Tisbury's Two-Day New Year's Affair Aided by Donation

By ALEXIS TONTI

No one regards the first of January with indifference, and this year
Tisbury is inviting the Island community to welcome 2004 with two days
of celebration highlighted by a fireworks display over Vineyard Haven
harbor New Year's Eve.

The Last Night, First Day festival, now in its third year, has
always run on the contributions of the Island community, but this year
an unexpected $10,000 donation from Ernie Boch Jr. and his family has
gone a long way toward funding the event.

"When we called to see if he might be interested in helping
out, he asked how much the fireworks were," said Jeff Pratt,
coordinator of the Tisbury Ambulance Association and point man for Last
Night, First Day. "We told him, and he said, ‘Done.'
Our jaws dropped."

The entire celebration costs about $16,000.

"Mr. Boch's contribution is incredibly magnanimous. It
will certainly help ensure next year's performance," said
Mr. Pratt. "But we receive a lot of donations, and all of them,
large and small, are appreciated. People get hit up all year by all
sorts of causes, and their coming through for us means a lot."

About 30 events are planned for next Wednesday and Thursday, and
admission to all is the cost of one button: $12, and $5 for students and
seniors.

Last year organizers counted $4,000 in button revenue - and
estimated about 2,000 people came into Tisbury over the two-day event.
Any revenue received beyond the cost of the event goes in the kitty for
next year.

"We didn't end last year with as much money in the bank
as we had hoped, but even without the seed money we're confident
we'll more than meet expenses this year," said Mr. Pratt.
"It'll all come down to those button sales."

The ambulance association took over responsibility for planning the
festivities two years ago with the goal of raising awareness about the
need for volunteer EMTs. "We wanted to promote an alcohol-free and
safe family event, and to correlate that with the ambulance
association," Mr. Pratt said.

He added that the Martha's Vineyard Chamber of Commerce and
the Tisbury Business Association, the original sponsors, still provide
support.

The fireworks show kicks off at 9 p.m. on New Year's Eve. As
always: "We're looking to do even better than last
year," said Mr. Pratt. They have hired CW Pyrotechnics, the same
company that puts on Oak Bluffs' August spectacular.

Other highlights on Dec. 31 include the music program, which this
year has been expanded to include Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish, who will
perform at the Katharine Cornell Theatre. Also on Wednesday are two
favorites from last year: The J.C. and Danny Wright Jazz Duo will appear
at the Hebrew Center and the Flying Elbows at the Vineyard Playhouse.

Following the fireworks at 9:30 will be a rock concert co-sponsored
by JAM (Just About Music), known on the Island for hosting the teen
Battle of the Bands at the Hot Tin Roof. Bands on the schedule include
Olive, Outerland Funk Trio and John Barleycorn and the Social Drinkers.

Mr. Pratt also pointed to WIMP and IMP, the Island's
improvisational comedy troupe and their teen off-shoot, as big draws.

Mr. Pratt said IMP was standing room only last year, "and
it's going to be even bigger this year. Anyone who wants a seat
should get there early."

IMP starts the New Year's Eve show at the Katharine Cornell
Theatre at 7 p.m. and WIMP takes the stage at 8.

Also new this year are two showings at the Capawock Theatre of The
Wizard of Oz, at 1 and 7 p.m.

On New Year's Day the activities continue, with several events
aimed at younger kids, including a crazy hat parade (anyone without a
crazy hat can stop by the Tisbury police and ambulance facility at noon
to make one).

Buttons are on sale at Alley's General Store in West Tisbury;
the Bunch of Grapes bookstore, Island Entertainment and the chamber of
commerce in Vineyard Haven; Mocha Motts in Oak Bluffs, and Edgartown
Books. (Kids under 10 get in for free when accompanied by a button
holder.) Buttons are good for admission into all Last Night, First Day
activities.

For more information visit www.mvy.com or call 508-693-0085.
Following is a list of highlights for Last Night, First Day.

Festivities Set in Vineyard Haven Will Welcome the New Year 2004

Last Night, First Day festivities include family-oriented events
which are available with the purchase of a button. Unless otherwise
noted, all events take place in Vineyard Haven.

Tuesday, Dec. 30:

Ice Skating at MV Ice Arena on the Vineyard Haven-Edgartown Road in
Oak Bluffs is held from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Admission is $2 with a Last
Night, First Day button.

Wednesday, Dec. 31:

Opera sing-along with Charles Blank is held from 2 to 4 p.m. at the
Tisbury Senior Center. Start off the evening before dark with a tour of
the Die Fledermaus operetta with a former concertmistress.

Trains and Tree Tour at Fourway Carriage House, 95 Franklin street,
is held from 3 to 9 p.m. The historic house has a lighted, 24-foot tree
and electric trains encircling it for kids to enjoy.

The Wizard of Oz plays at the The Capawock Theatre at 4 p.m.
(special children's showing) and 7 p.m. Dress as your favorite
character and come see this all-time classic in the Island's first
big screen showing.

Free Mini-Golf game at Island Cove Mini Golf on State Road from 4 to
7 p.m.

Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish play at the Katharine Cornell Theatre on
Spring street from 5:45 to 7 p.m.

J.C. and Danny Wright Jazz Duo play from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at The
Hebrew Center on Centre street.

The Flying Elbows, a bluegrass band, play at the Vineyard Playhouse
from 6 to 7 p.m.

Vineyard Belly Dance and Review is held at the
Unitarian-Universalist Society on Main street from 6 to 7 p.m. in a
performance formerly known as The Eastern Melodies.

IMP, a teenage improvisational comedy group, performs at the
Katharine Cornell Theatre from 7 to 8 p.m.

Corinne de Langevant and Bruce MacNelly perform classic folk rock
and original songs at the Vineyard Playhouse from 7 to 8 p.m.

Mark Lovewell, a Vineyard folk singer specializing in songs and
stories of the sea, performs from 7 to 8 p.m. at the
Unitarian-Universalist Society. Mr. Lovewell has written the
fishermen's column for the Vineyard Gazette for 16 years.

A Family Outing from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Vineyard Assembly of God on
State Road features magician The Great Benafuchi from 7 to 9 p.m.
followed by a prayer and music service from 9 to 11 p.m.

Maynard Silva plays the blues at The Hebrew Center from 7:30 to 9
p.m.

WIMP, the Island's comedy troupe in the style of "Whose
Line is it Anyway?" performs at the Katharine Cornell Theatre at 8
p.m.

Nancy Jephcote, a singer-songwriter, performs with her fiddle at The
Unitarian-Universalist Society from 8 to 9 p.m.

Paul Thurlow performs at the Vineyard Playhouse from 8 to 9 p.m.

Fireworks display: Come down to the harbor for a grand 9 p.m. show.

JAM Concert, an all ages rock concert at the Katharine Cornell
Theatre, is held from 9:30 to 11:30 p.m. Olive, Outerland Funk Trio and
John Barleycorn and the Social Drinkers perform.

Thursday, Jan. 1:

The Great Benafuchi gives an extravaganza of circus antics, clowning
and acrobatic feats at The Hebrew Center from 11 a.m. to noon.

CoCo the Clown, accompanied by Bruce MacNelly, performs classic
songs at the Unitarian Universalist Society from 11 a.m. to noon.

Horse and Carriage Rides are offered from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. between
the Tisbury Marketplace off Beach Road and Bowl and Board on Main
street.

Trains and Tree at Fourway Carriage House is offered from noon to 4
p.m. See details in 12/31 listing.

Star Light, Star Bright, a song, a wish and short ride on a
parachute, is offered at the the Hebrew Center from noon to 1 p.m.
Movement and music are combined in this special ceremony for child and
adult participation. Have a special New Year's wish in mind.

Mark Lovewell performs a kids' program of folksongs at the
Unitarian Universalist Society from noon to 1 p.m.

Hat Making at the Tisbury Police and Ambulance facility, at the rear
of the Stop and Shop parking Lot, is held from noon to 1 p.m.

Crazy Hat and Bright Lights Parade with Coco the Clown and Cammy the
Camel begins at 1 p.m. at the Tisbury police and ambulance facility.
Create a hat by recycling holiday ribbons and wrapping paper, or join
the program above. The parade will begin at the Tisbury police and
ambulance facility and make its way to the Steamship Authority parking
lot, where prizes will be given out.