Music, dancing part of First Night festivities

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January 3, 2011

By Denise Richardson Staff Writer The Daily Star Mon Jan 03, 2011, 02:30 AM EST

ONEONTA _ Revelers and performers in downtown Oneonta greeted 2011 with music, dancing and more during Friday's Imagine! Oneonta, the local First Night celebration.

The event made a comeback after a three-year hiatus, and discussions for 2011's festivities have already begun. Friday's parade, performance venues and activities attracted at least a few thousand people, event chairman Mark Drnek said Sunday.

Button revenues still are being counted, but the projection is that the $35,000 event will break even, he said, and bills for entertainers and other expenses will be paid.

Drnek said attendance at downtown venues ranged from good to standing-room-only. Children 12 and younger were admitted free to activities, which resulted in a high attendance by families, he said, and generally feedback has been positive.

"I heard a lot of really great comments," Drnek said. "I was very, very, very pleased _ you couldn't begin to ask for more."

Drnek and a First Night Steering Committee arranged for about 45 performing groups, presenters and activities to fill a schedule that started with children's entertainment at 2:30 p.m. and included a 5 p.m. parade. Salsa, klezmer, popular and old-time music were styles featured on the smorgasbord of entertainment options.

The festival night concluded with fireworks, more entertainment at the ShowMobile parked on Main Street across from Muller Plaza and a toast to the new year, Drnek said. Fireworks, which lasted about 15 minutes, were short but impressive, he said, and viewers watched from the top level of the parking garage.

Observers on the deck at the Autumn Cafe shared reactions to the colorful pyrotechnics with "oohs" and "ahs."

"That was good," someone in the crowd said at the concluding burst. "That was just right."

The cold weather of last week broke in time for First Night activities, and parade master of ceremonies Chuck D'Imperio noted it was 52 degrees downtown at about 5:30 p.m. Friday.

At several venues, visitors said they were happy First Night had been reorganized, because it provided an enjoyable alternative to New Year's Eve activities.

Carolyn June of Delhi said parade highlights included the larger-than-life-sized puppets, the Indonesian dancers and the three helium-balloon baskets that shot off display flames. She also complimented the spirit generated.

"It was a nice, friendly atmosphere," June said.

June and her friends, Susan Rochmis of Delhi and William Stenz of Bovina Center, said they have attended previous First Night celebrations in Oneonta.

"We're just happy to have it back," Stenz said.

Harry and Mary Bristol of Worcester have been taking dancing lessons and went to St. James' Hall on Elm Street to put their feet into action to music performed by the Stan Fox Swing and Klezmer Band. About five couples moved across the floor in St. James' Hall as clarinetist Robin Seletsky ran high notes to top off music by Fox and other band members.

"It was klezmer, but you could swing to it," Mary Bristol said. Her husband said the First Night event reflected a good level of community.

"Community is a very strong adversary to chaos," he said. "If you don't have community, you have anarchy."

Michael McKenna and Susie Webster, a couple from Oneonta, praised the level of musicianship presented, including Dana LaCroix and Soren Moller at the Unitarian Universalist Society and Walt Michael at the First Presbyterian Hall. The $15 cost of an admission button can't be beat, they said, and First Night was a welcome option.

"It's very well done," Webster said. "It's great."

The First Night Steering Committee received key support from volunteers and community organizations, Drnek said, and the group hopes for continued and greater involvement as plans develop for the next New Year's Eve event. The Dady Brothers, who have performed previously at Oneonta's First Night, have agreed to perform, which is one of many reasons to look forward to Dec. 31, Drnek said.      