Although people won’t be gathering outside for First Night Monterey this year, there will be a virtual version. In fact, it’s a virtual version done in collaboration between the Monterey Jazz Festival’s Next Generation Jazz Band….and First Night celebrations in Saint Petersburg Florida and Springfield, Illinois. Other First Night performances include the Yvette Gonzales-Nacer Trio performing an eclectic Latin mix; the Black Irish Band, which has played in past first night celebrations; Heartstrings, which bills itself as performing “punk-ish pop rock music that is written mostly about love;” and Mc Lars, Dirty Cello and East Of Eden with Kiki Wow in her final Monterey concert.
The Dec. 31 festivities run from 6 p.m. to midnight with kids’ night out activities beginning at 3 p.m. Featuring dance, art and storytelling. The celebration will be broadcast at youtube.com/firstnightmonterey.
There is no cost but the festival encourages contributions on its website: firstnightmonterey.org. First night’s office line is (831) 373-4778.
