By Don McMahon

The New England Digital Accordion Orchestra has been invited back for the fourth consecutive time to be among the approximately 70 entertainment acts that will be performing at First Night Chatham, one of the handful of such events still running in our country.

Every New Year’s Eve since 1991, the churches, schools, Town Hall, Community Center, theaters, and lodges of the beautiful seaside village of Chatham on Cape Cod, Massachusetts open their doors to host some of the best entertainment acts from throughout New England and beyond.

For the cost of the purchase of a First Night Button ($30 for adults, $5 ages 3-11, free under age three those attending can choose from entertainment and family activities going on every hour from 1 to 10 PM at 17 locations. Venues are all within walking distance along the Village’s Main Street or accessible by free shuttle buses which run throughout the event. Many of the activities cater to young familiesm making First Night Chathan one of the nation’s premier family-centered, alcohol-free celebrations for ringing in the New Year!

A road race for those who wish to run dressed in costume kicks off in the early afternoon. Entertainment takes a “time out” at 6:PM for the Noise Parade, in which anyone can participate. The crowd, their noisemakers in hand, march together down Main Street to the Cape Cod Baseball League field behind the Community Center to take in an amazing fireworks display at 6:30 PM. Entertainment starts up again at 7:PM and runs through 10:PM.

In addition to the many popular restaurants in Chatham, a number of food trucks are interspersed, serving up a variety of culinary delights throughout the event.

Complete information and the full roster of acts and events and complete schedule can be accessed at the event’s website at: www.chathamfirstnight.com.

The Orchestra is one of the acts opening up the day’s activities, performing concerts at the United Methodist Church on Main St., Chatham at 1 and 2:PM. For the Orchestra, performing at First Night Chatham, is a most anticipated highlight on their annual schedule of performances, and they are looking forward to it with excitement!

What is the New England Digital Accordion Orchestra?

The NEDAO is truly unique because of its ability to produce such a wide variety of instrumental sounds, and to perform in the varied styles of so many different types of ensembles. Audiences at their concerts are treated to a smorgasbord of instrumentation and musical styles. Whether it’s Broadway Musicals, Hollywood Movies, Rock n’ Roll, Country hits, Classical compositions, Big Band Swing or Dixieland, Ethnic or Patriotic favorites, music lovers get a taste of each at an NEDAO concert! Audiences experience an array of “mini-concerts” of many types of musical groups and genres in one sitting!

Formed in 2015 by its conductor, internationally recognized accordionist and music educator, Anselmo “Sam” Falcetti of Wilbraham, Massachusetts, the NEDAO draws its members from four of the six New England States. Its venues include the Spencer Fair, The Big E, First Night Chatham in 2019-20, 2022-23 & 2023-24, and numerous community summer concerts. They were also the opening act for Deanna Martin and Bobby Rydell at the annual Enfield, Connecticut Italian Festival.

Videos of NEDAO performances can be viewed on www.YouTube.com and Facebook by searching under New England Digital Accordion Orchestra.

To arrange a performance or for further information: Sam Falcetti 413 204-5522 or samfalcetti@gmail.com.