PRELUDE EVENTS DECEMBER 2005
New Year’s Eve
Here’s where to give 2005 a proper send off:
Boston
232nd Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party
December 11
Discover why we are a nation of coffee-drinkers at this celebration in the building that hosted the historic protest against British taxation. This year, expect reenactments, a fife and drums concert and (ironically) plenty of tea-related goods for sale. Dress up in colonial attire, and get in for free! www.oldsouthmeetinghouse.org
Las Vegas
New Las Vegas Marathon
December 4
What better backdrop could there be for a marathon than the bright neon-lights of the always-bustling Las Vegas Strip? The first running of this new event will see 15,000 runners competing for $400,000 in cash prizes, with the front-runners competing for the $2.5 million jackpot offered to anyone who can beat the world record. Jogging Elvises and a “run-through” chapel will be offered. www.lvmarathon.com
New York City
Pixar animation exhibit
December 14–February 6
The most extensive theater and gallery exhibit ever dedicated to the art of animation, the Pixar exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art celebrates the works of the studio that brought you films like Toy Story and The Incredibles. Six feature films and a few short films will be screened, and the show will also include paintings and explanations of the animation process. www.moma.org
San Francisco
Kwanzaa Celebration
December 26
San Francisco’s Bay Area Discovery Museum hosts a joyous, heart-warming celebration of the African-American community during the Kwanzaa Celebration (pictured left), which focuses on traditional humanitarian values such as tribal unity, collective work and responsibility, creativity and faith. Join in the face-painting and storytelling, and see performances from drummers, hip-hop artists and dancers. www.badm.org
Atlanta
AirTran Airways sponsors
Atlanta’s largest NYE party at Underground Atlanta, with live music, interactive fun and much more. Starts at noon. www.peachdrop.com
Baltimore
Join the party at the Inner Harbor, where you can ice-skate, listen to live music, play games and have a great view of the fireworks. www.bop.org
Boston
The oldest NYE celebration in the country, First Night is a huge street party, featuring a laser show, fireworks, ice sculpture, the all-important First Night Grand Procession and much more. www.firstnight.org
New York City
Bundle up in your warmest clothes for the classic NYE event—the dropping of the ball at One Times Square. Be sure to show up early, the crowd is colossal. www.nyctourist.com
Milwaukee
Enjoy the dazzling ball-handling skills of the always-spectacular Harlem Globetrotters at a special New Year’s Eve game—a must for families. www.bradleycenter.com
Indianapolis
Radio Disney teams up with the animals at the Indianapolis Zoo for a wild day of fun, including rides, jugglers, stiltwalkers and lasers, from 5pm to 9pm. www.indyzoo.com