Las Vegas First Friday events set to theme of June’s Tunes

The First Friday arts festival is scheduled from 5 to 11 p.m. June 3 at venues throughout the 18b Arts District in downtown Las Vegas, near the intersection of Charleston Boulevard and Main Street. Live entertainment, artists’ booths, food vendors and more are planned. Admission is free. On-street and paid parking is available close to the event, but spaces fill up early. Visitors are cautioned to avoid parking in unauthorized parking areas, such as vacant lots, as they may be subject to towing.

The theme for June is June Tunes, with music and Dancin’ in the Streets, featuring DJ music with dance instructors. Dance Department is at its new location on Coolidge Avenue between First and Main streets.

The event is expanding for the month with events, and streets will be closed for pedestrian access only on First Street from Coolidge to Boulder avenues and all of Boulder and Coolidge from Casino Center Boulevard to Main Street. Colorado Avenue will be closed to vehicles and feature family entertainment, including Youth Outdoor Unity bringing live painting to music, street chalk art and poetry. Students are scheduled to paint park benches.

Fashion Alley is set to return with streetwear designers on First Street, anchored by Hot Mess Boutique on wheels. A Drum Circle is planned at Boulder Plaza throughout the event along with the First Friday Farmer’s Market with Chef Demos near the Land Rover stage at Coolidge Avenue from Casino Center Boulevard. Kerry Clasby is set to host executive chefs.

A bicycle valet is planned at the corner of First Street and Coolidge Avenue. Lyft is set to provide $50 in free rides with a First Friday code available at the foundation’s Facebook page at facebook.com/firstfridaylasvegas.

Visit ffflv.org.

Preview Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. June 2 offers a more low-key event. The preview presents an opportunity to see many of the galleries and shows before the crowds on Friday.

Galleries planning to participate in June’s First Friday include:

The Arts Factory, 107 E. Charleston Blvd.

— Jana’s Red Room: June’s featured artists are Kat Anderson, Bobby J Wysocki, Roman Alexei and Yvette LaForce. The Premium Wall Artists are Mandy Joy, Michele Hengeveld, Loretta DeGrandis and MaryAnn Ferguson. The Deluxe Wall Artists are Larry Keenan, Niki J Sands, Marci Aguilar, Kyle Okiex and Joni Doubenmier. Small works by local artists in the Salon Gallery. Visit janasredroom.com or call 702-454-3709.

— Sin City Gallery: The fifth annual “12 inches of Sin” international group show of works no larger in any dimension than 12 inches featuring sophisticated and transgressive art focused on sexuality. Visit sincitygallery.com or call 702-608-2461.

— Peace N art Studio: “The Radiant Collection,” works by Alexander Huerta.

— Eden Art Studio and Gallery: “The Collective”: The Global Citizenship Service at Cirque du Soleil plans to host its 11th annual art exhibition featuring artwork by the company’s performers, technicians and support staff in Las Vegas. Visit edenartstudioandgallery.com or call 702-706-7103.

— 17 Moons Art Studio: Assemblages by Michael Delacruz. Visit 17moons.com or call 702-245-7725.

— Dray Studio & Gallery: New and classic works by artist Dray. Visit instagram.com/draydizzle1 or call 415-748-0713.

— Wonderland Gallery: Fine art oil paintings by Niki J Sands and surrealistic figurative paintings by Richard Bistrup. Torn paper collage and mixed media work by Lynne Adamson Adrian and surrealistic figurative paintings by Kat Tatz, the gallery’s resident artists. The gallery is also showing work by Lincoln Maynard, Lisa Herr, Paul Smiles and Margo Otto. Visit tinyurl.com/wlgart or call 702-686-4010.

— SaVx Gallery: “Water” featuring works by works by Steve Anthony, Victor Xiu, Danielle Sheffey and Mandy Joy. Visit Facebook.com/savxgallery or call 702-540-9331.

— The Corner Gallery: “Body of Work” featuring art inspired by the human figure by Tamara Geddes, Vicki Rose, Daniel Miller, Orlando, Justin Heiman, Ashley Fox, Maria von Volborth, and many pieces by members of the Las Vegas Artists’ Guild. Visit lasvegascornergallery.com or call 702-501-9219.

— The Nevada Humanities Program Gallery, inside Art Square, 1025 S. First St.: “Intersections: Art and Design and the Neon Museum.” A gallery talk is scheduled at 7 p.m. June 3. Visit nevadahumanities.org or call 702-800-4670.

— Union House, 917 S. First St.: Fifteen local artists set up outdoors, and art is exhibited throughout the building with live music and painting. The space includes Bona Fide Studio & Gallery and Opia Gallery.

—Bona Fide Art Studio & Gallery: “Fairytales and Folklore,” by the art of CSN art club, on exhibit through June 24. Visit tinyurl.com/uh18b or call 702-300-4337.

— City of the World, 1229 S. Casino Center Blvd.: “The Dream Cat” featuring paintings, graphic design and illustrations from the children’s book, ‘The Dream Cat” by Vernon Rowlette. Visit cityoftheworld.org or call 702-523-5306.

— Clay Arts Vegas, 1511 S. Main St.: “Miniatures and Jewelry,” a national juried art exhibition featuring ceramics, beads, pendants, rings, bracelets, sculptural works and more juried by CJ Jilek and including her work. Visit clayartsvegas.com or call 702-375-4147.

Downtown Spaces at 1800 Industrial Road plans to celebrate First Friday from 6 to 10 p.m. on June 3. Visit dtspaces.com for details. Confirmed activities include:

— Heartbroken Reality: Grand Opening featuring cartoon Illustrations by Shhteeb and Stencil art and illustration by Sektor SEVEN. Local DJ AR will be serving up music throughout the evening and Las Vegas clothing brand “The Vth Amndmnt” will have a pop up inside the shop throughout June.

— Bubblegum Gallery: “The Mermaid Show” featuring work by a variety of artists.

— Skin City Gallery: Photography Art by Roger Talley. Talley also plans photo development demonstrations throughout the night, and live body painting is also scheduled.

To reach East Valley View reporter F. Andrew Taylor, email ataylor@viewnews.com or call 702-380-4532.