Release #454-00

 

Contact:

Sunny Mindel /Lynn Rasic (212) 788-2958

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MAYOR GIULIANI ANNOUNCES FIRST NIGHT 2001 NEW YEAR'S CELEBRATIONS

Safe and Affordable Entertainment for All Ages to Take Place in All Five Boroughs

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today announced plans for First Night® New York City 2001 New Year's celebrations to take place throughout all five boroughs for all New Yorkers, as well as for visitors and tourists. Organized by NYC 2000, the Mayor's Office for the Millennium, First Night offers events citywide as part of a low cost, non-alcoholic winter festival on New Year's Eve.

Joining the Mayor for the announcement were First Night Chairman Lou Carbonetti, NYC 2000 Executive Director Marcia Lee, Parks Commissioner Henry Stern, First Deputy Police Commissioner Joseph Dunne, the artist Peter Max, former New York Ranger Rod Gilbert, and Jillian Parry, Miss Teen USA® 2000. The announcement also featured a sample of some First Night entertainment, including a stilt walker, a face painter and a juggler.

"New York City is the Capital of the World for New Year's Eve celebrations," Mayor Giuliani said. "The many First Night events that are planned throughout all five boroughs are guaranteed to provide a memorable New Year's Eve for families and people of all ages. From live music to fireworks, dancing to arts and crafts, First Night celebrations will offer a fun, safe and affordable way to ring in the New Year."

First Night events will take place in various venues within each of the five boroughs, giving patrons an opportunity to enjoy New Year's Eve celebrations in a safe environment that is close to home. Tickets are priced at $10 for adults and $5 for children. NYC 2000 is coordinating festivities that include dance lessons, jazz performances, face painting, jugglers, puppeteers and storytelling, as well as food and refreshments. Shuttle-bus service will be provided in each borough for transfer between venues.

The First Night buttons, designed by Peter Max, allow event access and can be purchased through Ticketmaster, by telephone at (212) 307-7171, online through ticketmaster.com, and at the Wiz Stores, HMV Records, Tower Records, the City Store (lobby of 100 Center Street), and the Times Square Visitor's Center on Broadway between 46th and 47th Streets. First Night is sponsored by Best Buy, Continental Airlines, Citysearch, Verizon, Infinity Outdoor, The Daily News, Time Warner Cable, Lowes Theaters, Nickelodeon, Keyspan, MetLife, Forest City Ratner, Richmond County Savings Foundation, Queens Council on the Arts, SISB Community Foundation and Z100.

The following is a list of venues hosting First Night events in each borough:

Brooklyn

• Brooklyn Botanic Garden
  
• Brooklyn Children's Museum
  
• Brooklyn Museum of Art
  
• Brooklyn Public Library
  
• Prospect Park: Lefferts Homestead
  
• Prospect Park: Kate Wollman Rink
  
• Prospect Park Zoo
  
• Grand Army Plaza New Year's Eve Party

Manhattan

• American Museum of Natural History
  
• Central Park Zoo
  
• Museum of Jewish Heritage - A Living Memorial to the Holocaust
  
• The Museum of the City of New York
  
• The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  
• The Studio Museum in Harlem
  
• The MetLife Building
  
• Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum
  
• Wollman Rink
  
• Saint Bartholomew's Church
  
• Second Church of Christ, Scientist

Queens

• Flushing Meadows - Corona Park
  
• World's Fair Ice Skating Rink
  
• New York Hall of Science
  
• Queens Theatre in the Park
  
• Queens Museum of Art
  
• Countdown Celebration and Fireworks at the Unisphere

Staten Island

• Snug Harbor Cultural Center

The Bronx

• Bronx Museum of Arts
  
• The Bronx Zoo
  
• The New York Botanical Garden
  
• Wave Hill
  
• Crotona Park

For more information on First Night New York City 2001, call the First Night Hotline at 212-676-2000 or visit the NYC 2000 website at www.nycmillennium.org.

www.nyc.gov