First Friday to celebrate diversity

The First Friday arts festival is scheduled from 5 to 11 p.m. May 1 at venues throughout the 18b Arts District, near the intersection of Charleston Boulevard and Main Street. Live entertainment, artists’ booths, food vendors and more are planned. Admission is free, and a free shuttle service is available from 4:30 to 11:30 p.m. The open-top shuttles make a loop stopping at the Downtown Container Park, 707 Fremont St., the Arts District Hub at the corner of Colorado Avenue and Main Street and the El Cortez, 600 Fremont St. The El Cortez stop is on Sixth Street across from the valet parking entrance. Paid parking is available at the city of Las Vegas Llama Lot, 902 Fremont St. Parking is also available for $3 at Symphony Park at the southwest corner of The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, 361 Symphony Park Ave. On-street and paid parking are available close to the event, but spaces fill up early.

The event features several special areas, including a KidZone; Green Street, which focuses on environmentally friendly products and practices; the Hub Stage; and the Artisan Bazaar, which showcases artists and craftspeople.

This month, First Friday is set to celebrate Las Vegas’ cultural diversity with the theme One World Through Art. Organizers hope to emphasize the established inclusiveness of the event by inviting groups from all religions, cultures, races, genders and sexual orientations for an evening of mutual respect and understanding. The event is to be presented by Best Buddies Nevada and sponsored by the Jewish Federation. Members of the Sikh community, the Metropolitan Police Department, the Anti-Defamation League, the Muslim community, Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada, the Ethiopian Coptic Christian community and the Baha’i International community are set to attend.

Artist Ruzo Logic plans to continue the Guerrilla Kage Art project, which brings artists from UNLV, the Las Vegas Academy of Arts and others to paint panel art.

Although the main events are scheduled in the 18b Arts District, organizers said First Friday exists all over downtown Las Vegas. For information on shuttle services, artists, music and more, visit firstfridaylasvegas.com.

Preview Thursday is planned from 6 to 9 p.m. April 30 and offers a more low-key event.

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

THE ARTS FACTORY, 107 E. CHARLESTON BLVD.

— Jana’s Red Room: “Good Enough to Eat,” paintings by Paula Billups in the main gallery; and small works by local artists in the salon gallery. Visit janasredroom.com or call 702-454-3709.

— Sin City Gallery: “Rub Sweat & Smears,” work by JP Rakehorn, the Best in Show winner of the third annual 12 Inches of Sin show. Visit sincitygallery.com or call 702-608-2461.

— Peace N Art Studio: Ink painting on rice paper by Lee Sik Lin; and “Vintage Urban Space,” works by Alexander Huerta.

— Eden Art Studio and Gallery: “Sex, Bluefin, and Smart Phones,” work by Edward Fletcher; and the work of Eden Pastor, Justin Lepper, Shye, Moakley, Recycled Propaganda, Daniel Miller, Brooks Peterson and Jeff Knox Mark Goddard. Visit facebook.com/edenartstudioandgallery.

— 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.

— Dray Studio & Gallery: “Year of the Buddha,” featuring more than 100 paintings of Buddha that artist Dray created in the last year. Visit instagram.com/draydizzle1 or call 415-748-0713.

— Eklectica Gallery: Works by Lynn Adamson Adrian, Bill Fravel and Debbie Jane Sussman. Visit tinyurl.com/eklectica or call 702-686-4010.

DOWNTOWN SPACES, 1800 INDUSTRIAL ROAD

Downtown Spaces plans to celebrate First Friday from 6 to 10 p.m. Visit dtspaces.com for details. Confirmed activities include:

— Wasteland Gallery: Opening reception for “Stick It To The Man,” featuring new, sticker-inspired work by Recycled Propaganda.

— Spectral Gallery: Continuing work by Jska Priebe and Mike and Dasha Biggs, with live 3-D digital painting demonstrations.

— Ortego’s Juniper Gallery: “Collage for Kids,” a free, family-friendly interactive art activity.

— Urizen Gallery: Closing reception for Tony Castillo’s “Board’Ems” art show.

— Skin City Body Painting: Art exhibit and body paint demo by Niki Sands; and live body paint demo by Robin Slonina.

OTHER GALLERIES

— Brett Wesley Gallery in Art Square, 1025 S. First St.: “RAW,” monochromatic photographs by Dusty Fruend. Visit brettwesleygallery.com or call 702-433-4433.

— R. Cline Gallery, 8 E. Charleston Blvd.: “The Unmasking,” photography by Nancy Good; and photography by Stefan Hagen. Visit tinyurl.com/rcline or call 702-577-8627.

— Reclaimed Art Suppliez, 1114 S. Casino Center Blvd.: Paintings by featured artist Jef Logan; music by comedy lounge act Clever Band Name; and live art demonstrations and galleries featuring work by local artists. Visit reclaimedart.org or call 702-241-8926.

— City of the World, 1229 S. Casino Center Blvd.: “Family Matters,” a group show featuring work by parents and their children. Visit cityoftheworld.org or call 702-409-7549.

— Clay Arts Vegas, 1511 S. Main St.: “Crave the Cup,” a nationally juried group show featuring sculptural and functional cups and goblets. Visit clayartsvegas.com or call 702-375-4147.

— Blackbird Studios, 1551 S. Commerce St.: “String Theory: Explorations in Fiber as Art” by Lynne Adamson Adrian; and work by Las Vegas Academy of the Arts students. Visit blackbirdstudioslv.com or call 702-782-0319.

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