First Night

Happy New Year, Richmond Hill! We hope you enjoyed our virtual celebration.

Hosted by multi award-winning Canadian filmmaker and Richmond Hill resident, Sean Cisterna, the evening featured a curated list of popular holiday and winter show tunes performed by Electric Moon Theatre Company; a dynamic LED performance with Dr. Draw and the Spin Starlets; an exclusive interview with TikTok star and social media influencer Alessya Farrugia; and a finale performance by NOA, one of Pop’s and R&B’s rising talents.

Watch First Night - A Virtual New Year's Celebration!

* Please note, COVID-19 health and safety requirements were followed during the taping of this event.

Try these fun and entertaining at-home activities:

Check out other fun things to do in Richmond Hill this holiday season.

Host - Sean Cisterna

Sean Cisterna is a multi award-winning director whose most recent film is From the Vine (2020), an international coproduction starring Emmy winner Joe Pantoliano, and distributed by Samuel Goldwyn Films. Cisterna directed the acclaimed cancer drama Kiss and Cry (2017), which topped the Canadian box office, and is currently streaming on Netflix worldwide. His 2015 feature Full Out, starring Jennifer Beals, is based on the true story of gymnast Ariana Berlin. The film was broadcast on NBC, now residing with Netflix Worldwide and Disney Europe. Cisterna was awarded a Canada 150 Citizenship Award by the Federal Government for his dedication to and community engagement in the arts.

Entertainers

Electric Moon Theatre Company

Electric Moon Theatre Company provides theatre arts programming to school boards and summer camps in Toronto and the GTA through guest artist workshops, musical theatre programs and lunchtime and afterschool classes. Founded in 2017 by Carrie Libling, Electric Moon shows like Junie B. Jones the Musical, Geronimo Stilton Mouse in Space, Big Nate the Musical and Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas have been part of the main season at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts. During the pandemic, Electric Moon put a virtual ‘spin’ on their programs – theatre classes, guest artist workshops and birthday parties are now available online, virtually and via live-stream!

Spin Starlets: Presents Spin Twins featuring Dr. Draw
The Spin Starlets have teamed up with Dr. Draw, the first violinist to venture from rock and classical into electronic music culture. This act uses the best LED technology, beautifully choreographed acts and dazzling costumes while featuring Dr. Draw’s new beats. There are few names that can promise you won’t leave their gravitational pull without undergoing some kind of transformative emotional experience, and one of those names is Dr. Draw.

Image of Spin Starlets

Alessya Farrugia
Alessya Farrugia is a 17-year-old social media influencer from Ontario, who started her journey as a content creator in September 2019. Since then, she has seen substantial growth on all social platforms including Tik Tok, Instagram and YouTube. Alessya’s goal is to positively influence her fans to be the best version of themselves.

Image of Alessya Farrugia

NOA
NOA is one of pop/R&B’s best kept secrets and “an artist truly worth keeping your eyes on” (Ones to Watch). The Dutch-Canadian, Toronto born artist has spent the last three years creating an incredibly addictive catalogue of songs that the world is finally starting to get a taste of. Her music blends vibrant, catchy melodies with resonant emotional themes. NOA’s fans have followed her to sold out shows, from Toronto's Drake Hotel to Los Angeles’ Hotel Cafe. It’s undoubtedly true that NOA’s live shows are infectious and will have you singing her hooks for the rest of the week and this 24 year old songstress is ready to keep sharing her voice with the world.

Image of Noa

Community Recognition Certificate Recipients

In addition to the lineup of entertainers, we will be acknowledging exemplary citizens who went above-and-beyond during the pandemic to help their community. Five organizations and nine individuals were recognized earlier this year at Richmond Hill’s Volunteer Achievement Awards. The following four individuals join this esteemed group of award recipients:

Pat Pollock
At the beginning of the pandemic when there was a dire shortage of personal protective equipment, Pat sewed and donated masks for local community groups, including the Richmond Hill Food Bank, and headbands and skull caps for staff at local hospitals. Her creations were well received and in high demand. She received numerous requests from nursing staff and was more than happy to oblige.

Miriam Weaver
Miriam was committed to doing her part to help the community fight COVID-19. She helped more than 50 seniors and residents in York Region and Toronto to book appointments and facilitate their COVID-19 vaccinations.

Bernadina Bathory
Bernadina retired as a Registered Nurse in 2016 due to mobility issues, but chose to come out of retirement from March to July 2021 to assist with the administration of vaccines at multiple sites in York Region, including Richmond Hill and Markham.

Ruthabella Lam
In April 2020, Ruthabella, 14, founded the Music Oasis in COVID-19 Campaign where she launched free music programs for organizations and individuals of all ages to improve their wellbeing. Her program had a profoundly positive impact on the health and well-being of all her students, whose ages ranged from four to 63. Ruthabella was featured in CBC Kids (May-June 2020) and recognized for spreading kindness during an unprecedented and difficult time. In December 2020, Ruthabella organized a virtual recital for her students to help spread joy during the lockdown.