11th Annual New Year’s Eve Fete Full of Activities
A star-studded lineup of live entertainment has been assembled for the 11th annual New Year’s Eve party on the streets of downtown Falls Church Dec. 31.
As always, the free, family-oriented event is being organized entirely by local volunteers, with help from businesses located in and around the block of W. Broad between Washington and Maple Streets, which will be closed off to traffic from 6 p.m. on.
Organizers announced this week that one of the most popular musical groups ever to appear at the annual event will be back again for the first time in three years. Appearing on the main entertainment stage in the middle of the block will be Nu Era, a Washington, D.C.-based group of five young brothers performing in the style of the Temptations, Jackson Five and New Edition, known for their “profound vocals, well-crafted choreography and dazzling showmanship.”
Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation organizers and City residents Nikki and Ed Henderson lined up Nu Age and other top-drawer entertainers for the celebration, including the legendary Charlie Sayers and the Pluckerland Band, offering a unique, diverse repertoire of American roots music. He features soulful and fiery blues harmonica and vocals.
Tango Reo, featuring an extraordinary violinist, Falls Church’s own Kristin Snyder and songstress Claudia, includes tango dancers who will not only perform, but offer lessons on the side.
Marcus and Makinra, hip-hop and hand dancers, will also perform swing and will provide lessons.
Other features of the even include the dropping at midnight of the historic lighted star that once beamed from the top of the (no longer existent) Falls Church water tower during the holiday season, and a midway of games and amusements and free popcorn for the young in the parking lot connecting W. Broad with Park Avenue. There will be a 66-foot inflated dragon serving as the event’s centerpiece in the center of the W. Broad block.
On all sides, and within easy walking distance, will be restaurants open to serve and provide special menus up to midnight, including Ireland’s Four Provinces and the Dogwood Tavern, with their own live music, and Argia’s, Pilin, Hunan Café, Pho 88, Maneki Neko, Natalia’s, Applebee’s and Clare and Don’s Beach Shack.
An 18-piece big band orchestra, Northern Lights with singer Margie Johnson, will swing in the narthex of the Falls Church Anglican. The Up In The Air band will be performing at the Falls Church Presbyterian, featuring performances by the Thomas Jefferson High School Madrigals.
Creative Cauldron, Falls Church’s own non-profit arts organization, will premiere its movies, “Invasion from Planet Trashulon,” and “2057: A Corn Mush Odyssey,” made by children participants of its summer camp, with help from professionals. A scavenger hunt for the kids is being co-sponsored by the Family Medicine of Falls Church and the Falls Church Foot and Ankle Center.
A Victorian-era photography studio hosted by the Victorian Society of Falls Church will be held in the Atlantic Realty space. Victorian clothing is provided in all sizes for children and adults to wear for old-time photo portraits, with prints available for a small charge while you wait.
Non-stop entertainer Cowboy Haye will perform in the Weight Watcher’s space, playing a wide variety of old-timer instruments. His character reenacts an 1850’s Gold Rush miner, with music and stories from that era.
Disc jockey Bill Breedlove will be spinning danceable music at the Unity Club and Clay Café Studios will be open for free studio time and discounts on pottery.
The regionally-renowned State Theatre, located a half-block from the center of the action, is already sold out for its New Year’s Eve show featuring the Legwarmers.
The event’s principal organizer, City resident Barbara Cram, said, “Given the times and the wonderful community we live in, all of us are fortunate to be able to share and celebrate Falls Church and those many civic groups, businesses, churches, city employees and volunteers who have made it so special.”
