Our very own First Night Talbot is the only remaining First Night event in Maryland! Now celebrating our 29th consecutive year, we continue to adhere to that original goal – to create a family-friendly, alcohol- and drug-free Celebration of the Arts as a New Tradition to benefit our community and its children in the heart of downtown Easton.
We’re always proud to include local youth performances, showcasing students as they progress in their specialized arts training. Two such long-time participating groups return this year: Mid Shore Dance Academy and Mike Elzey’s Guitar Studio. Both are featuring many experienced young performers.
Sea Creature Parade
New for kids this year in the Waterfowl building: Phillips Wharf Environmental Center has activities to teach youth about our precious Chesapeake Bay, and Crickett is a juggler, a balloon artist, a clown, and a Pirate.
Another priority is to partner with other arts organizations to present quality performers. We’ve benefitted for many years from the recommendations by Carpe Diem Arts. Two performers at Academy Art Museum are good examples: Munit Mesfin (from Ethiopia) and her young family and Gabrielle Zwi on the ukulele! (Ukes are very popular around here due to a Carpe Diem Arts program, “Ukes on the Move”).
9pm – “Midnight in the Mid-Atlantic” Maryland Crab Drop with our bagpiper, Parade of Sea Creatures, and Fire juggling. Catch it live and in-person on Harrison Street in front of the Waterfowl Building (40 S Harrison Street).
An important partnership is with the Town of Easton, and this year, Easton Economic Development Corp. will sponsor the second half of the evening by presenting three performances at the Avalon from 9:30-11:45pm. The first is a singer well known to many in the region, Karen Somerville – appearing this time with her quintet. The final hour will feature two talented ensembles, also brought to us by Carpe Diem Arts: Nordensong and Svalbard Rangers will treat us to “A Scandinavian Celebration”.
Then at 11:45pm – Join the Traditional Countdown to Midnight with our Maryland Crab Drop, to give a hearty Welcome to 2023.
Randy Welch will lead the fish-themed parade leading up the Crab Drop – Credit Ted Mueller Photography
Admission into every venue is included in the purchase of our decorative crab buttons. Purchase your buttons on December 31 at the “Smokehouse” (beside Town Hall, 14 S. Harrison St.), starting at 4pm; then purchase at venues (Academy Art Museum, Avalon Theatre, and Waterfowl Building): $10 – Adult, $5 – 6 yr, thru college, 5 yr and younger are free. The printed program comes with the buttons.
Find the full 2023 program online now with schedule, event map, and performer information on our website at www.FirstNightTalbot.net. You will find digital versions of our program to reference or download at your convenience.
Support for First Night Talbot is provided by Talbot Arts with funds from the Maryland State Arts Council. Visit us at www.FirstNightTalbot.net and follow us on Facebook @FirstNightTalbot to learn more. If you would like to volunteer for the event, please contact Carolyn: C) 410-822-5732
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