First Look at First Night Button

By Tricia Hurley and Sarah Favot


Officials unveiled Boston's First Night 2010 button, along with a preview of the program's scheduled events, in the lobby of the Boston Park Plaza Hotel this morning.

First Night is a New Year's Eve celebration featuring arts and cultural events throughout the city of Boston. The event is billed as North America's oldest New Year's celebration and is currently in its 34th year of featuring a city-wide button that participants can purchased for admission to all events.

First Night, Inc. Executive Director Geri Guardino announced this year's First Night line-up, welcomed official First Night sponsor WBZ TV, and unveiled the artist and design of this year's First 2010 button.

About the Artist

This year's button was designed by Roxbury artist Ekua Holmes, after a First Night staff member saw her work. The button depicts the silhouettes of two African-American girls celebrating around the traditional First Night logo. The images were taken from an earlier piece by Holmes called Free to Be, which the artist says is fitting for a celebration like First Night.

"Free to Be is about enjoying a part of your childhood," said Holmes. "We bring out the childhood spirit whenever we celebrate New Year's Eve."

First Night buttons are $18 and will go on sale on November 27 at a variety of Boston-area locations, including Shaws and Star Markets, Store 24, and other locations. For a complete list of sale locations and to learn more about First Night 2010, please visit www.firstnight.org.