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Information

ADAM G. GERTSACOV, FESTIVAL DIRECTOR
(5:00 PM, Opening Ceremonies, Bank of America Skating Center)
Adam Gertsacov is the most educated clown in America (barring certain elected officials.) He wears many hats, including those of a professional clown, an author and publisher, a P.T. Barnum impersonator, a flea circus impresario,and the esteemed hat of the Clown Laureate of Greenbelt, Maryland. Adam is the Festival Director for Bright Night Providence.
WEBSITE

INTERNATIONAL STAR ILLUSIONIST BRAD ROSS
(RI CONVENTION CENTER @ 6, 8, & 10 pm)
Our featured act this year is 2010 Merlin Award winner BRAD ROSS. Brad has appeared on every major US television network, and on over 500 television programs around the world. He just finished six consecutive years starring in Disney LIVE! presents Mickey's Magic Show, the biggest touring family illusion show in the world. He estimates that he’s performed for literally millions of people in his lifetime. And in 2010 he was awarded the prestigious Merlin award by the International Magician’s Society. Previous recipients include Sigfried and Roy, David Copperfield, and Criss Angell. And - Brad is only in his late 20’s! His show is a blend of comedy, magic, audience participation, and boyish charm that has something for everyone and will leave you with a sense of wonderment and awe.

YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS THIS!
WEBSITE

BRIGHT NIGHT'S GOT TALENT WINNERS
(BETWEEN 2-5 PM, BRIGHT NIGHT FAMILY FUN FAIR, RI CONV. CENTER)
Each of these talented youths/groups won the right to perform during our first Bright Night's Got Talent Challenge. They'll be appearing on the Bright Night Family Fun Fair stage at the RI Convention Center, opening for more established acts, between 2 and 5 pm on December 31. Come cheer them on as they make their first step on the road to star-dom!

SEE THE PRESS RELEASE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND SOME VIDEO OF EACH PERFORMER.


ADONIS DA DON
Adonis is a young rap sensation that hails from Providence. He's been performing at parties and at concerts for the last two years, and is hoping to put out his own album in the next year.

ALISON HORNUNG
Ali is 11 years old and in the 6th grade. She enjoys singing, acting and dancing. Ali is a member of her school chorus and has performed in numerous plays and talent shows in school and local theaters, including the Missoula Children's Theater and Stadium Theater. Some of her roles include playing the Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland and the young Sleeping Beauty in Sleeping Beauty.

AMY THE MIME
(2-4PM,STROLLING)
Amybeth Parravano aka Amy The Mime hails from Rhode Island. She brings fun & levity into her shows! Her fresh eclectic blend of conventional & nonconventional pantomine includes some props, twisting balloons, ukelele, ect....mimicing in a satirical way the environment & natures beauty around us! Amy also plays music, and does a killer Elvis impersonation. Visit her website to find out more.

WEBSITE

AS220 CRISS CROSS ORCHESTRA
(9-11PM, FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH)
The AS220 Criss Cross Orchestra (also known as ACCO) is directed by Obuamah Laud Addy, an award winning West African Ghanaian musician and composer. He is joined by many of the finest New England musicians and ensemble performers.
Criss Cross music is currently performed in Europe and Africa; it is defined as a crossing or combination of powerful traditional native African, American, Caribbean, Cuban, Latin American and European musical styles, and includes some of the tonality, improvisations, and other musical dynamics found in Jazz, and Rhythm & Blues.
WEBSITE

BANISHED FOOLS
(4PM- 11:30 PM, STROLLING)
The Banished Fools have been performing on New Year's Eve in Providence since 1985. Amazing antics, crazy costumes, and some of the best parade and party music you ever heard. They'll be travelling around the city, brightening up your night.

BIG NAZO
(5:30 PM & 7 PM, URI PAFF AUDITORIUM)
BIG NAZO is an international performance group of visual artists, puppet performers, and masked musicians who unite to create bizarre and hilarious larger-than-life sized characters, environments, and spectacles.
WEBSITE

BILL HARLEY
(7 PM, FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH)
Genuine, irreverent, universal, ridiculous and original, Bill Harley is a two-time Grammy® award-winning artist who uses song and story to paint a vibrant and hilarious picture of growing up, schooling and family life. A longtime commentator for NPR’s news program “All Things Considered” and recipient of the lifetime achievement award from RI Council for the Humanities “for his use of music, song, and story in building community; promoting our common humanity; and encouraging lifelong learning, exploring and growing”, Bill tours nationwide as an author, performing artist and keynote speaker.
WEBSITE

WS MONROE 
(6 PM, BENEFICENT CHURCH SANCTUARY)
W.S. Monroe began playing and singing folk music more than 40 years ago in his native Pennsylvania, but performed only occasionally for two decades. Since 2007 he has resumed performing more seriously. He plays a variety of music, from a few original songs to a large repertoire of traditional songs from the British Isles and America, with a few classic folk and country standards thrown in for good measure. He often sings without any accompaniment, but most often plays guitar, mandolin, mountain dulcimer, or English concertina. Bill also plays as part of a duo with Matteo Casini.
WEBSITE

BLACK & WHITE
( 9 PM, BENEFICENT ROUNDTOP CENTER)
Rhode Island's premiere roots rock & roll, swing-blues band BLACK & WHITE are making their 5th consecutive appearance at Bright Night Providence. This year, the rhythm section of founding members Don DiMuccio (drums) and Kevin Martin (bass) will be joined by Beaver Brown's own Gary Gramolini. As The Phoenix's Bob Gulla once proclaimed, "Their name is around the state so much that they've become part of the fabric of Rhode Island's pop culture."
WEBSITE

BRIGHT NIGHT POETRY SLAM
(9 PM, AS220)
Providence Poetry Slam Presents: The Encyclopedia Show! The Encyclopedia Show welcomes poets, musicians, and artists together to create creative encyclopedic entries on an assigned topic. Filled with humor, reverence, and lot of lovingkindness, the writers at Bright Night--including multiple National Poetry Slam finalists--will all be creating on the topic of "THE FUTURE" with their subtopics including time machines, The Jetsons, weather forecasters, the singularity, horoscopes, the future job market, and first contact. Encyclopedia Show regulars--including the Fact Checker from the Institute of Human Knowledge and Hygiene--will be in attendance, bringing this world-wide celebrated show to Bright Night. www.encyclopediashowprovidence.com

WEBSITE

BRUCE KALVER'S MAGIC SHOW
(3 PM, MATHEWSON CHURCH)
Bruce Kalver has been a professional magician for close to 40 years. Bruce learned magic from his grandfather, Samuel Woolf (who helped keep Houdini’s equipment running). Bruce is a full time magician, magic inventor, theatre producer/director, and popular radio talk show host. His company, Top Hat Productions manufactures unusual and entertaining magic effects and props for working magicians and balloon artists. He is the author of many books and DVD’s on magic, balloon art and the entertainment business. More importantly, Bruce continues to entertain, astound, and amaze audiences of all ages using simple household items. He will amaze you too!

WEBSITE

BURR HARRISON)
(PERISHABLE THEATRE, 3 PM)
Burr Harrison serves up a story smorgasbord including absurd science fiction, Greek myths, the news from the Ocean State, and even some true stories. This animated storyteller and local actor uses both sides of the brain and believes that storytelling can be meaningful, fun, and thought provoking for kids and adults.

BYOI (BRING YOUR OWN IMPROV)
(2-5 PM, MC'S, FAMILY FUN FAIR, RI CONVENTION CENTER)
(9 PM, URI PAFF AUDITORIUM)
Bring Your Own Improv (BYOI) is an interactive improv show that welcomes voluntary audience participation. You can participate in one of three ways: Applaud at a scene you like, yell out fantastic suggestions, or if you feel you're ready, jump up and get involved with them on stage! Their show is Family Friendly comedy for all ages! Come and play! See more at www.BringYourOwnImprov.com

CAROLYN DUTRA DANCE STUDIO (2 PM, RI CONVENTION CENTER)
The Carolyn Dutra Dancers, ages 5-18, perform upbeat, diverse shows throughout the United States and Europe thanks to Dance For Art Inc, a 501c3 non-profit organization that provides performance opportunities for young dancers and promotes community service through dance. Throughout the year, we fundraise to allow the dancers opportunities to perform in different venues, such as the Dunkin Donuts Center, Epcot Center, Magic Kingdom, and Carnegie Hall. We are thrilled to be a part of Bright Night 2012!
WEBSITE

CAROLYN MARTINO
(1 PM AND 4 PM, PERISHABLE THEATRE)
Called one of Rhode Island's most influential artists by the Providence Phoenix, storyteller Carolyn Martino happily tells her tales and presents storytelling workshops for all ages at schools, libraries, festivals, and special events throughout New England. Her fun, lively, and interactive repertoire consists of world folktales, literary and original stories, humorous tales of wit and wisdom, and songs and jokes. All of her work is designed to help children use their imaginations.

CHRIS CARBONE
(2 PM AND 7 PM, MATHEWSON STREET CHURCH)
Chris Carbone is a professional magician and entertainer, specializing in sleight of hand and close-up magic. He also performs curriculum-based shows for schools.
WEBSITE

CLARE VADEBONCOEUR/ THE SNOW QUEEN
(ROVING 4-6PM: OPENING CEREMONIES, 5 PM) The Snow Queen will be roving throughout downtown Providence, granting wishes, and bringing a sparkle to you and your loved one's New Year. Please join us at 5 pm as she grants the City of Providence a magical wish.
WEBSITE

CREATIVE CHICA
(12-5 PM, RI Convention Center Family Fun Fair)
Creative Chica will be providing free face-painting to Bright Night attendees from 12-5 pm.
WEBSITE

DEADLANDS
(7 PM, BENEFICENT ROUNDTOP CENTER)
Deadlands is a local blues/rock n roll band with a dynamic front man. Most of their songs have a funky feel that the audience can dance to. They play mostly originals with a few covers mixed in.
WEBSITE

DAVEY THE CLOWN
(2-4 PM, BRIGHT NIGHT FAMILY FUN FAIR, RI CONV. CENTER)
(5 PM, MATHEWSON CHURCH)
Stellar, but silly, juggling, amazing magic, incredible unicycling (on a 6-foot unicycle!) wacky antics, balloon sculpture, audience participation, and a rubber chicken! Plus accordion music, and a parade with volunteers from the audience! 50 minutes of entertainment that will keep kids (and adults) convulsed - with laughter!
WEBSITE

DELIGHT CONSORT
(3 PM, ROOTS CAFE)

The Delight Consort, founded in 1992, was named for the flagship of an expedition founded by Sir Humphrey Gilbert in 1583 to search for a northwest passage through North America to China (via the St. Laurence River!). He brought along with him from England a fabulous assortment of" Landlubberly musicians" with which to entertain the natives along the way,and beguile them into giving up their riches. Unfortunately, the musicians also beguiled the captain into failing to reef the sails when a violent storm blew up, and it was reported from the companion ships that "like the swan that singeth before her death, they continued in sounding the trumpets with drums and fifes. Also winding the cornetts and hautboys, and in the end their jollity left with the ringing of doleful knells" as the Delight rammed onto the rocks, August 29th, 1583.
The Delight Consort sings and plays music of the 14th through the 18th centuries on recorders, cornetts, sackbutt, cello, viola, harpsichord, organ and harp.
WEBSITE

ERB- EXTRAORDINARY RENDITION BAND
(9:30 PM- 12 Midnight, STROLLING)
(12:30 AM: AS220 CAFE)
The Extraordinary Rendition Band (ERB) is a Providence-based street band of reeds, brass and percussion. They are a democratic organization that plays a wide vairiety of music (from Klezmer to Michael Jackson) that uplifts everybody within earshot. They will be popping up all throughout downtown during Bright Night, bringing silly antics, divine raiments, and spontaneous moments of raucous musical joy.
WEBSITE

FIGURE SKATING SPECTACULAR
(4:15 PM, B. of A. Skating Center)

"The world is a stage, the stage is a world of entertainment." A popular Broadway musical, a lively comedy, a jazzy dance production, a theatrical adaptation of a classic film. All share the thrill and excitement of performance and this year's Skating Spectacular is a tribute to these art forms. Join us as we present "That's Entertainment", a 30-minute performance on ice that will capture the best of Hollywood, Broadway and Film.

FISHEL MICHAEL BRESLER
(9 PM, PERISHABLE THEATRE)
40 years of Hoo-Hah! Original music & solo arrangements from an eclectic cross section: klezmer to blue grass.
WEBSITE

GREG ABATE
(4-5:30pm, Beneficent Church)
Greg is widely considered among jazz writers and aficionados to be one of the "best post bebop alto players" performing today. He tours nationally and internationally, and has been featured on many CD's and recordings.
WEBSITE

IMPROV JONES
(10 PM, URI Paff Auditorium)
Improvisational comedy by New England's premier improv comedy troupe. Using rules, games, random comments from the audience, an occasional audience member, and a healthy dose of sheer bravado, Improv Jones makes it up as they go along (and that's a good thing!) You'll never see the same show twice!
WEBSITE

INCA SON
(9 & 10 PM, Grace Church)
" Their sweet, airy traditional Peruvian melodies can move a listener to tears... And in person, replete with brightly colored costumes, Inca Son is a sight to behold." - Bob Young, Boston Herald
Inca Son - literally "sound of the Inca" - is an acclaimed group, now in its 20th year, which hails from the Peruvian Andes. The group's sound is distinguished by the haunting pan flute and lively charango (Andean guitar), and while many listeners might hum along to its version of "El Condor Pasa," the group has also created original outstanding compositions such as "Trip through the Andes Mountains" winner of the 2007 Independent Music Award for Best World Song. Inca Son has taken its distinctive sound around the world and delighted audiences on some of this country's most prestigious stages: Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center; and Symphony Hall, Boston, with the Pops, to name just a few. In addition to the Boston Music Award, Inca Son is the recipient of the 2008 Los Angeles Music Award for Best Traditional World Artist; and the 2009 Gold Star Award, Mass Cultural Council, for Excellence in Artist Residencies.
WEBSITE

KEITH MUNSLOW
(3 PM, BRIGHT NIGHT FAMILY FUN FAIR, RI CONV. CENTER)
A veteran performer with more than fifteen years experience, Keith Munslow has entertained thousands of children at shows and festivals throughout New England - and beyond. He has performed with Bill Harley, Big Nazo, and numerous bands in Providence. He is also a composer for the Perishable Theatre.
WEBSITE

THE KOLOUR KULT
(11 PM, AS220 CAFE)
Born of a shared love of 1980's era Synth-Pop, The Kolour Kult is an open ended experiment in electronic dance music. Formed with the idea of creating "electro-croon", combining driving beats and airy synth melodies with earnest "suburban soul" vocals, Jack Prime and Martin van Etten look to fashion a sound that is new but remembered, fresh but familiar whilst inciting fever on the dance floor.
WEBSITE

LAUGHLETICS
(11 PM, URI PAFF AUDITORIUM)
Laughletics is a competitive improv comedy show that plays like a sports match complete with a referee. Teams compete in improvised games in order to win laughs and applause from the audience. The teams will play both games that they choose and games that they are challenged to. Let the comedy begin!
WEBSITE

LEN CABRAL
(6 PM, ROOTS CAFE)
Len Cabral is a internationally acclaimed storyteller who has been enchanting audiences with his storytelling performances at schools, libraries, museums and festivals since 1976. A great grandson of a Cape Verdean whaler whose grandparents immigrated to America from the islands off the coast of West Africa. Len's strong Cape Verdean ancestry comes alive in his exuberant retelling of African, Cape Verdean, and Caribbean folktales as well as original stories and tales from around the world. Len is also one of the chief artistic forces behind The Roots Cafe.

WEBSITE

L'ESPERANCE MANDOLIN ENSEMBLE
(8 PM, Beneficent Sanctuary)
L'Esperance is a band of musicians of different backgrounds and ages who come together to enjoy the pleasure of making music with each other. Since 1994, l'Esperance has been sharing that joy with audiences around New England. The L'Esperance Mandolin Ensemble will present a lively program of world music arranged for mandolin ensemble. The program will feature music from Brazil, France, England, China, and Germany.
WEBSITE

LON CEREL
(2-3pm, BRIGHT NIGHT FAMILY FUN FAIR, RI CONV. CENTER)
(4 PM Mathewson St. Church Hall, 4 pm)
Lon Cerel is a keen combination of performer, comedian, and magician-- having been voted 3 times "RI's best family entertainment." He has been working audiences with skill, wit, and a love of his craft for more than 25 years. A Lon Cerel performance percolates with energy, punctuated by unexpected bursts of contagious laughter.
WEBSITE

MARK BINDER
(6 PM, FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH)
Award-winning author Mark Binder will be sharing stories to make you laugh, shiver and jump! A founding performer with Bright Night, Mark Binder tours the United States making audiences smile, laugh and scream (with joy... and a bit of fear). His latest book is "It Ate My Sister" and his latest CD (Due out in 2010) is a collection of spooky and scary stories. Mark performs at schools, libraries, festivals, theaters, religious institutions and community centers.

WEBSITE

MARK CARTER 
(11 PM, PERISHABLE THEATRE)
Mark Carter has been involved in theatrics since the Fourth Grade. He has been in a number of local shows, earning him the sobriquet of the "Hardest Working Man In Rhode Island Show Business." Mark's work is part music, part comedy, and all original.

MARVIN NOVOGRODSKI
(12-3 PM, BRIGHT NIGHT FAMILY FUN FAIR, RI CONV. CENTER)
A performer for 25 years, Marvelous Marvin will be teaching a circus arts workshop. Students can learn to juggle, to spin plates, and even to walk on stilts. Audience interaction in a fun and comfortable setting.
WEBSITE

MATT THE KNIFE
(7:30 PM & 8:30 PM, AS220)
Matt The Knife is the outrageous mentalist & magician that's known for his trademark brand of wit that blends intense charisma with wickedly humorous improvisation and unique performance art. He's thrilled audiences in 15 countries across 4 continents and has been led on to shatter more Guinness World Records than any other magician ever - an astonishing TWELVE! He's earned numerous industry awards and has been featured on more than 50 national and international media outlets including: Discovery Channel, The Wall Street Journal, NBC, New York Post, ESPN Magazine, History Channel, Sirius Satellite Radio , Ripley's Believe It or Not! , CNN, Cartoon Network's Adult Swim, National Geographic, CCTV (China), Rai Tre (Italy) and The BBC (UK) . He was even an answer on America's favorite game show Jeopardy.
WEBSITE

RAVI SHAVI
(11:45 PM, AS220 CAFE)
From the ashes of The Gambees, RAVI SHAVI summons soul, rock, pop and punk. Expect to shake and clap!

RI CHILDREN'S CHORUS
(6 PM, GRACE CHURCH)
The RI Children's Chorus, an award-winning group of 70 singers aged 8-16 represents 22 cities and towns in RI and MA. The children look forward to this Bright Night performance and their beautiful voices will delight audiences of all ages as they offer a selection of seasonal holiday favorites. The group has recently appeared with the RI Philharmonic, the Providence Singers and the Boston University Chorus at Marsh Chapel. The RI Children's Chorus is under the direction of its founding conductor, Christine Noel,MM.
WEBSITE

RORY RAVEN
( 7 PM & 8 PM, AS220)
In Rory Raven's performances, theater, psychology, and parapsychology all come together to involve the audience in a highly unusual -- and unusually entertaining! -- experience. Thoughts are read, predictions come true, and perhaps even the spirits are summoned...
WEBSITE

SAM HILL TRIO
(7 PM, BENEFICENT CHURCH SANCTUARY)
Steve Jobe will be joined by two of his friends for a rich and colorful set of English and French traditional melodies. The line-up: Julie Metcalf on violin, Jobe on viola and Rob Bethel on cello. For Bright Night, the band has chosen, from a large repertoire, the arrangements that rock the hardest. And there will be a new original piece by Jobe to mark the New Year. Come all ye!
WEBSITE

SPEED OF THOUGHT PLAYERS
(6 PM, MATHEWSON STREET CHURCH)
Your Speed Of Thought Players have been performing for crowds of all ages all around New England and New York over the past 6 years and are ready to help you ring in the New Year with the best improv comedy anywhere ever! Your SOTP make it bigger, louder, faster and funnier than you've ever had it by combining your wildest ideas with our own twisted brains and shameless personalities.
WEBSITE

TRINITY REP'S IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE
(Trinity Rep Downstairs Theatre @ 5 pm)
It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play is an adaptation of the heartwarming film classic set as a period radio play, being broadcast on Christmas Eve, 1949. Your Bright Night wristband gets you $10 off regular priced Adult admission* (*does not include bench seating, cannot be combined with any other discounts.) Valid in person at the box office with BN bracelet. Bright Night discounted tickets can be purchased at the Trinity Rep box office, 201 Washington St. For more information, please call the box office at (401) 351-4242 or visit http://www.trinityrep.com.

WOMENRISING
(7 PM, GRACE CHURCH)
WomenRIsing is a Providence-based a cappella ensemble comprised of a diverse group of women spanning several generations. WR is directed by Dr. Nancy Rosenberg, a Rhode Island composer, musical director, vocalist, and educator. The chorus repertoire includes songs of the Civil Rights movement, spirituals, folk and contemporary selections, as well as original arrangements and compositions. They use the strength and spirit of music to inspire, educate and empower women and the larger community.
WEBSITE

WORLD PARTY 2011 MASQUERADE BALL
(9PM-3AM, RI Convention Center Ballroom)
21+ ONLY EVENT- STRICT DRESS CODE (BLACK & WHITE SEMI-FORMAL ATTIRE).
Features live music by Santa Mamba, passed hors d'oeuvres, 6 different bar stations, a complimentary champagne toast at midnight, a Masquarade Ball Fashion show featuring I Wink Clothing, 3 DJ's and much, much more! The event is hosted by Buddy Cianci and television personality Claudia Jordan, and Patriot players Troy Brown and Patrick Pass will also make an appearance. Masks are optional, and will be provided at the event. Proceeds partially support the Gloria Gemma Foundation, a non-profit whose mission is to raise breast cancer awareness, increase breast health education, and generate funding for critical breast health programs.
Tickets are normally $60 per person. Show your Bright Night wristband on the night of the event, and get in for only $50. That's a $10 discount per person! A strict dress code will be enforced. Suits for men, cocktail dresses for ladies. For tickets and more information go to http://www.worldpartyent.com.