First Bright Night Providence, which replaced First Night, is a hit.

Bright Night was one for its organizers. The arts organization reports it more than broke even on its New Year's Eve festival, which involved more than 140 performers at 24 venues. The event cost $125,000 to produce, according to Adam Gertsacov, and made "a little more than that."

Roughly 4,500 people bought tickets for the event, according to Gertsacov, and roughly twice as many circulated around downtown during the event.

Bright Night Providence took the place of First Night Providence, which months ago canceled its planned New Year's Eve celebration due to lack of funding. So Bright Night, primarily an organization of local artists and art organizations, came together to take its place.

What will happen for next New Year's Eve, Gertsacov doesn't know yet. But certainly, he says, the matter will be discussed among all interested parties.

"There is not an organizational duel going on," he says. "We don't have and we don't want an adversarial relationship with First Night Providence. We both have the same goals: to celebrate the arts and the artists and to create an event for the people of Rhode Island."

For more information on Bright Night and the 2005-2006 performers visit the event's Web site at www.brightnight.org