Now that all the New Year’s Eve celebrations are over and the hurtie heads are getting better, I got to thinking about those celebrations… A lot of communities around us and, I think, nationwide have “non-traditional” New Year’s Eve parties, referred to as “First Night” celebrations. These kinds of celebrations have been going on for about 40 years — I’ve never been to one and have always wondered about the name — since it’s held on the last night of the year, it should be called Last Night instead of First Night. I suppose you could make the argument that it’s really celebrating the start of the new year rather than the ending of the old one… but it still seems a little strange to me.
According to my extensive research results, First Night is a North American artistic and cultural celebration held on New Year’s Eve, taking place from afternoon until midnight. The first First Night originated in Boston on December 31, 1975, organized by a small group of artists looking for an alternative way of celebrating New Year’s Eve. They envisioned an event where Boston’s young, innovative artists and musicians could perform and also avoid the emphasis on alcohol that is common at New Year’s Eve parties. Other cities picked up on the trend and by 1999 these celebrations were being held in more than 250 cities.
Anyhow, the more I think about it, first does have a more positive connotation than last. Do you remember your first car? Your first ride in an airplane? First foreign country you visited? First live concert you ever attended? Your first grade teacher?
Generally speaking, those first things stick in your mind and are generally fond memories. As for last, not so much. Do you remember the last time you typed something on a typewriter? The last time you used a dial telephone (or even one with a cord?) Do you remember the last time you saw cigarettes advertised on TV? Do you remember the last movie you watched on a videocassette? Do you remember the last time you sent or received a telegram?
All “firsts” are not good — likewise with all “lasts.” The “first’ World War wasn’t good, and neither was the “last” soldier killed in that war — but it was good that he was the “last.”
So this isn’t my first blog entry this year and, hopefully, not my last….
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