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December’s First Friday to bring ‘Fantasia’ downtown

The First Friday arts festival is scheduled from 5 to 11 p.m. Dec. 6 at venues throughout the 18b Arts District in downtown Las Vegas. Admission is free, and free parking with shuttle service is available at the Clark County Government Center, 500 S. Grand Central Parkway. A shuttle also leaves from Sixth Street across from the El Cortez valet entrance. Live entertainment, artists’ booths, food vendors and more are planned.

The theme for December’s First Friday is “Fantasia,” including live music featured in the classic Disney film. The welcome tent on Casino Center Boulevard south of Charleston Boulevard is set to be transformed into the Nutcracker Suite by Nevada Ballet Theatre. Dancers from the ballet plan to perform selections from “The Nutcracker” and teach ballet steps to attendees.

Performances on multiple stages are planned in the area north of Charleston Boulevard, and Star Nursery is set to create an enchanted forest where the attendees can create ornaments to decorate the surrounding trees.

Art Row on Casino Center Boulevard between Colorado Avenue and Charleston Boulevard is set to include artists and craft booths in The Bazaar, and Green Street is slated to offer booths concerning sustainable energy. All-ages classes by Social Paintbrush are scheduled at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. The KidZone, scheduled from 5 to 9 p.m, is set to include a firetruck and fire safety discussion, dance lessons from Kravenko Dance Academy and photos with Kris Kringle.

Many galleries and venues are set to sell smaller, less expensive items and works in December to purchase for the gift giving season.

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

Many downtown art galleries also open from 6 to 8 p.m. for Preview Thursday.

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

Downtown Contemporary art gallery in Art Square, 1025 S. First St., is set to show “Portraits Through Books,” by Walter Jacques Taieb. Visit downtown-contemporary.com.

303 North Studio in The Arts Factory, 107 E. Charleston Blvd., is set to show works by James Henninger, including encaustic portraits of The Beatles. Visit 303northstudio.tumblr.com or call 702-742-6241.

Joseph Watson Gallery in The Arts Factory, 107 E. Charleston Blvd., is set to show paintings and prints by Joseph Watson. Visit josephwatsoncollection.com or call 858-733-2135.

Jana’s Red Room in The Arts Factory, 107 E. Charleston Blvd., is set to show small works by local artists, including Kim Johnson and Nancy Good. Visit janasredroom.com or call 702-454-3709.

Sin City Gallery in The Arts Factory, 107 E. Charleston Blvd., is set to show “Neon Metropolis,” by Anthony Bondi. Visit sincitygallery.com or call 702-608-2461.

The Trifecta Gallery in The Arts Factory, 107 E. Charleston Blvd., is set to show “Over and Under,” stacked, woven and sliced plastic drawings by Philip Denker and a studio sale featuring works by Marty Walsh. Visit trifectagallery.com or call 702-366-7001.

The Contemporary Arts Center has moved to a new location, 1217 S. Main St., and is set to show “Sampler: Las Vegas,” an exhibition curated by Matthew Couper featuring a vintage cross-stitch sampler on loan from the Clark County Museum alongside work by participating artists. Visit lasvegascac.org or call 702-496-0569.

The Brett Wesley Gallery, 1112 S. Casino Center Blvd., is set to show “Paradise,” paintings by Kristine McCallister. Visit brettwesleygallery.com or call 702-433-4433.

Blackbird Studios, 1551 S. Commerce St., is set to show “Dr. Seuss, A Tribute,” a juried show featuring works by more than 30 artists. Visit blackbirdstudioslv.com or call 702-782-0319.

City of the World, 1229 S. Casino Center Blvd., is set to show “Artists for Autism Celebrate Las Vegas Skateboard Project,” featuring art on skateboards by 175 artists. Visit cityoftheworld.org or call 702-409-7549.

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