Film fun on track for March First Friday arts festival

The First Friday arts festival is scheduled from 5 to 11 p.m. Feb. 7 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 of this month’s event is Cinema Paradiso, featuring music from popular movie soundtracks and filmmaking activities.

First Friday organizers invite Las Vegas filmmakers to participate in a First Friday film competition, which is set to culminate at April’s event. Cinematographers can submit a three- to five-minute film with the theme “Secrets of First Friday,” all shot during the March festival. Submissions must emailed by March 14 to contact@firstfridaylasvegas.com.

The Las Vegas-Clark County Library District is set to offer a TechArt Studio program to teach teens the basics of filmmaking. The program is set to offer teens the opportunity to create a short film on the spot at the corner of Casino Center Boulevard and California Avenue.

This month also marks the launch of First Friday’s guest curator program. Industry Supporting Industry has gathered works from underground artists to showcase throughout the festival.

Art Row on Casino Center Boulevard between Colorado Avenue and Charleston Boulevard is set to include artists and craft booths in The Bazaar. All-ages classes by Social Paintbrush are scheduled at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.

Green Street, a section of the festival dedicated to sustainable art and activities, is set to be transformed into a drive-in picnic area with a grass lawn, concessions and a nostalgic drive-in vibe featuring a screening of the movie musical “Grease.”

The KidZone, scheduled to operate from 5 to 9 p.m., is set to introduce Lug Vegas, a Lego building competition featuring art pieces made from Legos. Paws for Friendship Las Vegas is set to return with ferrets for kids to play with, and the Kravenko Dance Academy plans to offer free lessons. The Animal Foundation is also slated to bring in adoptable animals.

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 March’s First Friday include:

Jana’s Red Room in The Arts Factory, 107 E. Charleston Blvd., is scheduled to show Blending Contrasts, a collaborative show of eight new works featuring Lisa Fields Clark’s glass mosaics based on acrylic paintings by Bodlar Deathbringer. Visit janasredroom.com or call 702-454-3709.
R Space in The Arts Factory, 107 E. Charleston Blvd., is set to show There Was Whiskey on Sunday and Tears on Our Cheeks, an exhibit of Irish-themed art by gallery members. Visit facebook.com/rspacestudio or call 858-733-2135.
Sin City Gallery in The Arts Factory, 107 E. Charleston Blvd., is slated to show Myths and Muses by Jeff Wack through March 15. Visit sincitygallery.com or call 702-608-2461.
The Trifecta Gallery in The Arts Factory, 107 E. Charleston Blvd., is set to show Indra’s Jewels, manipulated photography by Jim Stanford, featuring images of classic Las Vegas signs. A book of work from the show is set to be available for purchase. Visit trifectagallery.com or call 702-366-7001.
The Brett Wesley Gallery in Art Square, 1025 S. First St., is set to show The Remix, a selection of work from previous shows. Visit brettwesleygallery.com or call 702-433-4433.
Reclaimed Art Suppliez, 1114 S. Casino Center Blvd., plans a grand opening celebration featuring poetry, live music and artists. Visit reclaimedart.org or call 702-241-8926.
The Contemporary Arts Center, 1217 S. Main St., is set to feature the 10th anniversary show of VOICE, a Clark County School District secondary arts juried competition that offers cash awards and a gallery experience to high school artists. A reception and awards ceremony are scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. March 14. For more on the show, visit voice-ccsd.com. For more on the gallery, visit lasvegascac.org or call 702-496-0569.
City of the World, 1229 S. Casino Center Blvd., is set to show Earth to Toni, paintings by Toni Sheltren. Visit cityoftheworld.org or call 702-409-7549.
Clay Arts Vegas, 1511 S. Main St., is set to show Open House, an exhibition of functional ceramic bird houses. Visit clayartsvegas.com or call 702-375-4147.
Amanda Harris Gallery of Contemporary Art, 900 Las Vegas Blvd. South, is set to show Avant Kitsch, photography by Kent Anderson Butler. Visit amandaharrisgallery.com or call 702-769-6036.