Celebrate Friday Night Fever with Las Vegas’ ’70s-themed First Friday
The First Friday arts festival is scheduled from 5 to 11 p.m. Sept. 2 at venues throughout the downtown 18b Las Vegas Arts District, 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 are 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 vehicles may be subject to towing. The foundation has partnered with Lyft and has planned a drop-off and pick-up point on Coolidge Avenue and First Street.
The event is set to include artists, the artisan bazaar, food trucks, music and a live painting exhibition. The theme for this month’s event is Friday Night Fever with a celebration of the 1970s. Attendees are encouraged to dress in theme. The streets surrounding the block that includes Art Square, 1025 S. First St., are set to close for tents and trucks with food, art and music, including Ray and The Forget Me Nots on the main stage, a dance party with Epyk, Rocky Peoples Trio, Luck Factor Zero and the live drum circle provided by Community Productions.
The Farmers Market is set to return this month with Chris Palmeri from Naked City Pizza demonstrating some of his recipes.
California Avenue from Main to Third Street is also set to be closed, and Youth Outdoor Unity is set to have children’s activities and art at City of the World and more food trucks.
Although the main events are scheduled at the district, the organizers note that First Friday exists all over downtown Las Vegas and has expanded to the Fremont East area before and after each First Friday event with arts, crafts, bands, and food and drink specials.
For information, visit ffflv.org.
Preview Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 1 offers a more low-key event. The preview presents an opportunity to see many of the galleries and shows before the Friday crowds.
Galleries planning to participate in September’s First Friday include:
The Arts Factory, 107 E. Charleston Blvd.
First Floor
— 303 North Studio. Works by artist James Henninger. Visit tinyurl.com/303north or call 702-742-4021.
— 17 Moons Art Studio: Assemblages by Michael Delacruz in the gallery’s new, larger space on the first floor. Visit 17moons.com or call 702-245-7725.
— Jana’s RedRoom: The inaugural Las Vegas International Juried Art Competition features artists from 35 U.S. states and Puerto Rico and 11 countries. Work was chosen by nine jurors from across the country. The show is set to feature work by Denise Weaver Ross, Leanna Carlson, Beth Bishop, Tristyn Bustamante, Bruce Matlaf, Peng Liu, Michael Volpicelli, Monika Capol, Seda Saar, Sheridee Hopper, Kimberly Blake, Dean Oliverio, Robert MacPherson, Jane Wise, Kathryn Gilbert, Jason Levi, Jeff Knox, John Sluder, Joanne DeLomba, Deborah Rubin, Scott Laga, Jeff Davis, Nina Rizzo, Sharon Cahn and Audrey Fox. Visit janasredroom.com or call 702-454-3709.
— Joseph Watson Gallery: New and classic works by Joseph Watson. Visit josephwatsoncollection.com or call 858-733-2135.
— Perception Gallery: Photography by Lucy S. Wu and John Wright. Visit perceptiongallery.com, or call Wu at 702-525-9517 or Wright at 702-285-6283.
— Sin City Gallery: “Adolescence” works by Ali Fathollahi. Visit sincitygallery.com or call 702-608-2461.
— Wonderland Gallery: “Bittersweet Nothings” by Roxy B. Montoya, “Tiny Little Beetle Bugs” by Ashleigh Popplewell, and work by resident artists Lynne Adamson Adrian, Kat Tatz, Lisa Herr, Lincoln Maynard and Kat Anderson. Visit tinyurl.com/wlgart or call 702-686-4010.
Second Floor
— The Corner Gallery: Works by pyrographic artist Lynne Jordan, Native American-themed work by Sandra Piilo and Maria von Volborth. Also featuring special guest artist Clem Ziroli, with his colorful new body of work, “Around the World.” Meet the artists on Preview Thursday from 6 to 10 p.m. Visit lasvegascornergallery.com or call 702-501-9219.
— MacSual Studio: Color play painting on clothing and accessories by Sheridee Hopper. A raffle for some of the works is planned. The work will be on display and for sale only on First Fridays. Visit tinyurl.com/macsual or call 512-663-8115.
— SaVx Gallery: New works by Steve Anthony, Victor Xiu and guest artists Angelica Salazar and Susan Hazelton Arner. Visit Facebook.com/savxgallery or call 702-540-9331.
Art Square, 1025 S. First St.
— The Nevada Humanities Program Gallery: “Transcribing Nevada,” an invitational exhibition of Nevada artists and poets sharing selections from their sketchbooks and journals. An opening reception is scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m. with a gallery talk at 7 p.m. Sept. 1. Visit nevadahumanities.org or call 702-800-4670.
— Nevada Light Gallery: Photography by AJ Pagano and Nick Percell. Visit nevadalightgallery.com or call 702-523-5306.
Other Galleries
— UV Gallery, 1007 S. Main St.: Metal art by Brenna Curry, large oil on canvas entertainers series by Jerry Blank, acrylic on canvas abstracts by Christine Binns, stainless steel sculptures by Chris O’Rourke, assemblage sculpture and more by Michael Davies, photography by John Rohling, time delay montage and ink metallic photography by Armand Thomas, paper cutout by Christina Russo, scenic pointillism by Clint Cearley, works from the embellished musician series by Ryan Rabbass, street art including works from the “Felipe” and “Clusterpop” series by Juan Muniz, carved and airbrushed palm frond sculptures and hand embellished canvas prints by Tankbilt, works including “Cuban Life” on ceramic framed tile, woodcut portraits and acrylic on canvas abstracts by Wilson Posasda and works from the “Pop” series by 8-bit. Visit uvgallery.com or call 702-843-3061.
— City of the World, 1229 S. Casino Center Blvd.: “5 Lines and A Dot!” Experience spontaneous expression with the artists of City of the World as they take on the challenge of a covering the main gallery walls with art. Visitors are invited to pay $10 to make their mark on Preview Thursday and First Friday. The large-scale drawing is on display through September. Visit cityoftheworldlasvegas.org or call 702-523-5306.
— Clay Arts Vegas, 1511 S. Main St.: Figurative and functional work by Robert Lawarre. Lawarre is scheduled to teach a workshop Oct. 8 and 9. Visit clayartsvegas.com or call 702-375-4147.
To reach East Valley View reporter F. Andrew Taylor, email ataylor@viewnews.com or call 702-380-4532.
