ENTERTAINMENT

METROMIX CENTENNIAL BALLROOM

DEATH IS A DIALOGUE 9:00 - 10:00pm

The 2011 Band 2 Band Combat Winners will play the opening act of the Downtown Countdown. Death is a Dialogue is a tribute to the dark poet of the early 1900's. Their song, "Low Lies Lenore", is a commentary on the life of American poet Edgar Allan Poe and the loss of his first wife. With a live show similar to Hot Water Music and Pennywise, Death is a Dialogue pours out a variety of catchy, dark songs in the post punk-hardcore genre.

ED KOWALCZYK of LIVE 10:15 - 11:45pm

Ed Kowalczyk, widely known as the lead-singer, frontman, guitarist of the band LIVE, has built an impressive résumé with his bandmates that includes eight full-length albums, total CD sales exceeding 20 million, a huge international fan base and extensive touring all over the world. Live has been one of the most successful and enduring alternative rock bands of the 1990s and 2000s. Look for Ed to perform all of Live's biggest hits will his full rock band! Check out a video of Ed Kowalczyk's live show!

MIDNIGHT COUNTDOWN & BALLOON DROP 11:45pm - Midnight

Say goodbye to 2011 in style with thousands of your new best friends at Atlanta's largest balloon drops, located in the two main ballrooms!

NAUGHTY BY NATURE 12:00am - 1:00am

The Grammy Award winning, Platinum-album selling, New Jersey super-group, Naughty By Nature, is celebrating their twenty year track record of creating the hits and party anthems that have become the soundtrack to our lives. Their music has smashed through mainstream barriers all while remaining true to the sound, message and grit of the hood. After years of steady touring and itching to get back in the studio, both Treach and Vin agreed in 2008 that in order for the next album to have that authentic sound and feel of Naughty By Nature, they must reunite with DJ Kay Gee. At this same time, VH1 bestowed their coveted “HipHop Honor” to the group as innovators of our culture. Joining the ranks of Big Daddy Kane, Rakim and Eazy E. , the group received their “HipHop Honors” in October of 2008. The group continues to tour globally, ripping stages from Australia to Canada and New Jersey to South Africa. Naughty By Nature is on their A-game and have no plans to stop anytime soon.

DJ JAMMIN' DAVE (in between sets)

DJ JAMMIN' Dave, discovering the passion for sound and music in college, has lead him to a respected position in entertainment performance and management. As the owner of JAMMIN' DJs, he currently is one of the top requested disc jockey entertainers in Atlanta for special events including weddings, corporate parties, clubs, high school and college dances. JAMMIN' Dave has been a choice favorite as as part of the mobile crew for local radio stations All the Hits Q100 and 95.5 the Beat and has spun at Twisted Taco, 1150, Velvet Room, Jack Rabbit Lounge, and the In Like Flynn- Summer Pool Parties at the Hyatt. His enthusiasm and ability to connect with his people during the events help define his edge at keeping the dance floor packed and pleasing the crowd.

GRAND HALL - RED BULL CLUB '12

LETHAL RHYTHMS ENTERTAINMENT

Featuring Atlanta's hottest mashup DJ Joel Rabe of Lethal Rhythms. Rabe has been burning up dance floors across the South East for all types of events while developing a diverse musical platform spinning mash ups, special top 40 dance remixes, club and classics. Lethal Rhythms have mixed and entertained in Mexico, Venezuela, and Germany on the International Scene, as well as in cities such as Phoenix, Atlanta, Chicago, Boston and seasonally up and down the Jersey Shore. Expect a great performance as Lethal Rhythms will be mixing video and audio for an unbeatable New Year's Celebration!

REGENCY 6 & 7 - VIDEO DJ REMIX

DJ SUSPENSE

DJ Suspense has been rocking Atlanta's favorite festivals and club scene for over ten years now! Suspense is not new to the Downtown Countdown Extravaganza, he entertained the crowds from 2004-2007! Now he is back to bring the Downtown Countdown show the next level with an all new Live Video Mix! Suspense will be mixing the Hottest Videos of 2011 and all the classic hits, with tons of mashups to keep you moving and grooving all night!

HANOVER ROOM

BLIND CRUSH 9:00-10:00pm, 10:15-11:15pm

Described as the coolest band in the known universe (and Metro Atlanta), Blind Crush is ready to rock in the New Year with their unbridled intensity! Their self imposed quest to entertain at the highest level, has always brought out their own brand of dynamic energy and charisma at every Blind Crush show. Performance highlights include sharing the bill with such top artists as Sister Hazel, Cracker, and Tone Loc. They have played Gwinnett Arena, as well as a few local venues where they were able to peel paint off the walls (OK, the paint was already peeling when they arrived). Be sure to check them out as they perform your favorite songs from Classic Rock and Alternative to Pop and Dance Party Hits!

UNZIPT 11:45pm-12:45am, 1:00-2:00am

Ten minutes into a show by UNZIPT, and you realize this is not your ordinary cover band -- this is something original. Gone are the top-40 covers, the disco, and the standard 80s synth-pop. Much to your surprise, you are fed a steady diet of alternative covers from yesterday and today, sandwiched between alternative versions of the unexpected, and before you know it it's 2am and they're still going. In the short time that this up-and-coming alternative cover band has been together, UNZIPT has rapidly developed a faithful following on the strength of its high energy, marathon shows, and a unique sound and set list that sets the band apart

PUNCHLINE COMEDY LOUNGE - LEARNING CENTER

COMEDIANS SUBJECT TO CHANGE

MARCUS HARVEY

Marcus Harvey is loving his life and sharing it with audiences by shedding light on how to look at experiences that happen in life differently. Regardless of age, race, sex or background he has a way of connecting with the crowd to make them all laugh through his observations, stories, voice impressions, and overall unpredictability.

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SHALEWA SHARPE

Shalewa Sharpe made her Atlanta comedy debut in September 2009, but she has been hilarious since March 2010. She has performed with comedy oldtimers (Emo Philips, Marc Maron, Greg Berendt) as well as young whippersnappers (Jon Dore, Kyle Kinane, Donald Glover).

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TUSHAR SINGH

Tushar is a Atlanta based comedian who has performed in various clubs and venues across the country including the Laughing Skull Lounge Atlanta, Stand Up New York, Broadway Comedy Club, Zanies Nashville and the Houston Improv.

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DAN WEEKS

Dan Weeks has crafted a style that’s anything but ordinary. Whether delivering a punchy 1 liner, or a well paced, hilarious story, Dan is sure to keep audiences laughing.

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