Entertainment Line-up

Most acts are repeated three times a night providing a 45 minute performance.

To download a printable entertainment brochure with pictures, click here
To download a printable 2009 performance grid, click here

Food Sites:

Bronson Park Specialty Programming

Tuba New Year: 5:30 p.m.
Tuba New Year is a annual tradition at New Year's Fest. As volunteers, this one time, 30 member tuba-playing-band always produces a great sound and provides the perfect way to start New Year's Fest. Individuals interested in performing should email Deb Droppers at for specific information. Questions can also be directed to . To participate, please register at 3:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church and practice begins at 4 p.m. with the performance scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on the steps of the Rotary Stage in Bronson Park (outdoors).

Holiday Lip Sync: 7:00-10:00 p.m.
This is one event where you can be the worst singer in America but still razzle and dazzle. Show your school spirit and sing (without signing) to a song – and we have prizes based on the winning team from the area high schools. So, make sure your school is represented. To sign up, email .

Bimbo’s Pizza Eating Contest: 10:00 p.m.
Bimbo’s Pizza donates (actually makes a special pizza for this) small pizza’s. If you win (have to eat it all and be the first) you will win gift cards and prizes. It’s hot, it’s fun, and boy is it good. To sign up in advance, email intern@eventkalamazoo.com

CRYSTAL BALL DROP: 11:45 pm, Steps of City Hall
MAVCON Development and Construction will feature the first ever sustainable ball drop from nearly 200 feet. The ball consists of high efficiency LED lighting, recycled products, and power via sugar based ethanol.

NEW THIS YEAR--FAST-PASS PROGRAM
A FAST-PASS ticket will be distributed in the event that a performance is ‘sold-out’ or over capacity limits. Attendees that are unable to be seated in a sold-out performance will be given a FAST-PASS ticket to receive priority entrance into the next time slot. FAST-PASS tickets are only valid for the specific time and performer listed on the pass.

FAST-PASS users will be asked to return to the venue no later than 5 minutes before show time. The FAST-PASS ticket still requires an admission button, and all seating is open and at a first come first served basis.

This NEW program is intended to allow New Year’s Fest participants the opportunity to see more shows and enjoy the diversity of performances and entertainers.

FAMILY-ORIENTED

Bitter Sweet Acres Belgians: Act Length: continuous
Continuous rides starting at 5:30 p.m. Rides load in front of City Hall. Route is South Street to Lovell, to Park, and back to South Street. A button is required to ride. Rides stop at 11:00pm. www.bitter-sweetacres.com

Yo-Master Zeemo: Act Length: 45 minutes
Yo-Master Zeemo performs a fast paced comedy act that combines yo-yo tricks, juggling and magic. The humor in the act stems from Zeemo's zany personality and includes physical comedy, sight gags and slapstick. www.yomaster.com

The Artistic Magic of Alan Smola: Act Length: 45 minutes
Recognized nationwide for his straight-jacket escape, award winning magician Alan Smola is back with even more incredible magic. Flashy stage effects and amazing illusions are all a part of the interactive and mezmorizing show. www.alansmolamagic.com

The Bubble Wonders Show: Act Length: 45 minutes
"Watch spellbound as International Bubble Artist, Geoffrey "Merlin" Akins creates amazing bubble sculptures from a bubble caterpillar to a kid inside a bubble! Can he make a Square Bubble? Anything is possible!" www.bubblejuggler.com

T. Texas Terry Wild West Show: Act Length: 45 minutes
T. Texas Terry has brought his wild and wacky family humor to audience across the U.S. and abroad for more than two decades. Terry blends cowboy skills with audience participation to perform a comedy western show that is guaranteed to please everyone! www.davoltproductions.com

Terry Davolt Comedy Hypnotist: Act Length: 1 hour
Terry Davolt combines his twenty years of entertainment experience with his Certified Stage Hypnosis skills to create a unique Comedy Hypnosis Show. Terry is a certified stage hypnotist and is fully insured. His family-appropriate show demonstrates the power of the mind in a series of hilarious scenarios using volunteers from the audience. www.davoltproductions.com

Hoffman Animals: Act Length: 45 minutes
Nothing tops the excitement of visiting a world inhabited by Bill Hoffmann's furred and feathered wild life animals that perform tricks and stunts. It's educational and kids can pet the performers!

SpongeBob and Dora - sponsored by Maple Hill Auto Group
Family Oriented Sponge Bob and Dora are coming to New Year's Fest and you can meet them, take your picture, and be a part of the Nickelodeon adventure

SPECIALTY ACTS AND THEATER

Kenny Ahern Act Length: 45 minutes
Touring the globe from Moscow to Minneapolis, Kenny Ahern causes riotous laughter, and his inventive, comic wit collides stupendous artistry with hilarious audience interplay - creating a pleasantly refreshing physical comedy enjoyed by all.
www.kennyahern.com

Ebenezer- Whole Art Theatre Act Length: 45 minutes
Ebenezer is the perfect holiday comedy suitable for students of all ages. This fast-paced retelling of A Chirstmas Carol will capture your imagination and transport you back to Victorian England as Ebeneezer learns the true meaning of Christmas.
www.wholeart.org

Crawlspace Eviction Act Length: 45 minutes

Back by popular demand, this comedic troupe offers a mixture of short-form games and long-form improv spiced with their own sketch comedy. Come be entertained and have some laughs.
www.crawlspaceeviction.com

Kings of the Nighttime World Act Length: 45 minutes
Kings of the Nighttime World are the Midwest's Hottest KissTribute Band. The KINGS perform classic KISS music from their heyday period of the late 1970's. The Kings perform in full makeup, while sporting authentic costumes and instruments.
www.kingsofthenight.com

Boogie Woogie Babies Act Length: 45 minutes
Get ready to jump, jive and wail with the Boogie Woogie Babies, an entertaining, high-energy vocal trio. Audiences throughout the Midwest rave about Boogie Woogie Babies, their entertaining style and especially, their fabulous harmonies!

Broadway Shows Act Length: 45 minutes
Professional singers Denene and Jeremy Koch sing a variety of Broadway and cabaret songs. From classic standards to contemporary songs with a pop flavor, Denene and Jeremy will keep you entertained from start to finish.

Doug Church as Elvis Act Length: 45 minutes
Doug Church, known throughout the world as "The Voice of Elvis" astounds audiences with his recreation of the King's music.
www.dougchurchusa.com

Kinetic Affect Act Length: 45 minutes
Kinetic Affect combines the past experiences and powerful voices of two men from different walks of life;Gabriel Giron and Kirk Latimer later joined their voices to create an entirely new spoken word poetry experience.
www.kineticeffect.com

Jim May-Storyteller Act length: 45 minutes
Jim May is an Emmy Award-winning storyteller and writer. His collection of stories, THE FARM ON NIPPERSINK CREEK, won a best book award from the Public Librarian Association. He is cofounder of the Illinois Storytelling Festival and for 20 years it’s artistic director. He was inducted into the National Storytelling “Circle of Excellence” (Hall Of Fame) in the year 2000.

CLASSICAL AND TRADITIONAL

Norse Code Fiddlers Act Length: 45 minutes
David and Karin Code present traditional music from Norway and Sweden. Enjoy the rich sounds of the Hardanger fiddle, Swedish nyckelharpa and more!

Kalamazoo Brass Act Length: 45 minutes
Wellspring Theatre in the Epic Center
Widely recognized for their world class virtuosity and musicality, Kalamzoo Brass rings in the new year with popular holiday classics!
www.kalamazoobrass.com

Rich & Brandon Ridenour Act Length: 45 minutes
Join former Portage natives, Rich and Brandon Ridenour in concert. This father and son team have been performing together since Brandon was 7 years old. Now at 23, trumpeter Brandon is the youngest member ever to join the ranks of the famed Canadian Brass

Kalamzoo Big Band Act Length: 45 minutes
Kalamazoo's own premiere big band. From past to present, Kalamazoo Big Band provides the greatest swing music in Southwest Michigan. It's music that you will make you get up and dance. And, there is room to swing to your heart's content.

JAZZ, BLUES and more

Cornfed Girls Act Length: 45 minutes
Heartwarming acoustic music with enduring themes that capture the imagination and fill the soul. They possess a unique ability to inject their live show with humor while performing original songs that simultaneously challenge and comfort the listener.
www.myspace.com/thecornfedgirls

Lana Hawkins Trio Act Length: 45 minutes
First Baptist Church Social Hall Get ready because this trio will play all the jazz standards and classics, with some pop and country favorites thrown in!! Band members Lana Hawkins, Steve Kamerling, Denis Shebukhov, John Wegge, many many drummers guarantee that their music will make you dance and simply enjoy.

Scott Cowan Quartet Act length: 45 minutes
Western Michigan University professor Dr. Scott Cowan is an award winning jazz trumpeter and composer who is accompanied by an all-star rhythm section with Mike Jellick on piano, Andrew Kratzat on Bass and Keith Hall on Drums. These internationally recognized jazz musicians will perform contemporary jazz compositions influenced by a variety of diverse musical styles.

Pangea Steel Drum Band Act Length: 45 minutes
KIA Annex
Pangea was formed in early 2002 by members of the GVSU Steelband. The group performs in the tradition of the great steel bands of Trinidad, but also plays arrangements of soca, calypso, and Latin/jazz tunes, as well as original compositions for this instrumentation.

George Moss - Christian Rap Act Length: 45 minutes
The River Church
George Moss is a nationally touring rap artist who incorporates Christian messages based on his own life experiences.

College Band Tent

We know Jackson: Playing at 10 p.m.
We Know Jackson is a three-piece pop/rock band from West Michigan. ..boards and lead vocals is Chris Janowiak. Providing the foundation on the Electric Bass is Isaac Hansen whose background vocals add a shimmer to the shine. Laying down the beats and getting down with his bad self is Peter Breithaupt on the drums. All three are/were music majors at Western Michigan University.
www.weknowjackson.com

Please Promise: 8:00 p.m.
Please Promise pulls from influences such as Relient K, Four Year Strong, New Found Glory and Dashboard Confessional. Please Promise constantly strives for musical perfection, and always delivers an emotional and energy driven live show. Please Promise features Josh Pruis (drums and effects), Jeremy Pruis (bass guitar and vocals), and AJ Pruis (guitar and lead vocals).
www.myspace.com/pleasepromise

Anderson Council: 6:00 p.m.
Anderson Council is a pop rock group formed locally in Kalamazoo. They perform both original songs and classic rock cover songs from the likes of Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles and many more. No one knows who they are, or what they are doing... but their legacy remains... hewn into the living rock of Stonehenge...”