First Night a festive alternative

The alcohol-free community celebration First Night Flathead continues with a diversity of acts to suit all tastes, offered in venues throughout downtown Kalispell.

First Night began in Boston in 1976 as the finale to the city's celebration of the nation's bicentennial. Today, more than 200 communities throughout North American and around the world have First Night celebrations. The Flathead Valley celebrated its inaugural First Night celebration in 1999.

The evening begins at 4 p.m. and wraps up at 1 a.m. A First Night button will give holders admission to all performances. Purchase a button for $7 per person during the event or $5 in advance. Children 6 and younger are free.

Button outlets for advanced purchase are at Books West, The Museum at Central School Museum, Western Outdoors, Kalispell Center Mall, near J.C. Penney (Dec. 29 and 30 only) in Kalispell; Artistic Touch, Montana Coffee Traders (U.S. 93 location only) in Whitefish; Bad Rock Books in Columbia Falls; and Electric Avenue Books in Bigfork.

Purchase buttons during the event in Kalispell at Big Sky Martial Arts, Linderman School, Central School Museum, Central Christian Church, Masonic Temple, Western Outdoor Store/Norm's News and Avalanche Creek.

A sample of First Night acts includes:

Steve Eckels: Eckels is the guitar instructor at Flathead High School. He has recorded a number of CDs, including a new compilation of holiday songs for Mel Bay publications. Guitar Books as well as classical masterpieces from his new CD and "Sparks From The Seven Worlds," a collection of classical guitar masterpieces including the works of J.S. Bach, Fernando Sor, Francisco Tarrega,Issac Albeniz, and other. He is a participant in Christopher Parkening's classical guitar master class at the University of Montana at Bozeman. There will also be about 15 students from Eckels' guitar classes will play and sing original, popular music on acoustic guitars.

LeftOver Biscuits: This five-piece band utilizes the traditional single mic performance, playing both traditional bluegrass and "gassed-up" popular tunes. This foot-stomping group, with three lead singers and tight harmonies, features Chad Fadely playing madolin and bouzouki, Doyle Wells playing bass and singing harmony and a few lead vocals, Jim Sticka on guitar and Paul Sebesta, on fiddle, plays anything from Bach to bluegrass. Rudy Urban, founding member of "Biscuits" is banjo picker.

Blue Onion: This Kalispell group explores blues, funk, jazz and rock.

Gene Gordner: Gordner's rich baritone voice brings the Old West to life. He offers soulful renditions of classic Western music in the spirit of Gene Autry and the Sons of the Pioneers.

The Maw Brothers: Wyatt and Jesse Maw play along with their father, Steve. Twelve-year-old Jesse is the 2004 Junior Champion at the National Old Time Fiddle Contest. He has played fiddle for six years, Wyatt, 17, has played fiddle for 10 years, and placed second for the second year in a row for the National Junior Division. They study under Jimmy Don Bates from Austin, Texas.

Joe Zambrano: This local talent, has been performing his songs of the NW and cowboy poetry for last 12 years. First as soloist known at "Singing Joe", then with Left Over Biscuits Bluegrass band and now with the acoustic trio. Two talented musicians complete this trio, Jim McBride, bass player and Barney Stucker, guitarist and vocalist. They always try to give listeners a little something to take with them. Sometimes it's a thread of hope and so

Jack Gladstone: Gladstone has released 11 critically acclaimed, independently produced CDs and his most recent release, "Tappin' the Earth's Backbone" was placed on the entry list for the 2004 Grammy awards. Gladstone is currently touring with Rob Quist in their new production, "Odyssey West." Quist and two of his children, Guthrie and Halladay, are also performing during First Night.

The Montanaires: Northwest Montana's premier chamber choir offers a 25-voice ensemble blending skillful harmonies with an engaging audience rapport, directed by Glacier Chorale head Shawn Garner. The choir will present a lively musical adaption of "The Winds in the Willows."

Paul Gonsorchik: This guitarist has studied through workshops and master classes with Andre Segovia and Eddie Van Halen. He released his own instrumental band fusion CD and has been featured in local and national publications.

Irish Minstrels: This group presents a blend of voices and talents on ballads and songs of the Emerald Isle. The group features Diane Cowan, dulcimer/guitar; George Cowan, mandolin, harmonica; Dale McGarvey tamborine; Margie Henderson, vocals/irish drum; Allan McGarvey, guitar/Irish whistle; and Valerie McGarvey, vocals/fiddle and guitars.

A full schedule of First Night activities will be included as an insert in the Dec. 28 edition of the Daily Inter Lake.

For more information, call 881-4088.