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BRIGHT NIGHT’S GOT TALENT WINNERS ANNOUNCED.
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KILL DATE 12/31/11
MEDIA CONTACT:  ADAM GERTSACOV, 401-288-1231 adam@brightnight.org

BRIGHT NIGHT HAS GREAT TALENT
From Opera to Rap, Four young artists earn spots on Bright Night roster

Rapper Adonis Da Don of Providence.

(12/12/2011, Providence, RI) On Saturday afternoon, in a club in downtown Providence, over one dozen young performers and their families anxiously awaited the results of a tabulation.

The contestants, who ranged in age from 11-19, had all given up their afternoon to pursue their dreams of fame, fortune, and the life of a performer.  The prize today was four paid performance slots at Bright Night Providence, the largest New Year’s Eve Festival in the state.

“Our mission is not only to support and showcase current local artists, but to help nurture and develop the next generation of artists as well,” said Adam Gertsacov, festival director of Bright Night, and a professional clown.

A.S.M., a 7 member dance troupe from Warwick.

“This was the first year for the Bright Night’s Got Talent Program, and we are so pleased with the response from these fine young performers.”

Judge Al Gomes agreed. “There was a lot of talent on the stage today.  It’s really great to come to an event like this and have such high quality performers.  That’s not always the case.”
 

Alison Hornung of North Kingstown

Gomes should know.  He is the head of Big Noise, a local record marketing agency that has worked with the likes of Christine Aguilera, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and the Beach Boys. He is also on several Grammy committees, and has been a regional judge for American Idol.

Other judges included stage magician Chris Carbone; accordion virtuoso (and former accordion prodigy) John Juxo;  and actress, director, and theatre educator Elizabeth Keiser.

The results from the judges were all in, and Gertsacov gathered everyone to announce the winners. “Even if I don’t call your name today, don’t give up your dreams, “ Gertsacov told the assembled group. “Part of show business is not getting selected, and learning to keep your vision and drive to continue to perform.”  He also announced that every performer who tried out, regardless of how they did in the competition, would receive a free ticket to Bright Night.

16 year old self-taught opera singer Ariel Ayotte of Cumberland

He then revealed the winners, a diverse bunch from all over the state. They include:  16 year old self-taught opera singer Ariel Ayotte of Cumberland;  11 year old Providence rapper Adonis Da Don; singer Alison Hornung of North Kingstown, and A.S.M.,  a group of 7 dancers aged 12-17 from Warwick. 

They will all take the stage as part of the Bright Night Celebration at the RI Convention Center on New Year’s Eve.  The young performers will open for more established artists performing at the Bright Night Family Fun Fair at the RI Convention Center from 12 noon to 5pm.

“I guess I’ll have to prepare a couple more songs,” said Alison Hornung, one of the winners.  “It will be a lot of fun.”

VIDEO OF THE FOUR WINNERS AUDITIONS COURTESY OF BRIGHT NIGHT PROVIDENCE
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ABOUT BRIGHT NIGHT PROVIDENCE
Bright Night Providence is an artist-run New Year’s Eve Celebration now in its Ninth year.  The festival features over 160 performers in 14+ venues throughout the downtown Providence area.  Shows go from 12 noon to 12 midnight and beyond.

Other artists on the Bright Night bill include international star illusionist Brad Ross, local legends Big Nazo Puppets, Grammy-winning storyteller/singer Bill Harley, bebop sensation Greg Abate, the Extraordinary Rendition Band,  a blues swing/dance party featuring the Black and White Blues Band, mentalist Rory Raven, storyteller Mark Binder, and a host of other artists and events.   A full schedule will be available in mid-December on the Bright Night website, https://www.brightnight.org.

Tickets to Bright Night are available online at https://www.brightnight.org/purchase.html,  and in person at all BankRI locations and at the EastSide Marketplace. Tickets are $10 each if purchased on or before December 15. Starting December 16, tickets are $15 each through December 30.  On the day of the event tickets are $20 each ($15 for children and seniors)

For more information about tickets call 401-288-1231, or visit https://www.brightnight.org. To purchase tickets via telephone call the Brown Paper Tickets 24/7 ticket hotline: 1-800-838-3006)

Donation and corporate sponsorship opportunities are still available.  Major sponsors of the event to date include the city of Providence, the State of Rhode Island, AAA, Lite Rock 105, GoLocalProv, Lamar, Motif Magazine, Bank RI, Empire Guitars, and Open MRI of New England. To become a donor, visit http://donate.brightnight.org.

To find out more about Bright Night Providence, visit https://www.brightnight.org.

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HEADLINING ACT FOR BRIGHT NIGHT 2012 ANNOUNCED
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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KILL DATE 12/31/11
MEDIA CONTACT:  ADAM GERTSACOV, 401-288-1231 adam@brightnight.org

BRIGHT NIGHT 2012 PROMISES TO BE MAGICAL
International star illusionist Brad Ross will perform feats of magic at Bright Night Providence.

International star Illusionist Brad Ross will perform feats of magic at Bright Night. CLICK PHOTO FOR LARGER SIZE Photo courtesy of bradross.com

11/30/2011, Providence, RI
Bright Night Providence is always a magical night for audiences and performers.  This year, it’s going to be even more magical, when international illusionist Brad Ross takes the stage for 3 shows at the RI Convention Center.

Ross is an international magic sensation.  He has appeared on every major US television network, and on over 500 television programs around the world. He just finished six consecutive years starring in Disney LIVE! presents Mickey’s Magic Show, the biggest touring family illusion show in the world.  He estimates that he’s performed for literally millions of people in his lifetime.  And in 2010 he was awarded the prestigious Merlin award by the International Magician’s Society.  Previous recipients include Sigfried and Roy, David Copperfield, and Criss Angell.  And – Brad is only in his late 20’s!

“We’re really excited to be presenting Brad Ross,” says Adam Gertsacov, Festival Director of Bright Night Providence. “This is our ninth year, and we wanted this show to really be something special.  Brad’s show has universal appeal, for kids and adults alike.  He’s got a goofy humor that kids adore, and combined with his  boy-next door charm and his magical virtuosity and his showmanship- well, let’s just say there’s something for just about everybody in this show.  By the end of the night people will be wowed. ”

Brad will perform three shows in Providence as part of the ninth edition of Bright Night. The shows will be performed at 6, 8, and 10 pm at the RI Convention Center. Your Bright Night ticket (a Tyvek wristband) will guarantee you admission to one of those three performances, plus more than 40 other performances at 12 other venues throughout the day and evening (on a space available basis).

At Brad Ross’s Illusion Show, there’s plenty of audience participation. CLICK PHOTO FOR LARGER SIZE photo courtesy of bradross.com

Other artists on the Bright Night bill include local legends Big Nazo Puppets, Grammy-winning storyteller/singer Bill Harley, bebop sensation Greg Abate, the Extraordinary Rendition Band,  a blues swing/dance party featuring the Black and White Blues Band, mentalist Rory Raven, storyteller Mark Binder, and a host of other artists and events.  New this year is a showcase of winners of the Bright Night’s Got Talent Competition, a kid-friendly talent competition.  A full schedule will be available in mid-December on the Bright Night website, https://www.brightnight.org.

Tickets to Bright Night are available online starting December 1 and in person at all BankRI locations and at the EastSide Marketplace starting December 6.

For more information about tickets call 401-288-1231, or visit https://www.brightnight.org. To purchase tickets via telephone call the Brown Paper Tickets 24/7 ticket hotline: 1-800-838-3006

Tickets are $10 each if purchased on or before December 15. Starting December 16, tickets are $15 each through December 30.  On the day of the event tickets are $20 each ($15 for children and seniors)

Donation and corporate sponsorship opportunities are still available.  Major sponsors of the event to date include the city of Providence, the State of Rhode Island, AAA, Lite Rock 105, Lamar, Motif Magazine, Bank RI, Empire Guitars, and Open MRI of New England. To become a donor, visit http://donate.brightnight.org.

To find out more about Bright Night Providence, visit https://www.brightnight.org.

To find out more about Brad Ross and his amazing illusions, visit http://www.bradross.com
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BRIGHT NIGHT PROVIDENCE LOOKING FOR TALENTED KIDS

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KILL DATE 12/17/2011
MEDIA CONTACT:  Alexandra Kreher, talent@brightnight.org

(Providence, RI: 11/15/2011)

Bright Night Providence, Rhode Island’s largest New Year’s Eve Celebration, is proud to present the First Annual “Bright Night’s Got Talent” Competition.  This event is for the Rhode Island community, and the preliminary and semi-final rounds will be held at the PVD Social Club (271 Richmond Street) in downtown Providence.

We are searching for Rhode Island students ages 6-19 who would like an opportunity to showcase their special talent, ie singing, dancing, poetry, magic, ventriloquism, acting, etc. There will be auditions for all that are interested, followed by a semi-final round and concluding with the grand prize in each age category* : a paid appearance/performance at Bright Night Providence!  There are four age categories:  Ages 6-8, Ages 9-11, Ages 12-15, Ages 16-19.  (*provided there are enough entries in each category)

The first round of auditions is on Saturday, December 10.  The semi-finals will be held on Saturday December 17.  The final performances will be held on Saturday December 31 at Bright Night Providence.

This event is open to both individual and group performances. Due to time constraints, each performance will be allotted a two minute time slot in the first round. Semi-finalists will receive a five minute time slot in the second round.  Finalists will get a 10 minute performance showcase at Bright Night Providence, and a $100 performance fee.

To apply visit http://www.talent.brightnight.org or email talent@brightnight.org,

The deadline for application is Sunday, December 4 at 5 pm.

To find out more about Bright Night Providence, please visit https://www.brightnight.org
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PRESS RELEASE
PLEASE POST, LIST, OR PASS ON
KILL DATE: 9/10/11
PRESS CONTACT: ADAM GERTSACOV
info@brightnight.org
401-351-2596

CALL FOR ARTISTS- BRIGHT NIGHT PROVIDENCE 2012

7/25/2011
PROVIDENCE, RI
Individual artists, cultural organizations, community groups and nonprofit organizations are encouraged to apply to be part of Bright Night Providence, Rhode Island’s largest New Year’s Eve Celebration.

The Banished Fools, one of Bright Night’s roving bands of characters, lights up the New Year.

Bright Night is an artist-run arts oriented New Year’s Eve Celebration that features some of Rhode Island’s best musicians, actors, singers, dancers, storytellers, acrobats, magicians, visual artists, and clowns. Last year, over 40 groups performed, featuring over 150 performers on 15 stages. This year will be the ninth year of the festival.

Commissioned Bright Night artists will be paid for their work and have the chance to use downtown Providence as their canvas. Proposals from artists of all types – theater performers, storytellers, musicians, filmmakers, visual and large installations artists, performance artists, dancers, digital media artists and spoken-word performers – are sought. Artists are encouraged to be adventurous, try new forms and further their own creative processes.

The deadline for submission is September 1, 2011. Applications will be accepted late, but earlier submissions are given preference. Preference is also given to local artists, although no one will be excluded due to geography alone.

The application is available online at
https://www.brightnight.org/perform.html

For more information visit https://www.brightnight.org, or call festival director Adam Gertsacov at 401-351-2596
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Bright Night Providence is looking for a few good artists.  Well, actually we are looking for a few hundred good artists.

If you’d like

Bright Night culminated this year with a new phenomenon that we called the Big Noise–

We encouraged everyone to gather at Kennedy Plaza at 11:45 for a “Battle of the Bands” that wasn’t a battle at all. At around 11:55 we had a trial run of making some noise, and then we all counted down together and made the loudest noise we could. It was really spectacular, and a really great feeling of community right there on the steps of City Hall. We had about 600 people or so in Kennedy Plaza at the time, with about 200 dancing and singing and playing along with ERB (Extraordinary Rendition Band) and the Banished Fools.

It was a really special moment of community, and we hope to continue to spark and continue this feeling.

Happy New Year from the whole group of Bright Night artists to you and yours!

We hope to see you next year, dancing and singing and celebrating with us!