First Night Entertainers

The Nest Dance Troupe
The Nest is a nonprofit organization that fosters dance in Bucks County. The program for First Night includes "The Nutcracker Suite" music by Tchaikovsky. We start with snow and an introduction of Clara and the Sugarplum Fairy.  Then we move through all of the classic divertissements including Spanish, Candy Cane, Marzipan, Polichinelle, Flowers, and Sugarplum Fairy variation.We next move to a modern peice. [more]

Magician Gustav the Great:
Richard & Joanne Gustafson, who have presented their magic and illusions in England, Canada, Monte Carlo, Singapore, the Caribbean and 40 or the 50 United States, will present "MAGICOMEDY", a blend of fast-moving, funny magic and audience participation.  Their show, which appeals to audiences of all ages, is filled with laugh-getting routines.

Faith & Practice Band:
Faith & Practice evolved from a group of friends from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, who had been playing "living room music" together for years.  In  1998 several of them decided to form a group and take it on the road, thus Faith & Practice was born.  They enjoy sharing their love of music with others in informal concerts for community groups, campgrounds, fundraisers, parties, conferences, etc.   The eclectic repertoire includes a wide range of folk songs, bluegrass, gospel, pop, and original songs. [more]

Lisa Jones:
Lisa Jones is a local songwriter/singer making her initial appearance at First Night Newtown.  Her soon-to-be-released album is entitled, "Songs From The Heavens", recorded at Cambridge Studios in Newtown and QbDigital Recording. She has performed at local venues such as Starbucks in Newtown, John & Peter's in New Hope, KatManDu in Trenton, and The Puck in Doylestown. Lisa has sung in Gospel Choirs, worked with Church youth groups, and taught guitar to children at reduced rates for low income families. She has performed solo or with her band, 13 South Band. She’s sung Gospel, Contemporary Gospel, Blues, Rock, a bit of Jazz, R&B, Pop, and Folk. [more]

Action Karate:
Action Karate will be holding classes every half hour from 6 pm – 8 pm plus demonstrations in between!

Chelsea Mitchell:
Newtown resident, Chelsea Mitchell, is a singer/songwriter/guitarist with a newly released LP entitled, "If I Got Mine." Chelsea features thoughtful lyrics, an emotional delivery, and a voice that has been compared to Joni Mitchell, Sarah McLachlan, and Paula Cole. Chelsea features folk rock, acoustic, and indie. [more]

Trevor Leonard:
Trevor Leonard was born and nurtured in Bucks County Pennsylvania. Leonard draws inspiration from his hometown, Newtown, and writes about preserving nature, discovering hope, creating community and opening up to new ways of thinking about progress.

Trevor’s first full length effort, “Widening”, self-released on October 23, 2007, demonstrates mature songwriting with melodies comparable to Jimmy Eat World, the passionate groove of Sublime, and intellectual lyrics similar to the poetry of Simon and Garfunkel.

The concept of the record is to be open – open to change, beauty and signals that would otherwise be overlooked; to question progress on personal, political, and global levels; to develop a community of passionate thinkers. In the last year, Trevor has toured the Northeast and Midwest several times and has opened for artists ranging from Roger Waters to Valencia.

Leonard celebrates nature and family, offers hope to desperate characters, and cultivates memories, questioning and the mind in an accessible narrative style. In addition to playing an array of instruments on “Widening”, Leonard produced the songs on the album and developed arrangements for family members and friends to add instrumentation. [more]

Cool Beans: 
Steve Pullara provides a full range of shows, themes and programs for children & families in all kinds of situations and all ages. His solo drawing and singing program is ideal for school assemblies and can also be tailored to pre-school settings, while his children's music band Steve Pullara and His Cool Beans Band is a family favorite and frequent performer at First Night Newtown. Steve's concerts and programs are very popular and booked for festivals, schools, museums, libraries and corporate settings. Join Cool Beans in the Gym as the featured entertainment for KidsFest. [more]

DJ Kyle:
Join DJ Kyle to get down and boogie during the Dance Party in the Aux Gym. DJ Kyle is a Temple University student and local DJ who will help you celebrate New Year’s Eve with the latest hot jams.  The Aux Gym will be transformed from da gym to da club with the latest LED lighting technology and tunes.

Donald Williams: 
Groove to the cool jazz sounds of Donald Williams and the To Be Continued Band before heading outside for the fireworks.  Saxophonist Donald Williams has been playing Funk, Jazz and Blues since 1975. He has played in Europe and at various clubs in the U.S. Donald and his band rock, roll, and jazz up every place they step into.
Donald's latest CD, “Pass It On” features refined smooth jazz selections.  He’s currently working on a Christmas CD and documentary.

Donald's mother purchased his first Alto Sax. She arranged for private instructions in their home and he proved to be a natural. He has studied saxophone techniques with Ed Schluth, Byard Lancaster, Middy Middleton, Rayburn Wright, Bobby Zankel and Sam Reed, Al Gray, Bobby Watson, Jimmy Heath, Tootie Heath, Reggie Workman, and Johnnie Coles.
 
In 1975, Donald formed an R & B band called, "Last Nerve". Their performances were mainly in Philadelphia and New Jersey. From 1979 to 1983 he has played with various other R & B and Jazz bands in Philadelphia, and in 1993 he formed a group called "NORTHBOUND". In 1995 he formed a band called "TO BE CONTINUED". Eventually R & B music was no longer a challenge, so Donald returned to his first love, Jazz, and still performs with “TO BE CONTINUED”. Early in Donald's music career, he played on the street corners of Philadelphia for coins and in subways and coffee houses, such as Long March Coffee House, then eventually at the New York Café and the World Famous Zanzibar Blue Café and Warm Daddy's blues club In Philadelphia. It was an honor and a blessing for Donald to have played with other talented musicians in the area such as Bill Lewis, Kahn Jamaal, Lex Humphreys, Sam Reed, Rufus Harley and Byard Lancaster, Kevin Eubanks, and Jamaaladeen Tacuma.

Donald has traveled and performed in Europe at the Moers Jazz Festival in Dusseldorf, Germany. With pride, on several occasions Donald has made visits to the Philadelphia Prisons were he has talked to and performed Spirituals for the Inmates at Graterford State Prison and State Hospitals, and at various churches in Philadelphia, Valley Forge, Lancaster, and in New York City's Church of the United Nations. Donald has also performed in night clubs, casinos, hotels, and parties throughout the United States. [more]

Christy Jefferson:
Christy Jefferson’s music is an eclectic combination of rock, folk, cabaret, and pop, brought to you via piano and guitar and delivered with a delicious voice.  Her story is a well-rounded one, complete with an early start in music, many brushes with fame, a few bouts of tragedy, and through it all, success.
 
Christy Jefferson was born in rural Pennsylvania and began singing at about the same time she began walking.  A pivotal trip to France in her mid-teens sealed her resolve that she would follow her passion and make music her path.  Upon returning to the states, Christy teamed-up with producer Scott Simon - former member of Our Daughter's Wedding who had a number 1 hit on the billboard charts with their song “Lawn Chairs”. 
 
In May 2002, Christy graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Music (concentration in Vocal / Opera) degree from Kutztown University.  After graduation, she launched her solo career and began promoting her EP, Perspectives, Confessions, and Amendments.  At one particular Dar Williams concert, Christy gave Dar a copy of her EP and was shocked several months later to receive a note from her hero-songstress with the high praise, "You have a lovely voice and a wonderful sense of melody….Looks like you're off to a great start!"
 
In February of 2004, just before a show at famous CBGB's Gallery in NYC, Christy's guitar and keyboard were stolen.  Without the means to replace them, Christy turned to her fans and asked for help.  Her appeal was met with the creation of an instrument fund that generated money to replace her instruments within 3 days of her fans being notified.   Being recipient to such kindness and generosity effected Christy deeply and inspired a 'thank you' song that she dedicated to all those who reached out to her after the incident in NYC.  That song, 'Comin' Round,' was to become her home run tune of 2005.
 
2005 opened with the much-anticipated release of a live album that was recorded at the prestigious Tin Angel in Philadelphia, entitled Live in Philly, which featured a live version of 'Comin' Round.'  Even being involved in a car accident that nearly took her life on the way to the CD release didn't stop Christy from performing that night in top form.  A few months later, her song 'Comin Round' won first place in the Musselman Triathlon CD Compilation Competition - a contest that was open to the Sonicbids roster of over 30,000 musicians.  Toward the end of the year, 'Comin Round' again took center stage when it was selected to be the theme song for the new TV show called 'Season of a Gymnast.'
 
Last year Christy signed with Neon Entertainment who now does all her college bookings.  On September 21, 2007, Christy released her 5th record entitled Living Curiously, which she worked on with several famous producers including Richard Blakin (Frank Sinatra, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon...), and Harrisburg's own award winning producer, Jason Rubal (Dresden Dolls, Showin' Tell, etc.).  One of the songs off the new album, 'Java Jacket,' won a song contest (before the album was even released) that was open to 110,000 other artists; 'Java Jacket' was awarded a spot on Music for Coffee Beings - a compilation CD that is being distributed in Canada, sealing Christy's status as an international artist. 
 
Recent accolades include a feature on 6 ABC TV's music segment 'Tuned In' (which also featured Paula Cole), and an unlikely, yet highly praised opening performance for country rocker Trent Tomlinson (for which Christy & the band were called back for an encore).  Christy continues to open up for notable established acts (KANSAS -- 3/9/07; John Eddie -- 3/30/07; Trent Tomlinson - 8/16/07; etc.) and tours regularly, with an increasing number of full band shows vs. solo performances. [more]

Dr. D.J. Dan Paulish:
Dr. D.J. Dan Paulish is appearing at First Night Newtown for the 6th year, starting with singing karaoke songs in the Headquarters Tent.  This year, he is the Entertainment Chair and will be the MC for the entertainment in the auditorium and the coordinator of the First Night Newtown Idol Contest.  When he is not playing tunes, Dan is a software engineering project manager.  He has authored five books and holds a Ph.D. in electrical engineering.  He also received a Bride’s Choice Award in 2009. [more]

Chuck Schaeffer:
Chuck Schaeffer’s music is based on life experiences, inspired by a wide range of artists across many different musical genres. He combines a blend of folk, bluegrass, country, country rock and Americana. He is in the process of preparing his first CD.

Chuck has shared the stage with much of the top talent in the area. He is a regular performer on Heartlands Hayride, the Northeast's largest live country radio show broadcast weekly by WDVR-FM.

Chuck performed his song “My Baseball Videos” at the Phillies World Series Rally at Dave & Busters, Franklin Mills Mall, Philadelphia PA, hosted by Paul “The Big Kahuna” of 1490 WBCB-AM, Levittown PA.

Chuck participates in:
- Musicians on Call, a terrific program that brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities.
- Jam For Life Foundation, a group which supports and serves the transplant community through music and arts.
- Torchy's Troubadours Against Lyme Disease, a benefit for Torchy Blaine, a friend in music who had Lyme Disease for over 14 years before it was finally diagnosed correctly.
- Combat Veteran Sports Foundation, provides Wounded Combat Veterans with a positive outlet by volunteering through professional sports organizations, seeks to enhance the Combat Wounded Veterans recovery process through a community awareness platform and to provide recognition of their sacrifices.

He partners with his CD producer, Alex Otey, in the creation of commercial jingles for local businesses, and does behind-the-scenes work for NJ folk singing guru Spook Handy. [more]

Son of Man:
Son of Man’s makes its first appearance at First Night Newtown in the Aux Gym at 6:00 PM for a concert/party. This original Christian heavy metal band provides a message of hope and not of depression; a band to free and not to bind. Headed by lead singer, Ciaran Wall, the band includes Dan Secor, Bill Leifholtz and Wil Tidwell…regular guys fighting the good fight. This is Son of Man. [more]

ST. MARK A.M.E. ZION CHURCH
SOUL FOOD DINNER from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. - Free Will Donation
GOSPEL RAP CONCERT 9:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Featuring Rap Artist “TESTIMONY”
FOOD FOR THE SOUL - Watchnight Service - 10:30 p.m.
136 N. CONGRESS STREET● NEWTOWN, PA 18940
Rev. Sandra Reed, Pastor 215-579-9295