By TIM ROHWER, Staff Writer
timothy.rohwer@nonpareilonline.com
While growing up in Council Bluffs, Ruvane Kurland first started to play the piano, then went to strings and horns, and later picked up a guitar.
“I’ve kept going and never looked back.”
Now living in Columbus, Ohio, Kurland has made quite a name for himself on the music scene and will return to his roots as a performer at First Night on Dec. 31.
Kurland’s music is described as mellow groove rock, or acoustic rock, the kind of sound one might hear from the Dave Matthews Band. He has recorded numerous albums and looks for ways to add variety to his style. One of these methods is called looping, which creates different sounds at once.
“I use a pedal board to create a layered landscape of sound,” Kurland said. “It gives me freedom to experiment with additional instrumentation.”
Those who come to hear Kurland at First Night will be in for a treat as he will use an electric guitar for the first time in this looping method. A new album, officially being released on New Year’s Day, will be available for purchase by those coming to First Night.
Kurland has made radio and television appearances and has performed for Hillary Clinton. One performance he vividly remembered last year was at First Night.
“I loved playing at First Night. It was one of the highlights of my year. The audience was warm and receptive. I’m proud to be a part of it.”
The fun starts Dec. 31 at 6 p.m. at 13 different venues around Bayliss Park. At 9 p.m., there will be a children’s procession with the main finale held at midnight in Bayliss Park.
First Night buttons, which grant admittance to the events, are $8 each, or buy three and get the fourth button free through Dec. 15. After Dec. 15, buttons are $12 each. Children 5 and younger are admitted free. Buttons may be purchased at all Bluffs Hy-Vee stores; all Bluffs No Frills locations; Fareway, 310 McKenzie Ave.; all Bluffs Peoples National Bank locations; all Bluffs Savings Bank locations; MidStates Bank, 1851 Madison Ave.; all Bluffs Liberty Bank locations; Frontier Savings Bank, 940 Valley View Drive; and the treasurer’s office at City Hall.
First Night sponsors include the city of Council Bluffs, Cox Communications, U.S. Cellular, The Daily Nonpareil, John and Linda Allen and Pottawatomie County. For information, go online to www.FirstNightCouncilBluffs.org.