Celebrate summer with First Friday beach party
Arts District organizers are ready for a hot First Friday arts festival from 6 to 11 p.m. Friday. The district's hub at Casino Center Boulevard and Colorado Avenue is set to be transformed into a white sandy beach complete with lounge chairs, a tiki bar and performances from the cast of the Beach Boys music-inspired "Surf The Musical."
Returning to the north entrance to First Friday on Casino Center south of Charleston Boulevard is the 30-foot-wide Expression Wall where attendees will be provided with paint and brushes to express themselves. Also returning are free yoga classes by Vegas Hot Yoga and Pilates and LuluLemon. Take power yoga at 6 p.m., hot pilates at 7:30 p.m. or watch the kettle bells demonstration at 9 p.m. Participants should bring their own yoga mat and towel.
Two stages - at Casino Center and Colorado and at Imperial Avenue and Third Street - are to provide ongoing entertainment.
The Kids Zone is scheduled to host a dance competition from Children of the World from 6:15 to 7 p.m., interactive art with Alexis Gonzales-Black and Bricks for Kids from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Ongoing activities include a petting zoo by Roos-N-More, carnival games by Fun For All and music by Dj Baby Chino.
The Fremont East District, south of the Fremont Street Experience, is scheduled to host a dance party, entertainment and free painting lessons.
Art galleries planning First Friday open houses include:
The Brett Wesley Gallery, 1112 S. Casino Center Blvd., plans to premiere "LUSH" by Chris Bauder, which is slated to be on display through Sept. 29.
The Funk House, 1230 S. Casino Center Blvd., is slated to show "Epic Ink" by Carrie Bourdeau through Aug. 25.
The Contemporary Arts Center inside The Arts Factory, 107 E. Charleston Blvd., plans to show "The Garden of the Forking Paths" through Aug. 18.
The Trifecta Gallery inside The Arts Factory is set to showcase "6191 Miles" by Leonardo Aguirre di Matteo.
Local artist and curator Jana plans a soft opening for her new gallery Jana's RedRoom on the first floor of The Arts Factory. The first show is set to feature "Beautiful Pigments" by Steve Jasper and selected works by Jennifer Barreras. An opening reception is scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday.
The City of the World, 1229 S. Casino Center Blvd., is slated to showcase "Summer Days," a juried show featuring artwork from children and adults.
The Rotunda Gallery inside the Clark County Government Center, 500 S. Grand Central Parkway, plans to premiere "Inner Sanctum" by Troy Gillett Aug. 13.
The Sin City Gallery inside The Arts Factory is slated to showcase works by Steve Diet Goedde through Aug. 26.
Blackbird Studios, 1551 S. Commerce St., plans to host Las Vegas native S.C. Jones' "Cinematic Montage."
The Get Up Gallery inside Emergency Arts, 520 E. Fremont, is scheduled to show "Idolize This," street art by Brooklyn-based artist Greg Frederick.
Many galleries are also open for preview events from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday.
For more information on First Friday, including parking and shuttle tips, visit firstfridaylasvegas.com.
