Drink) >BR? Bottled Water & Canned Soda will be available for $1.00 Hugs will be available for 50 cents Children's Entertainment: A Bounce House provided and staffed by the YMCA will be on the grounds from 1pm-5pm. There will be a face painting booth with other children's activities available for an additional affordable fee. Entrance Ticket Prices: Adults (13 and Up) - $5.00 Couples (Adults Only) - $8.00 Children 5-12 - $3.00 Under 5 – FREE! The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Sorry I didn't get these up sooner but my brain is still in vacation mode. (Nine days off has its disadvantages when you come back to work.) This is the WESB/100.1 The Hero Rockin' Block Party at First Night Bradford hosted by Scott Douglas. (Yes, that's him with the "big hair" and sunglasses.) The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Josh Hatcher Media and First Night's Got Talent would like to present the Top Ten. > Justin Conklin > Miranda Sickler > AlexieAnn Riley > Cheyann Dow > Christin Dubots > Colleen Krise > Kyle Higley > Kylie Ray Schuman > Todd Mealy > Brandon Baney These acts will go on to compete on New Year's Eve for the First Night's Got Talent Competition to be held at the First United Methodist Church at 6 p.m. Ballots for voting are included with a First Night Admission button and will be collected at the ballot box at the First Night's Got Talent Event. The winner will be announced and perform at 11 p.m. on the Main Street Stage to kick off the Midnight Finale, and will win $100 cash, a venue for First Night Bradford 2013, and a Professionally Designed Press Kit from Josh Hatcher Media, valued at over $500. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

This year's talent competition for First Night's Got Talent will be changing directions this year-- and will feature social media as it's main venue. With voting scheduled to start in ten days, organizers are extending the invitation for regional talent to submit their videos for the competition this week! "We're really hoping to change things up this year, and do things in a new and innovative way," says Josh Hatcher, "We are hoping to get all kinds of talent to audition. We don't want just singers, but we want people who can do all kinds of things to give it a shot." For the first round of competition, contestants can submit a youtube video through the First Night's Got Talent website: www.firstnighttalent.com , or they can attend one of the taping sessions to have their audition recorded and uploaded for them. Recording sessions will be held: Bradford Library – Community Room Thursday November 3rd 11AM-1PM Open Arms Community Church – Audi...

This is just a small part of the crowd that rang in the New Year in Veterans Square. Scott Douglas shared the mic with these young ladies who sang in the New Year.

First Night's Got Talent winner Sabrina Hershey of Coudersport & Nashville recording artist Bob Teesdale Teesdale announces the winner's name as finalist Colleen Krise applauds. Finalist Kylie Hushon performs on the main stage shortly before the midnight finale.

Better late than never -- here are some First Night pictures: These skaters practice their skills at the Callahan Park Ice Rink ... while these people start rolling in the new year at Byllye Lanes. The ever-popular First Night Art Show included pieces by Rick Minard, Nancy Crissman, Dee Smith, Rocky Holland, Jesse Nuzzo, Wade Aiken, Cassie Brandow, Nancy Pascarella and more.

First Night Bradford revelers can start the New Year right by participating in a number of First Night Firsts. There are a variety of sites around the Bradford area that feature family-oriented activities. An adult must accompany youths. Admission is free with a First Night button, which are currently on sale. The day starts on Friday, Dec. 31 with a First Movie at the Main Street Movie House. Toy Story 3 will be shown starting at 10 a.m. Take the plunge into the New Year with a First Night Swim from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Bradford Family YMCA. For those looking to be bowled over, there’s a First Night Bowl from 2 to 5 p.m. at Byllye Lanes on Seaward Avenue. There is an extra charge for bowling shoes; the limit is one game. Lace on your ice skates at Callahan Ice Rink from 2 to 5 p.m. for the First Night Skate. There is an extra charge for skate rentals. If art is more your style, we have you covered there, too. The talents of local artists will be highlighted for the First Night Art Show ...

Zumba, local talent, a bounce carnival and, of course, fireworks at midnight are all on tap for First Night Bradford. Activities for First Night Bradford, which promotes an alcohol-free safe environment to usher in the New Year, include something for everyone. While these activities throughout the day and evening on Friday, Dec. 31, will take place throughout the city, the place to be starting at 11:15 p.m. is Veterans Square. At that time the winners of the First Night’s Got Talent competition will be announced. Then, under the leadership of WESB/WBRR’s Scott Douglas, there will be a countdown to midnight with a fireworks finale by Young Explosives. People can see the talent in the First Night’s Got Talent competition first hand from 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church. Singers, dance groups and jugglers are all welcome to still try out for the competition. The final night of auditions will be at 6 p.m. today at the First United Methodist Church. Bob Teesdale, a s...

There’s no better way to celebrate the holidays than a first-class ticket to the New Year. Buttons for First Night Bradford are now on sale. This button is a pass to get into any of the venues. This includes local entertainment as well as Bob Teesdale, a singer from Nashville, Fieldstone and Moscow Nights. There are also the First Night Firsts at the Callahan Park Ice Skating Rink and Byllye Lanes, to name just a few. The buttons are available at the Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce, Tops Supermarket, The Grocery Stretcher and Tina’s Hallmark. They can also be purchased at any entertainment site the night of the event. The buttons are $5 if purchased by Dec. 30. They are $6 if purchased on Dec. 31. An information card will accompany the buttons with a list of all the venues and acts. There’s also time to get in on the act. The First Night Bradford committee is holding auditions for the First Night’s Got Talent competition. The last audition session will be held Monday, Dec. 20, at th...

If you have talent, there’s still time to show it. The First Night Bradford committee is holding auditions for the First Night’s Got Talent competition. The auditions will be held Monday, Dec. 13, and Monday, Dec. 20, at the First United Methodist Church on Chambers Street. The auditions will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. each night. Time is limited for each audition and the entire act must be present for the audition. Those interested are asked to keep in mind that acts must be family-oriented and need to be available the week of the show for any practice that is called as well as on Dec. 31 from 5 p.m. until midnight. There will be no exceptions. Acts can bring a CD to accompany them at the auditions; no accompanist will be available for the auditions. Performers must be 13 years of age or older. Those performers who have had venues in past First Nights and were paid are not eligible to participate. The committee is encouraging all performers to participate – singers, dancers, comedians a...

This just in: The very talented Scott Douglas will be hosting this year's First Night's Got Talent competition. Calling all local talent. Start the New Year right with a chance to win a local talent competition. The First Night Bradford committee is holding auditions for the First Night’s Got Talent competition. The auditions will be held Monday, Dec. 13, and Monday, Dec. 20, at the First United Methodist Church on Chambers Street. The auditions will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. each night. Time is limited for each audition and the entire act must be present for the audition. Those interested are asked to keep in mind that acts must be family-oriented and need to be available the week of the show for any practice that is called as well as on Dec. 31 from 5 p.m. until midnight. There will be no exceptions. Acts can bring a CD to accompany them at the auditions; no accompanist will be available for the auditions. Performers must be 13 years of age or older. Those performers who have ...

Scott Douglas was the master of ceremonies for First Night's Got Talent as well as the festivities in Veterans Square. ( Thanks to Jim Jones for brighening up this photo for me! ) The fireworks finale by Young Explosives wowed the crowd. Congratulations -- and thank you! -- to Larry, Kim & the entire committee for a great day and night!

More than 600 people turned out at the First United Methodist Church to see that First Night's Got Talent. Sixteen acts performed and the winner was – Marissa Buchheit. Second place went to Devin Dewyer of Smethport. Ariel Campbell took third place. The winners are pictured below, receiving their trophies (provided by 100.1 The HERO) from Nashville recording artist Robert Allen. Ariel Campbell Devin Dewyer Marissa Buchheit

This photo, taken during the fireworks display that started at midnight, should give you an idea of how bright the fireworks were.

First Night Bradford event buttons will be available for purchase beginning Friday, December 18th. The First Night Bradford event, which is in its 12th year, will again host favorite ‘First’ activities such as the first movie, first trail hike, first bowling, first swim and first ice skating, along with an art show, musical entertainment, Brad’s Bounce-a-lot, First Night’s Got Talent and a country music performance by Nashville recording artist Robert Allen. Button sale locations include: Top’s Friendly Markets, The Grocery Stretcher, Parkview Supermarket, the Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce and Tina’s Hallmark. For a complete schedule of events visit www.firstnightbradford.com

First Night Bradford will host a First Night’s Got Talent contest during its New Year’s Eve festivities on Thursday, December 31st. Auditions to qualify for the final event to be held on New Year’s Eve will be held on Monday, December 7 and Wednesday, December 9 from 6-9 p.m. at the Friendship Table, on W. Corydon Street in Bradford. First Night’s Got Talent is open to any entertainment act. Participants are asked to bring their own accompaniment music to the audition. A CD player will be provided. Finalists will perform during First Night Bradford before a panel of judges, which will include country singer and Nashville recording artist Robert Allen who will also perform at First Night Bradford, and WESB/WBRR's Anne Holliday. WESB/WBRR's Scott Douglas will be the master of ceremonies for the finals. For more information contact Kim Hallock at 366-2524 or visit the website at www.firstnightbradford.com