First Friday a first in many ways

More art.

More music.

More food.

More time.

And if all of that isn't enough, how about the peace of mind that comes from knowing your car won't get towed?

That is what the new coordinators of First Friday are bringing -- and promising -- for their first show from 6 p.m. to midnight Friday. The old event ended at 10 p.m.

This First Friday is the first that the new owners -- all Zappos executives -- will put on since they bought it in September from Whirlygig Inc. That nonprofit was founded by Cindy Funkhouser, who will stay on to help with the transition.

Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh, partner Fred Mossler, developer Andrew Donner and marketer Joey Vanas bought First Friday more to ensure that it continues as a downtown Arts District mainstay than to turn a profit, according to comments Vanas made to the Review-Journal last month.

This First Friday also is the ninth anniversary of the event.

Parking, the cause of major headaches for attendees during an event last spring, has more than doubled in space.

In May, more than 100 cars were towed from a pair of private lots, sparking controversy and angering attendees who had to pay $305 to reclaim their vehicles. The towing company later refunded the fees, but the damage was done.

The lesson? Don't park in any parking lot -- even empty ones -- that have signs warning that illegally parked cars will be towed.

This time, free parking will be available at the Stratosphere; the City Hall parking garage on Stewart Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard; and the Clark County Government Center, 500 Grand Central Parkway.

Free shuttles will take attendees from those sites to the Casino Center Hub or Fremont Street East, also part of the event.

"We want to slowly expand the event to appeal and attract a wider audience," managing partner Vanas said in an email. "With these new arenas, we are opening up the festival to give emerging artists a larger platform to display their work and to provide the community with an easier way to maneuver through whichever type of art and entertainment they're attracted to."

Fremont Street East will feature urban and street artists while the Casino Center Hub -- in the downtown Arts District at Casino Center Boulevard and Colorado Avenue -- will have emerging artists, arts and crafts.

Several acts and DJs are scheduled to perform starting at 6 p.m. on three stages, with rock, jazz, funk and jam music.

Artists and musicians who want to take part in future First Fridays can email FirstFridayLV@gmail.com.

Contact Doug McMurdo at dmcmurdo@reviewjournal. com or 702-224-5512.