First Friday listings, Aug. 7, 2015

The First Friday arts festival is scheduled from 5 to 11 p.m. Aug. 7 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 event is returning to its roots as an art event for the month with "Summer Artwalk: 1st Friday in the Arts District." The closed streets will be limited to the area north of Charleston Boulevard, which will be organized by the First Friday Foundation, while events south of that on Casino Center Boulevard will be organized by the galleries located there.

Although the main events are scheduled at the 18b Arts District, organizers note that First Friday exists all over downtown Las Vegas, and the sense of wonder and creative energy has expanded to the Fremont East area before and after each First Friday event with engaging arts, crafts, bands and food and drink specials at Fremont East locations at First Friday-Fremont.

For information on shuttle services, artists, music and more, visit firstfridaylasvegas.com.

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

Galleries planning to participate in August's First Friday include:

The Arts Factory, 107 E. Charleston Blvd.

Jana's Red Room: "The Red Room Artists Retreat," a group show featuring local artists, acrylic paintings by Don Michael Jr., mixed media by Lisa Herr, surreal oil paintings by Manny Rubio and mixed media by Annie Wildbear. Small works by local artists are featured in the Salon Gallery. Visit janasredroom.com or call 702-454-3709.

Sin City Gallery: "12 Inches of Sin" and "Le Salon Des Refuses Du Peche," an international group show of works submitted to the fourth annual "12 inches of Sin" show but not selected to be one of the 12 works in that show. Visit sincitygallery.com or call 702-608-2461.

PeaceNArt Studio: "Radiant Collection," works by Alexander Huerta.

Eden Art Studio and Gallery: "Men at Work" featuring photography by Juan Cardenas of the hands of local artists mixed with UFC fighters' hands. The gallery will also be featuring the work of Eden Pastor, Justin Lepper, Recycled Propaganda and others. Visit edenartstudioandgallery.com.

17 Moons Art Studio: Assemblages by Michael Delacruz. Visit 17moons.com.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.

EKlectica Gallery: Works by Lynn Adamson Adrian, Marin Rumar and Debbie Jane Sussman. Visit tinyurl.com/eklectica or call 702-686-4010.

Reclaimed Art Suppliez: 1114 S. Casino Center Blvd. Live art demonstrations and galleries featuring work by local artists, including several who are debuting at the space this First Friday. Visit reclaimedart.org or call 702-241-8926.

City of the World: 1229 S. Casino Center Blvd. "Summer Daze," the annual juried group show featuring work celebrating summer. Visit cityoftheworld.org or call 702-409-7549.

Clay Arts Vegas: 1511 S. Main St. "Serve it Up," a nationally juried group show featuring plates, platters, bowls, casseroles and other functional tableware with an artistic flair. 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. Aug. 7. Visit facebook.com/downtownspacesdts. Confirmed activities include:

Spectral Gallery: Spectral Gallery's one-year anniversary with a print sale, live painting and giveaways. All new art by Jska Priebe and Mike & Dasha Biggs with live 3-D digital painting demonstrations.

Urizen Gallery: Closing reception for Benito Colon's "Tree Of Life" series.

Wasteland Gallery: Closing reception for "We Become Monsters" by Chris Moore.

eLearning Media Gallery: Photography of Asia.

ToyBoxx: Snarking & Scrawling Open Mic/question-and-answer session/reading from vintage porn: 7:30 p.m. Add to the Art Wall all night.

Skin City Body Painting: "Really Hot Zombies" by Jeff Lewis. Robin Slovina Barracus with body painting by Alissa Banks. David Oliveri performing live.

Live on The Stagecoach: BareFoot Rocky & Slick Nick.

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