Round Hill Celebrates 'Last Night' Of 2006

Although the First Night Leesburg event, hosted by the Bluemont Concert Series, continues to be the main attraction for New Year's Eve celebrants, the Round Hill Arts Center's "Last Night Celebration" is gaining popularity after last year's initial success. The event, which begins at 6:30 p.m. Sunday and continues through 12:30 a.m., is reviving all of last year's traditions, including live bluegrass jam sessions, children's activities, a 50/50 raffle, a catered meal, potluck dishes and desserts, and beer, wine and sodas.

Planning for the event has been ongoing for the last month, but in that short time the organization committee has been busy placing the finishing touches on the Last Night Celebration. Committee Chairman Sven Johnson said the event is an extension of the Round Hill Arts Center's monthly bluegrass and folk jam sessions that take place the last Friday of every month, bringing amateur and professional musicians and music lovers of all ages together for some friendly, toe-tapping fun.

"It's basically the same theme, but [for this event] we're asking for a donation to support the arts center," he said. "The idea is to provide something close to home, an event that would gather the community together and include children as well."

According to Johnson, a lot of families attend the monthly jam sessions at the center, which is what sparked him and others on the planning committee-regulars at the bluegrass and folk jam sessions-to host a special New Year's event.

"We were all just standing around and talking about trying something like this for New Year's, but some people were a little reluctant to move it from the regular December schedule, so we just decided to have another one."

Similar to the bluegrass jam sessions, Johnson stressed informality as the keystone for the New Year's celebration. Musicians are welcome to bring their own instruments and join in on the fun. There's not much ceremony involved, he said.

"People can come early and have dinner, some will come in late after they eat dinner at home. People will just wander in and wander out, and musicians will move from group to group as they see fit. It's the Round Hill living room for one night."

And, the genres of music range, which is nice for those who are not as enthusiastic about bluegrass, like Johnson.

"I'm not a bluegrass advocate, but I still think the music is great. They play all kinds of music, including folk songs and an occasional hymn here and there, and the audience joins in singing with them."

Again this year, Savoir Fare is providing a catered beef and chicken chili meal with side dishes, as well as hot dogs for kids. Beverages include beer, wine, champagne and sodas, all of which will be used to complement dinner and a hearty rendition of "Auld Lang Sine" at midnight. Johnson said event goers are also invited to bring their own champagne to ring in the New Year. Dinner costs $6, with kids' meals at $1.50.

The celebration will also include a variety of children's activities, complete with board games, face-painting and a special juice and soda kids' toast at 8 p.m. Attending parents are encouraged to bring games to share with the group.

Also featured at the celebration is a 50/50 raffle with a cash prize. Tickets will be available for $1. The specific amount of the cash prize has yet to be determined, as half of the money collected for raffle tickets will be included in the prize, while the other half of the proceeds will benefit the Round Hill Arts Center to help underwrite the costs of its community programs and maintenance of its facility. The raffle is scheduled to take place at midnight.

"Everything is pretty much the same as last year," Johnson said. "The only real difference is that we increased the contribution from $5 to $10 to keep programs running at the Round Hill Arts Center."

Last year's event attracted approximately 100 people, netting $500 for the center, but this year, Johnson is hoping to do better. "This is just the second time around, and we're hoping it sticks so we can make it an annual event as a fundraiser for the Round Hill Arts Center.

"We're expecting a crowd predominantly from Round Hill, but everyone from other places around Loudoun are welcome," Johnson said. "Just come on out, have a lot of fun and meet your neighbors."

The center is also issuing a call for volunteers, as assistance is still needed to help with set-up, food and beverage service and clean-up duty.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The cover charge for the Last Night Celebration is $10 for adults, with kids ages 14 and under admitted free. For more information or to volunteer, direct e-mails to Johnson at svenjpatl@verizon.net, call the Round Hill Arts Center at 540-338-5050 or visit the Web site at www.roundhillarts.org.