Big Names Lined Up For “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve”

NEW YORK (December 31, 2010)--Ke$ha and Taio Cruz headline "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest" Friday in Times Square in New York City.

Cruz plans to sing John Lennon's "Imagine."

The New Kids and Backstreet Boys will perform together.

On the West Coast, the lineup includes Avril Lavigne, Ne-Yo, Drake and Train.

Jennifer Hudson will be there, too, along with Natasha Bedingfield and Willow Smith. Black Eyed Peas will host the West Coast part of the show.

You'll be able to buy Taio (TY'-oh) Cruz's cover of John Lennon's "Imagine" starting Saturday through Jan. 31 on iTunes.

Proceeds from sales will go to Big Brothers and Big Sisters.

Avril Lavigne will debut her new song "What the Hell" Friday and she’ll offer free downloads of the song on her Facebook page for 48 hours starting Saturday.

 http://wsjr.nl/New York.html

Taio Cruz performs at Times Square on New Year’s Eve 2011 (Video)

Tonight Taio Cruz performed a medley for the crowds in Times Square. The entertainer sang a medley of his hits for ‘Dick Clark’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve.’ One of the dozen acts tonight seen on the streets of New York City, the entertainer had the crowd moving and singing while waiting for Midnight to ring in the New Year 2011.

Looking like he was having a great time, Cruz interacted with the crowd during his performance and wore his stylish trademark sunglasses. The stage, set above the crowd and in perfect angles of the camera not only helped capture the performance of the night but shared the excitement in Times Square.

New York City Braces for New Year's Eve

National security officials in Washington, from the Department of Homeland Security to the FBI, focused their attention on New York City and Times Square, where local law enforcement finalized preparations for the annual New Year's Eve bash.

For now, however, there is no credible, specific terror threat timed to the celebration, federal and local intelligence and counterterror officials told ABC News.

"We have no specific threats against the city on New Year's Eve," New York City's Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said. "Anytime large numbers of people come together, we put in our counterterrorism overlay. We have other events going on: We have a four-mile run in Central Park at midnight; a fireworks display at Prospect Park in Brooklyn; fireworks by the Statue of Liberty. ... So it's not just Times Square.

"But I can assure you we looked at all of these events closely. We will have several thousand police officers deployed. ... We have every indication that it will be a safe and happy event. "

The New York Police Department put the finishing touches Thursday on the "ring of steel" it uses to protect revelers: a security screen consisting of 17-plus miles of barricades; entrance point searches; video feeds; and uniformed officers spaced every few yards.

"I can tell you that we have more cameras focused on this area now, we're monitoring more cameras than we've ever done in the past," said Kelly as he showed an ABC News team around Times Square.

There will also be numerous security measures not quite so apparent to the untrained eye that include chemical sniffers, biological sensors and handheld radiation wands and pagers.

A few fun facts for revelers to contemplate as they stand with noisemakers, hats and masks, bodies pressed against barricades, huddled against the cold and in some cases perhaps with their knees held close together to prevent nature's urges from getting the best of them:

The ball weighs 6 tons and is 12 feet in diameter.

It begins its 60-second count to 2011 from a stanchion 400 feet above Times Square.

The ball consists of 32,000 lightbulbs.

90,690 feet of aluminum and wooden police horses have fenced the area in years past.

That 17.18 mile-protective fence weighed in, when last tallied by ABC News, at more than 355,000 pounds.

(source:http://abcnews.go.com)

Russia arrests opposition leaders on New Year's Eve

MOSCOW — Russian police on Friday detained several opposition leaders among nearly 120 protesters during New Year's Eve rallies held in central Moscow and Saint Petersburg, news reports said.

Moscow authorities allowed the opposition to stage a traditional end-of-month demonstration to assert their right to gather under the Russian constitution.

The 300-strong crowd chanted slogans in support of the jailed Kremlin critic and former oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky, whose jail term was extended by six years Thursday, and called for broader political freedoms, news reports said.

But several opposition leaders, including former first deputy prime minister Boris Nemtsov, broke through police lines, prompting their immediate arrest, the RIA Novosti news agency reported.

Nemtsov, a key leader of Russia's liberal opposition, was to be kept in police custody until Sunday, opposition activist Lyudmila Alexeyeva told the Interfax news agency.

Police also detained Eduard Limonov, an opposition writer and leader of the radical National Bolshevik Party, near his Moscow home about an hour before he and his supporters were to hold an unsanctioned rally alongside the authorised one.

Shortly after his arrest, a court sentenced Limonov to 15 days in prison for insulting police during his detention, a court spokesman, Pyotr Chenik, was quoted as saying by the RIA Novosti news agency.

"They wrote in the police report that I made rude remarks and violated the public order law," Limonov told Moscow Echo radio, calling the allegation "a lie".

Ilya Yashin, the leader of the youth wing of the liberal Yabloko group, was also detained during the Moscow protest, news reports said.

Russian police said they detained 68 people in Moscow and 50 in Saint Peterburg during two unsanctioned rallies.

Opposition leaders call regular demonstrations on the 31st day of the month in honour of Article 31 of the constitution, granting Russians freedom of assembly.

Moscow authorities have until recent months refused to sanction such rallies, prompting frequent scuffles with the police.

There were no initial reports of violence during Friday's demonstrations.

(source:afp)

CTA to Offer Penny Rides for New Year's Eve; Chicago Event Ideas

Chicago - Once again the CTA will be offering penny rides on all trains and buses the night of New Year’s Eve.

Penny rides will start at 8 p.m. and end at 6 a.m. on Saturday.

Several bus and train routes will also have later service hours to accommodate for the holiday and offer a safe option for travelers.

If you’re still looking for some ideas for how to celebrate New Year's Eve, one of the best places to ring in the New Year will be the North State Street outpost Pops for Champagne. It's offering a light menu until 8:30 p.m., with the Jason Ellis Quartet on deck to play from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

If you're looking for a bit of music -- and emo-punk at that -- you might want to head down to Reggie's Rock Club on South State Street and catch the Smoking Popes.

For a campy way to bring in the New Year, there's the film being screened at the Music Box Theatre on Southport. Chicago personality Richard Knight, performing as his Dick O'Day sleazy lounge host character, will emcee a screening of The Poseidon Adventure, the water-logged film about an ocean liner sinking on New Year's Eve.

A much more traditional way to greet 2011 will be at Navy Pier to check out the annual fireworks display.

There will be two shows. One is at 8:30 p.m. for those not wanting to wait until midnight, plus a second fireworks extravaganza carefully scheduled to start at exactly 11:59 p.m.

(source:myfoxchicago.com)

Some Mich. bars to allow smoking New Year's Eve

LANSING, Mich. — Some Michigan bar owners plan to protest the state's 8-month-old smoking ban by allowing partygoers to light up after 9 p.m. Friday.

Organizers won't reveal the names of participating bars.

"They're not necessarily promoting it, but rather they're not going to prevent people from smoking," said Steve Mace, spokesman for the protest being organized by Bloomfield Hills-based Protect Private Property Rights in Michigan.

The ban went into effect May 1. It prohibits smoking in workplaces, public buildings, bars and restaurants.

Mace said each bar will handle the protest as it sees fit. Some may simply put out ash trays for the first time since May; others may go further to encourage smoking.

The goal: to let lawmakers know that banning smoking is bad for business, according to some industry advocates.

"Of the calls I'm getting, 60% are from businesses saying it has hurt their business and ... they're barely able to survive now," said Ed Deeb, president of the Michigan Food and Beverage Association. "I don't know if the protest will be effective, but maybe it will draw some attention and cause legislators to change the law."

State officials say their own studies show the ban has had no major effect on bar sales.

A report released Dec. 21 by the state Department of Treasury showed a slight increase in sales taxes collected at bars, taverns, nightclubs and restaurants in the past year.

State health officials say they don't plan to monitor the protest but will investigate all complaints, said James McCurtis, spokesman for the Michigan Department of Community Health.

Bars that violate the ban face a $100 fine for the first offense and a $500 fine for subsequent violations, McCurtis said.

"Businesses that willfully break the law and allow smoking in their establishment are risking fines and potentially being shut down," he said.

Individual smokers or customers cannot be cited for violating the ban.

(source:usatoday.com)

First Night

First Night is an artistic and cultural celebration on New Year's Eve, taking place from afternoon until midnight. Some cities have all their events during the celebration outside, but some cities have events that are hosted indoors by organizations in the city, such as churches and theaters. Since it happens on New Year's Eve, First Night celebrations are actually held on the last night of the old year. The real first night occurs on New Year's Day. First Night celebrates a community's local culture, often featuring music, dance, comedy, art, fireworks and, in some cities, ice sculptures and parades.

First Night began in Boston in 1976 by a small group of artists who sought an alternative way of celebrating New Year's Eve, creating an event where the consumption of alcohol is banned. Soon other surrounding communities started their own First Night celebrations. By the 1990s the First Night Boston event was attracting works by over a thousand artists, and in 2006 more than a million visitors were in attendance.

During the Late 2000s Recession, several First Night celebrations faced financial difficulty, being scaled back or canceled, while others found the funding to continue. Alternatively, other celebrations have sprung up. For example, in 2003, First Night Providence announced they would not be able to continue their celebration which had been continuing for 19 years. A group of local artists banded together to create Bright Night Providence,[6] an artist-run New Year's Eve celebration based on the idea and spirit of First Night.

Despite changing economic conditions the First Night model continues to evolve and thrive as a positive force in the arts not only in Boston but throughout the United States. First Night USA is the national off-shoot of the parent organization, tasked with engaging stakeholders, opening up communications and creating networks that share ideas and best practices with the numerous First Night licensed events spread throughout the United States.

In addition to the New Year's festival, First Night is deeply involved in Boston's art and culture communities via the Neighborhood Network. Started in 1994, the Neighborhood Network partners First Night with 25 community organizations throughout Boston's neighborhoods- including Dorchester, Mattapan, Jamaica Plain and South Boston- to engage young people and families in creative workshops with artists and educators. In 2000 First Night launched Summer Beat, a series of summer camp like dance and music workshops spread around the city of Boston.

(source:wikipedia)

New Year's Day

New Year's Day is observed on January 1, the first day of the year on the modern Gregorian calendar also used in ancient Rome. In countries using the Gregorian calendar as their main calendar, it is a public holiday, often celebrated with fireworks at the stroke of midnight as the new year starts. January 1 on the Julian calendar corresponds to January 14 on the Gregorian calendar, and it is on that date that followers of some of the Eastern Orthodox churches celebrate the New Year.

History

Old Style and New Style dates, Julian year (calendar), and Lunisolar calendar

Probably observed on March 1 in the old Roman Calendar, The World Book Encyclopedia of 1984, volume 14, page 237 states: "The Roman ruler Julius Caesar established January 1 as New Year's Day in 46 BC. The Romans dedicated this day to Janus, the god of gates, doors, and beginnings. The month of January was named after Janus, who had two faces - one looking forward and the other looking backward." This suggests that New Year's celebrations are founded on pagan traditions. Some have suggested this occurred in 153 BC, when it was stipulated that the two annual consuls (after whose names the years were identified) entered into office on that day, though no consensus exists on the matter. Dates in March, coinciding with the spring equinox, or commemorating the Annunciation of Jesus, along with a variety of Christian feast dates were used throughout the Middle Ages, though calendars often continued to display the months in columns running from January to December.

Among the 7th century pagans of Flanders and the Netherlands, it was the custom to exchange gifts at the New Year. This was a pagan custom deplored by Saint Eligius (died 659 or 660), who warned the Flemings and Dutchmen, "(Do not) make vetulas, [little figures of the Old Woman], little deer or iotticos or set tables [for the house-elf, compare Puck] at night or exchange New Year gifts or supply superfluous drinks [another Yule custom]." The quote is from the vita of Eligius written by his companion, Ouen.

Most countries in Western Europe officially adopted January 1 as New Year's Day somewhat before they adopted the Gregorian calendar. In England, the Feast of the Annunciation on March 25, was the first day of the new year until the adoption of the Gregorian Calendar in 1752. The March 25 date was known as Annunciation Style; the January 1 date was known as Circumcision Style, because this was the date of the Feast of the Circumcision, being the eighth day counting from December 25 when Christ was believed to be born. This day was christened as the beginning of the New Year by Pope Gregory as he designed the Liturgical Calender.

New Year's Days in other calendars

Main article: New Year

In cultures which traditionally or currently use calendars other than the Gregorian, New Year's Day is often also an important celebration. Some countries concurrently use the Gregorian and another calendar. New Year's Day in the alternative calendar attracts alternative celebrations of New year. If living abroad and the calendar used in the country of origin differs from the calendar used in the country of location, New Year's Day may be celebrated on both dates.

Israel is one country that uses the Gregorian calendar but does not formally celebrate the New Year's holiday — mainly due to objections by religious parties on the holiday's non-Jewish origins. However, there are Israeli Jews who partake in some sort of celebration. The date of the Jewish new year is celebrated on Rosh Hashanah no matter where the location. The date of the Islamic New Year moves from year to year because the Islamic calendar is lunar.

Hindu New Year falls at the time and date Sun enters Mesha on the Hindu calendar. Hindus celebrate the new year by paying respects to their parents and other elders and seek their blessings. They also exchange tokens of good wishes for healthy and prosperous year ahead.

Japanese New Year in Japan is celebrated on January 1 because the Gregorian calendar is now used instead of the Chinese calendar.

Chinese New Year is celebrated in many countries around the world. It is the first day of the lunar calendar. It is celebrated in numerous countries such as Korea, Vietnam, and many other Asian countries that have Chinese heritage or follows the lunar calendar. It can also be seen internationally since the Chinese population is widely spread out. It is celebrated with plenty of good food, lucky red envelopes (filled with money), families, and many things red (which resembles good luck). Lion and dragon dance, drums, fireworks, firecrackers, and other entertainments will fill the streets. It is the favorite holiday for many Chinese adults and children.

Traditional and modern celebrations and customs

New Year's Eve

Main article: New Year's Eve

Hogmanay (New year) celebrations in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Sydney leads the world in one of the first major New Year celebrations each year.

Taipei 101 New Year's fireworks in Taipei, Taiwan in 2008.

January 1 represents the fresh start of a new year after a period of remembrance of the passing year, including on radio, television and in newspapers, which starts in early December in countries around the world. Publications have year-end articles that review the changes during the previous year. There are also articles on planned or expected changes in the coming year.

This day is traditionally a religious feast, but since the 1900s has become an occasion to celebrate the night of December 31, called New Year's Eve. There are fireworks at midnight at the moment the new year arrives.

In Russia and former USSR, the celebration of Old New Year or Novi God is greeted by fireworks and drinking champagne. The New Year is considered a family celebration, with a lavish dinner tables and gifts. The president of Russia normally counts down the final seconds of the "old year", as it is called in Russia. A giant clock tower chimes in the new year, and it is customary to make a wish with each chime.

In Brazil, celebrations are held around the nation. Most famous is the celebration in Rio de Janeiro.

In Australia, celebrations are held around the nation.

In New York City, the 11,875-pound (5,386-kg), 12-foot-diameter (3.7-m) Times Square Ball located high above Times Square is lowered starting at 11:59 p.m., with a countdown from :10 seconds until :01, when it reaches the bottom of its tower. The arrival of the new year is announced at the stroke of midnight with fireworks, music and a live celebration that is broadcast nationwide.

In the United States, it is traditional to spend this occasion together with loved ones. A toast is made to the new year, with kisses, fireworks and parties among the customs. It is popular to make a New Year's resolution, although that is optional.

Junkanoo parade, in Nassau, Bahamas.

In Scotland, there are many special customs associated with the New Year. These are a part of the Scottish celebration Hogmanay, the Scots name for New Year's Eve. The famous street party in Princes Street in Edinburgh is one example.

In Wales, Calennig is celebrated, with celebrations attracting thousands of people in the capital, Cardiff.

In London, thousands gather along the Embankment on the River Thames to watch the fireworks around the London Eye.

In European countries, the New Year is greeted with private fireworks. This day is also the occasion to make bonfires of discarded Christmas trees in some countries.

In Greece, families and relatives switch off the lights at midnight, then celebrate by cutting the "vassilopita" (Basil's pie) which usually contains one coin or equivalent. Whoever wins expects luck for the whole year. After the pie, a traditional game of cards called "triantaena" (31) follows.

In Davos, Switzerland, the final match of the Spengler Cup ice hockey Tournament is usually held on this day by tradition.

In the Philippines, fireworks, booming sound system as well as make a lot of noise with the belief that the noises would scare evil spirits away, preventing them from bringing bad luck to the coming new year. The tables are laden with food for the Media Noche or midnight meal, and there is a basket of 12 different round fruits to symbolize prosperity in each of the coming year's 12 months. Public new year parties like those in New York and Sydney are also available to the people and very well attended.

On New Year's Day, people in certain countries gather on beaches and run into the water to celebrate the new year. In Canada, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Netherlands this is very popular. These events are sometimes known as polar bear plunges, and are sometimes organized by groups to raise money for charity. Polar Bear Clubs in many Northern Hemisphere cities near bodies of water, have a tradition of holding organized plunges on New Year's Day.

New Year's Day

The celebrations held world-wide on January 1 as part of New Year's Day commonly include the following:

Parades

Football, usually college football in the United States

Ice hockey, most famously the Winter Classic

Concerts

Entertainment, usually enjoyed from the comfort of home.

Family time

Traditional meals

Church services

New Year's babies

In Brittany, a common image used is that of an incarnation of Father Time (or the "Old Year") wearing a sash across his chest with the previous year printed on it passing on his duties to the Baby New Year (or the "New Year"), an infant wearing a sash with the new year printed on it.

In modern time and world-wide, the association of parenthood is with a baby's arrival, with New Year's Eve a father and mother together presenting their newborn child as the new year arrives and is celebrated.

People born on New Year's Day are commonly called New Year babies. Hospitals, such as the Dyersburg Regional Medical Center in the U.S., give out prizes to the first baby born in that hospital in the new year. These prizes are often donated by local businesses. Prizes may include various baby related items such as baby formula, baby blankets, diapers, and gift certificates to stores which specialize in baby related merchandise.

Other celebrations on January 1

Some churches celebrate the Feast of the Circumcision of Christ on January 1, based on the belief that Jesus was born on December 25, and that, according to Jewish tradition, his circumcision would have taken place on the eighth day of his life (which would be January 1). The Catholic Church has also given the name Feast of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God to their holy day on January 1.

See also

First Night

New Year

Winter holiday season

(source:wikipedia)

New year in White house,Obama, Republicans face new Washington battles

WASHINGTON — Barack Obama returns to a transformed Washington next week, with empowered Republicans bristling for a defining budget fight and the calendar relentlessly pointing to the 2012 election.

President Obama will swap the peace of his Hawaii vacation for a stormy new political season, looking more resilient and self-confident than many thought possible with his political stock replenished by year-end victories.

But the rare period of bipartisanship between Democrats and Republicans which produced those gains -- dubbed by Obama a "season of progress" -- may be fleeting as his presidency enters a challenging new narrative arc.

Though Obama got his way or compromised with his foes on taxes, a Russia nuclear treaty and on allowing gays to serve openly in the military, political fissures are evident on funding the government and the huge deficit.

Still, Obama, who concluded after the Republican rout in mid-term elections in November that voters want an honest attempt to forge bipartisan solutions, is positioning himself in the political center.

"I'm not naive. I know there will be tough fights in the months ahead," Obama said in a year-end press conference, previewing the likely tone of his State of the Union address in January, which will frame his strategy.

"But my hope heading into the New Year is that we can continue to heed the message of the American people and hold to a spirit of common purpose in 2011 and beyond."

The political environment in which Obama enacted most of his agenda in just two years was changed beyond recognition in November's polls.

Gone are wide Democratic majorities in Congress which speeded historic health care and finance reform, and an 800-billion-dollar stimulus plan.

Instead, Obama faces a Republican House of Representatives stocked with conservatives demanding spending cuts after a Tea Party grass-roots uprising, and a reduced Democratic hold on the Senate.

Key issues -- the 1.3-trillion-dollar budget deficit and a 2011 government budget blocked by Republicans -- tug at the doctrinal fault line between the parties, making confrontation certain.

Obama must also defend previous victories.

Republicans cannot repeal health reform while Obama has a presidential veto, but plan instead to block White House efforts to fund its implementation.

"We will do everything we can to drive a stake through the heart of Obamacare," Colorado House Republican Doug Lamborn told Fox News.

But the White House may prove a resourceful foe, as Obama and his administration appeared to confound criticisms that they were weak at wielding presidential power in the year-end flurry of legislation.

Inside the West Wing, thoughts are turning towards Obama's bid for a second term in 2012 -- several key aides are expected to decamp shortly to Chicago to fire up a reelection campaign machine.

Obama is vowing more domestic travel to reconnect with the US public.

The ticking political clock may also bear on legislative tactics.

With an 858-billion-dollar tax cut deal with Republicans, Obama may have infuriated core Democrats, but he courted independent voters he needs to win reelection.

And by repealing the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy on gays in the military, Obama shored up his own base of disenchanted liberals.

Republicans meanwhile face a dilemma.

The strategy of obstruction that helped Republicans at the polls in November may now anger voters seeking results.

So, Republican speaker-elect John Boehner may have a motive for seeking some accommodation with the White House early in the new Congress.

However, Mitch McConnell, the top Republican in the Senate, has already said his top priority is depriving Obama of a second term, and the unfolding Republican presidential race will likely pull the party to the right.

While much has changed in Washington, there is one constant: despite approval ratings just below a respectable 50 percent, Obama is still paying the political price of a slowly recovering economy.

Few Americans have felt much of a rebound from the worst recession since the 1930s and unemployment is nudging 10 percent.

Obama had a weak hand in November, telling voters things were getting better despite the evidence of their own lives.

Fighting a presidential election on similar ground could doom his hopes of the second term without which history judges few presidencies a success.

The coming year may also see a defining moment in Afghanistan policy, as US surge troops struggle to expand on modest progress reported in a strategy in December.

Obama may have to go forward without Defense Secretary Robert Gates, a key ally in the Pentagon and a master Washington powerplayer, who is expected to resume his retirement later this year.

(source:afp)