First Night Preview: Family Festival

Synchronized traditional style and original songs on Japanese drums performed with audience participation.

Young singers perform a variety of songs that reflect on the past and embrace the future.

An inspiring troupe of modern dancers with disabilities create human sculpture and prove that we can all move in ways that are joyful and expressive.

A combination of hand-painted found footage and altered portrait slides frame a tower of televisions displaying static and moving narratives.

Chinese folk sport group performs and demonstrates the Chinese Yo Yo and teaches the audience new tricks in this hands-on workshop.

High-energy dance performance rooted in traditional Appalachian-style clogging with a modern flair.

A kaleidoscope of traditional Chinese folk dance including the Red Lantern, Little Lion, Little Red Ribbon, Kite, and Chinese Ribbon Dances performed by dancers ages 7-18.

A downtown farm scene featuring a colorful array of giant cows, chicken and sheep.

Using AT&T technology, have your photo taken with this good luck sculpture.

Quiet, calm and melodious music provides respite from the chaos of our fast-paced, modern world. stevebernalmusic.com

Austin Bella Corda, a group of young musicians, perform classical guitar pieces directed by Kevin Taylor. These talented guitarists have trained in the Childbloom methodology which will be implemented as part of the school’s artistic training program opening fall 2007.

Create an original, festive hat using an H-E-B bag and fanciful attachments to adorn you throughout the celebration.

A combination of hand-painted found footage and altered portrait slides frame a tower of televisions displaying static and moving narratives.

Create your own artwork using interactive robotic technology provided by Spansion as well as rockin’ music, bright lights, joysticks, and speed control.

Produced by Johnny Walker, this origami workshop teaches the art of origami. Origami stars created in the workshop will later glow with candlelight on the terraces of Auditorium Shores as part of Johnny Walker’s Water Project sponsored by LCRA.

Choose yarn of different colors and textures, attach a personal dream, and weave it through the trees in unpredictable patterns. The result will be 2007 dreams woven together in a giant web that glows at night.

Decorate an original spirit kite specifically designed for First Night Austin to flutter in the grand procession.

World-class jazz frames a message of health from a perspective yet to be explored. Innovative jazz compositions of baritone saxophone master Hamiet Bluiett are paried with the revealing spoken-word and movement styling of Chandra Washington for a powerful, entertaining vision. Featuring Austin’s own Michael Steven’s/bass and Brannen Temple/drums.

A canopy of bells marks the passage of time and creates a contemplative passage way to celebrate the possibilities and promises of a New Year.

A project about the preciousness of water -- its beauty and necessity. The pavilion pond at Auditorium Shores will be transformed by water and light combined to form a spectacle that displays the energy and splendor of water. You can also help in the creation of a display that will spread across the lawn of Auditorium Shores. Take a clear cup, fill it with water from Town Lake and float a lit candle inside of a small origami box. Place the cup wherever you wish on the terraces of Auditorium Shores. Three thousand luminaries will spread across the lawn. Each luminary represents a dollar contribution toward the building of a well in a community that needs access to safe drinking water.

Dr. Praetorius travels in a gypsy wagon with a troupe of carnival performers he has created in his alchemical laboratory. The centerpiece of the show is “The Wheel of Destiny” which gives each spinner a prediction for the New Year.

A rolling ice cream truck puppet theater with muppets that play music, dance and handout balloons and popsicles. Matthew Rodriguez, artistic director.

One thousand one hundred fifty-two images installed within the construction walkway across from the Austin Children’s Museum in the walkway at 2nd St. and Guadalupe. The words and images are from children, soldiers, friends, family, presidents, businessmen, customers, advertisements, essays, prayers, students, and more. Individually and collectively, these messages of gratitude reveal our cultural habits and humanity.