For Immediate Release: February 11, 2012

Contact Information:
Howard McGinn, Executive Director, First Night Worcester(508) 799-4909
Robert Kennedy, Executive Director, Mechanics Hall (508) 752-5608

WORCESTER_ First Night Worcester is delighted to partner with Mechanics Hall in Worcester to offer the public a profound and inspirational show, Young@Heart: This is Getting Old. Set to perform at Mechanics Hall in Worcester on Sunday, March 17, 2013, at 3 p.m., this charismatic group brings their gift of music, and zest for life to each and every audience.

Heralding from Northampton, MA, this lively singing group of senior citizens, ranging in ages from 73 to 90 years old, began informally in 1982.  Each member’s experience varies considerably, from those with prior professional theater or music experience, some who have performed extensively on the amateur level, to those who have never been on stage until turning 80. None of the current performers were part of the original group; however, they have continued to keep the spirit of the original members alive. The group has traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe, receiving international acclaim. They were the subject of an award-winning Walker George BBC documentary, Young@Heart (2008), which won two UK awards and the LA Film Festival Audience Award. The movie was shown in Sundance in 2007 and was released to North American cinemas in 2007. Today, the group is celebrating its 30^th birthday, and is debuting its new live show, its new album, and is having a 28-page full-color commemorative tour book published that details the group’s concert adventures since 2007.

The group is funded through a variety of matching gifts, corporate sponsors, foundation support, government support, and in-kind donations.

Tickets are currently on sale at the Mechanics Hall Box office and include:

• Premium Seating – $100 which includes a “High Tea” Reception following the performance
• Preferred Seating – $50
• Good Seating -  $30
• Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more

Don’t miss your opportunity to see and hear this incredible group, which has previously performed to sold-out crowds at Mechanics Hall in October 2009 and May 2011.

To purchase or for more information call 508-752-0888 or visit www.mechanicshall.org. (Please note: the last day to order tickets online)

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Contact:
Alexander Caswell
Regan Communications
(617) 488-2885

Worcester, MA, January 7, 2013 – Commerce Bank today announced its sponsorship of a concert by the Young@Heart Chorus™ at Mechanics Hall in Worcester on March 17 to benefit both Mechanics Hall and First Night Worcester.  The Bank also made a donation to First Night Worcester in support of its 31^st annual New Year’s Eve celebrations on December 31.

“Commerce Bank is pleased to help Mechanics Hall and First Night Worcester carry out their mission of providing opportunities for people of all ages in our community to enjoy and participate in the arts,” said Commerce Bank President and CEO Brian W. Thompson.

“We’re delighted to have received a donation from Commerce Bank, which will be used for both First Night Worcester directly and also to help fund the Young@Heart Chorus concert at Mechanics Hall,” said First Night Worcester’s Executive Director Howard McGinn. “Their generous gift is putting us closer to our goal of making the arts and culture accessible for all.”

Ranging in age from 73 to 90, the Young@Heart Chorus was founded in 1982 when a group of senior citizens from Northampton, MA decided to create an informal singing group. Today, Young@Heart is an international sensation, winning critical acclaim from around the world. Their March 17 performance will feature their new show, entitled “Young@Heart: This is Getting Old!”  For more information and tickets, visit www.mechanicshall.org.

About First Night Worcester

Founded in 1981, First Night Worcester is a private, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to providing access to the Arts.  Best known for its New Year’s Eve Arts Festival, the non-profit work of First Night Worcester continues throughout the year with educational programs and community outreach initiatives. Each year, workshops in art, music and drama reach hundreds of students from the Worcester Public School System and beyond.  Taken together, the programs of First Night Worcester create a true spirit of community by providing shared cultural experiences, accessible and affordable to all. For more information, visit www.firstnightworcester.org.

About Commerce Bank

Commerce Bank is a full-service, FDIC-insured, state-chartered financial institution.  Founded in 1955 and headquartered in Worcester, Massachusetts, the Bank offers a comprehensive array of innovative financial solutions including commercial loans, real estate and home mortgages, as well as deposit, savings and retirement accounts.  These services are available through the Bank’s 16 convenient offices located throughout Central Massachusetts and in Boston.

As of December 31, 2011, Commerce Bank had $1.4 billion in assets.  For more information, visit www.BankAtCommerce.com.

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Contact:  First Night Worcester
Howard McGinn, Executive Director
PO Box 351,Worcester, MA 01614
Phone(508)799-4909    Fax(508)799-0092

Worcester,MA–December 3, 2012: First Night Worcester announced plans today to honor Lieutenant Governor Timothy P. Murray for his longstanding commitment to the Worcester community.

“Tim is a Worcester native, and his unfailing dedication to the City has left positive marks all over town. We think that deserves recognition,” said Howard McGinn, executive director of First Night Worcester.

Prior to his election as lieutenant governor, Murray served three terms as mayor of Worcester, the Commonwealth’s second largest city. Under his leadership, Worcester experienced unprecedented economic progress, including $1 billion of new economic development projects which supported Worcester’s ongoing evolution from an older industrial city to a leader in the life sciences, higher education, financial services, and other 21st century industries. Key to the revitalization of the City’s downtown core is the new CitySquare development, which will replace a failed urban mall with a new mixed-use district that will include housing, retail and varied commercial uses, all within walking distance of Worcester’s Union Station.

“We are delighted to recognize Tim’s many years of service by appointing him the first-ever grand marshal of the First Night Worcester procession,” said McGinn.  The procession kicks off at 7 p.m.on December 31 in front of Worcester City Hall. As grand marshal, Murray will lead the procession through the streets around Worcester Common, ending at City Hall Plaza where he will accept an award from First Night Worcester and address the crowd.

Murray was first elected to public office in 1997, winning a seat on the Worcester City Council. He was elected mayor of Worcester in 2001. Prior to serving in public office, he was active for many years in a wide range of community initiatives. He is past president of the board of First Night Worcester. He has also served on the boards of the Worcester Public Library, Worcester Historical Museum, Worcester Community Action Council, the Worcester Working Coalition for Latino Students, and Preservation Worcester.

“I really appreciated my time serving on the board of First Night Worcester and working with a number of great people who were collectively committed to promoting the arts and its many different forms,” said Lieutenant Governor Murray. “First Night Worcester is a hallmark celebration and tradition for people of all ages to enjoy in Central Massachusetts.”

City Hall Plaza is the central gathering place for this year’s First Night Worcester celebration, housing a heated live music tent courtesy of Creedon and Co., Inc., catered food, skating on the new Worcester Common Oval, and a variety of family-friendly activities. There will also be two fireworks displays this year: one near the Plaza immediately following the procession and a second, larger show at midnight sponsored by Polar Beverages, which will be visible for the whole city to enjoy.

First Night Worcester Buttons are on sale now. Pre-sale price is $7 ($10 at the door). Buttons can be purchased at the following locations:  City Clerk’s Office (Worcester), CVS Pharmacy, DCU Center Box Office, Mechanics Hall, Price Chopper Supermarkets, and Tower Hill Botanic Garden. For a complete list of sale locations, visit www.firstnightworcester.org.

About First NightWorcester

Founded in 1981, First Night Worcester is a private, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to providing access to the Arts. Best known for its New Year’s Eve Arts Festival, the non-profit work of First Night Worcester continues throughout the year with educational programs and community outreach initiatives. Each year, workshops in art, music and drama reach hundreds of students from the Worcester Public School System and beyond.  Partnerships with like-minded organizations such as Polar Beverages, The Hanover Theatre, Mechanics Hall, Creedon and Co., Inc., and the Worcester Art Museum enable First Night Worcester to further its mission of bringing the Arts to the residents of Central Massachusetts. Taken together, the programs of First Night Worcester create a true spirit of community by providing shared cultural experiences, accessible and affordable to all. For more information, contact Howard McGinn, executive director at (508) 799-4909.

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WORCESTER —  “If you remember the ’60s, you weren’t there,” funny guy Robin Williams once quipped. Close to a thousand ’60s fans, many of them baby boomers in need of a memory jog, fell by the Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, 2 Southbridge Street, Wednesday evening for “This Is The ’60s,” a multimedia experience that sought to re-create one of the most dynamic and turbulent decades in American history.

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WORCESTER —  Midnight fireworks will return to Worcester this New Year’s Eve.

Polar Beverages has donated $10,000 to help fund a fireworks display that will mark the start of 2013.

The fireworks will light up the sky over Bell Hill, where they will be visible throughout the city, First Night Worcester announced yesterday.

It will be the first midnight fireworks show in Worcester since 2009.

Read full article.

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“Our first experience with First Night Worcester was 30 years ago when my wife and I came from New York to visit friends in Shrewsbury. We were able to attend the celebration’s finale that boasted an incredible midnight fireworks display. Shortly thereafter, we moved to the Central Massachusetts area, where we settled down to raise a family. As we became acclimated to the area, we learned about a “family-friendly” New Year’s Eve tradition: First Night Worcester…”

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WORCESTER _ In the spirit of community partnership, First Night Worcester and The Hanover Theatre announced today that both organizations have joined forces in collaboration to co-sponsor an exciting upcoming performance entitled THIS IS THE ’60s. This partnership is one that they hope will be a catalyst in generating funds to bring back the missed New Year’s Eve fireworks, and that it will be the first of many other collaborations in the future.

Howard McGinn, executive director of First Night Worcester, along with the organization’s board of directors, has a vision of First Night Worcester becoming a year long celebration of the arts community, with the grand finale on New Year’s Eve. This paradigm shift came as a result of making innovative changes to give more opportunities for people to engage with the arts community, First Night sponsors, partners, and supporters.

“A year long celebration which includes art, culture, music, and history, encourages ongoing art appreciation, and added value for our supporters including those organizations and businesses which invest in the future of First Night,” said McGinn.

“We believe that this will not only benefit the community by offering more opportunities to participate in art appreciation, but our partners and sponsors will benefit from annual exposure and recognition for their support,” he continued. “We are stretching the benefits from one night to 12 months.”

The evolution of First Night organizations throughout the country has been one of growth yet, in recent years, setbacks crippled or ended many of them. As the second oldest First Night in the nation, First Night Worcester recognizes that to remain viable and grow, it needs change to meet the needs of a new generation.

“Our goal is to reach all audiences and in 12 months, this is more realistic. There will be events for all demographics, tastes and interests with a culmination of the ‘best of the best’ on New Year’s Eve,” said McGinn. “This will be much more exciting.”

The Hanover Theater has been a venue of First Night in the past; however, this sponsorship initiative in the month of November is new for both arts organizations. Proceeds from the event will be used towards one of McGinn’s goals, which is to bring back the fireworks on December 31, 2012.

“We’re grateful for the opportunity to partner with First Night Worcester, truly a Worcester institution. We hope to help them raise funds to bring back the fireworks this year!” said Troy Siebels, executive director of The Hanover Theatre.

As a catalyst to invigorating the Worcester cultural scene through his vision with The Hanover Theatre, Siebels remains committed to making Worcester a destination for travelers and the community. He believes in keeping First Night alive in the community and supports McGinn’s vision of a yearlong celebration.

“First Night Worcester is a great partner for us because like us, they’re working to make the city more vibrant as a cultural destination. We’re looking forward to making both THIS IS THE ’60s and New Year’s Eve 2013 a success,” said Siebels.

This collaboration will come alive on November 14, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. when First Night Worcester and The Hanover Theatre present THIS IS THE ’60s, a unique multimedia experience that delves into the ’60s.

The show blends a myriad of historic film footage, still images, and animated graphic designs of the ’60s and combines live music renditions of some of rock and roll’s biggest legends. THIS IS THE ’60s will feature music from The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, The Monkees, The Mamas & The Papas, The Fifth Dimension, Simon & Garfunkel, The Beach Boys, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Three Dog Night, Jefferson Airplane, and many more.

“We are so thrilled to be partnering with The Hanover Theatre to put on this amazing show,” McGinn said.

Both First Night Worcester and The Hanover Theatre encourage the community to attend this event, since all proceeds will be used towards funding to bring back the fireworks on New Year’s Eve.

Ticket prices are $28, $38, and $48, with special limited VIP seats available for $75, which includes a pre-show to benefit First Night Worcester. There is a 10% discount available for First Night Worcester members during presale only, The Hanover Theatre members, groups of 10 or more, corporate partners, children, students, and WOO card holders. For more information or to order tickets, call 877-571-7469(SHOW), or visit www.thehanovertheatre.org

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WORCESTER _ Since the retirement of former First Night Executive Director, Joyce Kressler last Spring, First Night Worcester has been undergoing a reinvention of sorts. Earlier this year, the non-profit brought on new Executive Director Howard McGinn, an entrepreneur and high-powered financial executive whose roots in Central Mass. run deep. As a local native and graduate of Worcester State College and Assumption, he has quickly made his presence felt, obtaining multiple grants for First Night Worcester, forging new partnerships, and instituting an exciting rebranding change with the assistance of the well-known Westborough marketing firm, PENTA Communications, Inc.

PENTA has a long history for its marketing prowess and for giving back to the community by helping numerous nonprofit organizations in the region. The firm was a key supporter for First Night Worcester for five years, and stepped up to the plate to help McGinn carry his vision forward with a rebranding to reposition the arts organization as a stronger and more vibrant organization. PENTA worked with First Night Worcester to assist in guiding the rebranding process that included developing a new logo, visual identity and has provided strategic support to help the organization improve its community outreach and awareness.

“I wanted to portray a new logo as part of our new commitment to serve Central Massachusetts by providing access to the arts all year long. We are much more than a single party on New Year’s Eve,” McGinn said. “In addition, we are seeking innovative ways to sustain our fiscal health, which will allow us to expand our offerings and fulfill our mission.”

PENTA Communications, Inc. has been a strong supporter of First Night Worcester, having partnered with the organization five years ago. During that timeframe, PENTA Communications, Inc. provided a wide range of services ranging from advertising and marketing, to public relations and web development services.

“Howard’s vision for a year long commitment to the community is innovative and brings people together in celebration of the arts ongoing, with the grand finale on New Year’s Eve. This builds excitement and anticipation all year and creates lasting value for those partners that support the organization. The new branding for First Night Worcester brings this vision to life and we were pleased to have had the opportunity to do this,” Penta said.

First Night Worcester was founded in 1981 as a private not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to providing access to the arts. Each year since its inception, the organization continues to promote educational programs and community outreach initiatives. Best known for its New Year’s Eve celebration throughout the City, First Night Worcester is continuing to expound its mission of bring arts to the residents of Central Massachusettsthrough partnership with like-minded organizations. For more information, visit www.firstnightworcester.org.

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WORCESTER _ First Night Worcester, the second oldest First Night celebration in the country, has just received a $3,500 grant from the Fred Harris Daniels Foundation. This comes on the heels of a $8,500 from the Greater Worcester Community Foundation that was announced earlier last month.

“This is another steppingstone on the path to a stupendous First Night Worcester 2013,” said First Night Worcester Executive Director Howard McGinn.

A private, non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization, First Night Worcester is completely funded by the financial and in-kind support of Worcester community businesses, foundations and individuals. It also relies on the sale of buttons for financial support.

“We are working to diligently make this a celebration to remember, and through these generous grants and the support of our community, I am confident that we will have a First Night Worcester 2013 that will rival all others,” McGinn added.

For more information on First Night Worcester, or to find out how you or your organization can make a donation, visit www.firstnightworcester.org, or call 508-799-4909.

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WORCESTER _ The Greater Worcester Community Foundation awarded an $8,000 grant to First Night Worcester bringing its cumulative support to the organization in excess of $170,000 since 1998.

“The Greater Worcester Community Foundation is the only multi-interest, multi-donor endowment fund dedicated to the well-being of Worcester and the region. We are able to provide more than $1.5 million annually through our discretionary grant program, in addition to $4 million in donor advised awards,” according to Greater Worcester Community Foundation’s President & CEO Ann Lisi. “First Night Worcester is a treasure for bringing people together in the heart of the city to enjoy and participate in the arts. It gives you even more reason to love living and working here in the community. Our Foundation grant supports the necessary core operating staff costs to manage volunteers, broker the artists, and foster creative partnerships with schools and others.”

First Night Worcester has been organizing consecutive annual events since 1981 and is the second oldest First Night celebration in the country. As a private, non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization, First Night Worcester is completely funded by the financial and in-kind support of Worcester community businesses, foundations and individuals. It also relies on the sale of buttons for financial support.

“During these difficult economic times, having the support of organizations such as the Greater Worcester Community Foundation enables us to continue to present one of the longest standing, 31-year celebrations in the country,” said First Night Worcester Executive Director Howard McGinn.

For more information on First Night Worcester, visit www.firstnightworcester.org.

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