Portsmouth's First Night gets bigger and better

For New Year's Eve, Pro Portsmouth just takes it up a notch. "You start off with a great, small city to begin with - what we do is put in the ice sculptures and the performers," Executive Director Barbara Massar said. "We make what is already a beautiful and interesting downtown more beautiful and interesting.

It just has this great community feel." Massar and her group, which organizes First Night, wanted to improve on the success of the event this year, adding more entertainers and venues to the downtown celebration, including a world music component at the Seacoast Repertory Theatre. "We've grown a little bigger .

.. which is a good sign and a good thing in general for a First Night," Massar said.

Some of the most popular events at First Night in Portsmouth are the dance performances. Massar said last year's salsa dancing went over well. "People wouldn't leave," she said.

This year, Ballet New England and Seacoast Civic Dance Company are back. Massar said both groups tend to pack their respective houses. "Both of the dance groups are amazing," said Massar.

"They are talented; they are eclectic."

: Sammie Haynes plays music for the younger set (ages 1 to 8). 8 to 9 p.m.

: T.J. Wheeler's Good Time Jam Jug Band delivers interactive musical fun.

5 to 9 p.m.: Bob Nilson makes caricatures galore, the Headband lady shows how to make your own First Night headband, and face painting.

10 to 10:30 p.m., 11 to 11:30 p.

m.: Blues and swing music. 5:30 to 6 p.

m., 6:30 to 7 p.m.

: The Yankee Clipper Chorus sings 8:15 to 9 p.m., 9:30 to 10:15 p.

m.: Reef lays down some bluesy jazz. 5 to 5:45 p.

m., 6:15 to 7 p.m.

: Martha Dana, puppeteer and storyteller. 8:15 to 8:45 p.m.

, 9:15 to 9:45 p.m.: High Range performs roots music.

10:15 to 10:45 p.m., 11:15 to 11:45 p.

m.: T.J.

Wheeler the Small World Band perform. 8:15 to 8:45 p.m.

, 9:15 to 9:45 p.m.: Fote performs West African drumming 10:30 to 11 p.

m., 11:30 to midnight: Skamasutra performs reggae, ska and more 5:30 to 6 p.m.

, 6:30 to 7 p.m.: Salt River performs folk music.

8:15 to 8:45, 9:15 to 9:45 p.m.: Two Old Friends perform Celtic and American country music.

10:15 to 10:45 p.m., 11:15 to midnight: Rock My Soul performs rootsy, raise-the-rafters gospel.

5 to 10 p.m.: Barbara Jenny, interactive Web art featuring "Kaleidoskins.

" 5 to 5:30, 6 to 6:30.p.m.

: Ballet New England shows off its jazz, ballet and contemporary dance skills. 8 to 8:30 p.m.

, 9 to 9:30.p.m.

: Seacoast Civic Dance Company performs excerpts from "All About Dance." 10:15 to 10:45 p.m.

, 11:15 to midnight: Randy Armstrong performs a musical feast of acoustic, world fusion and jazz. 8:15 to 8:45 p.m.

, 9:15 to 9:45 p.m., 10:15 to 10:45 p.

m.: Beatles tribute band, All Together performs. 5 to 5:30 p.

m., 6 to 6:30 p.m.

: New Hampshire Theatre Project/Genevieve Aichele shows excerpts from the upcoming musical "Mitty" by Becky Shephard. 8:30 p.m.

to 9, 9:30 to 10 p.m.: See "It's A Wonderful Life" in 30 minutes.

5 p.m. to midnight: Countdown to 2007 in Market Square.

7:30 p.m. Fireworks display at South Mill Pond.

Your ticket to the events is a First Night button, which are available at each of the entertainment venues during the event. The price is $15 for adults, or $1 for children. First Night buttons are $12 through Saturday.

The price increases to $15 on Sunday. A special children's edition button for kids under 11 is $1. * Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce, Market Street (through 4 p.

m. Sunday) By visiting www.proportsmouth.

org, you can order and pay for your buttons online, print a voucher and pick up your buttons at the kiosk on Sunday. Buttons will be available for purchase at each of the entertainment venues during the event.