First Night 2013 to Ring in the New Year

As most city residents know, there is never a shortage of fun things to do or places to go in Portsmouth. Each Friday, we will offer five suggestions for people who are planning out their weekends.

1. See "The Intouchables": The film, "The Intouchables," is playing at the Music Hall on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $9 for adults and $7 for seniors and students. The movie is based on a true story of friendship between a quadriplegic millionaire (Francois Cluzet) and his street smart ex-con caretaker (Omar Sy).

2. First Night 2013: Pro Portsmouth's annual New Year's Eve celebration downtown will ring in the new year on Monday, Dec. 31 with a fun family evening of music, entertainment, ice sculptures and fireworks. First Night 2013 buttons are currently on sale at several locations across the city.

3. "Art Infusion" at Players Ring: The live show, "Art Infusion," will be performed at the Players Ring theatre on Saturday and Sunday at 8 p.m. According to the Players Ring web site, the show features "good, all-purpose entertainment (including but not limited to: live music, stand-up comedy, live Dungeons & Dragons, and our own take on Mystery Science Theater 3000."

4. Free downtown parking: Beginning on Dec. 14, the city will offer free downtown parking at all metered spaces for the holiday season until Jan. 2. City residents and visitors can still get a ticket if they leave their vehicle in a metered space beyond the regularly allotted time period.

5. Don't miss Amorphous Band, Funky Grooves: The Amorphous Band and Funky Grooves are playing at the Press Room on Saturday at 9 p.m. There is a $5 cover charge.