Photos by Downtown Devil
A new academic year brings a slew of new bodies to downtown Phoenix. Lesson one of this metropolitan culture: First Friday arts walk. Students, nine-to-fivers and wandering souls all seem to accumulate in harmonious crowds along Roosevelt Row to participate in the motley combination of music, art, vendors, food and information.
The walk can be intimidating. Here is your guide, complete with trail markers to base your journey around.
Crescent Ballroom:
Music venue, restaurant, bar and lounge. Friday’s lineup includes Ladylike and Yellow Minute for $7 at the door, but Taylor Place residents can sign up for $1.50 tickets through the residence hall management. The facility boasts Cocina 10, a restaurant with Mexican-inspired menu overseen by Chris Bianco and Doug Robson. Free Funk & Soul show after midnight in the lounge for the 21+ crowd.
Location: Second Avenue and Van Buren Street
Time: Doors at 7:30 p.m. and show at 8:30 p.m.
Revolver Records:
A good starting place for the evening and arguably one of the main hubs of the event. Three bands, 20 vendors, food trucks and local artists will all make an appearance. A rare Occupy Phoenix participant might even make an appearance. The record store venue is almost a miniature First Friday within First Friday. A First Friday Inception, if you will.
Location: Second and Roosevelt streets
Ollie the Trolley:
Ollie is slightly reminiscent of storefront quarter machine rides that entertain children, except this trolley actually goes somewhere. It’s also free (always a plus) and can, at times, turn into a dance party on wheels. The trolley loops around downtown stopping at some of the night’s main events, as well as the Phoenix Art Museum and Civic Space Park. A great way to see the town.
Location: Various stops
Time: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Eye Lounge Gallery:
This alternative art space will feature photographs and interview-poems of Hurricane Katrina evacuees who left tropical-storm-ravaged Louisiana and Mississippi for bone-dry Arizona. Poet Cynthia Hogue and photographer Rebecca Ross will showcase their work, When the Water Came: Evacuees of Hurricane Katrina.
Location: Fifth and Roosevelt streets
Time: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
THINK! Gallery:
There will be break dancing, a turntable and blackbook sessions from the Mighty Zulu Kings in front of the gallery and design and print company. This event, featuring an historic group of graffiti artists and break dancers, marks the beginning of the Back to School Daze hosted by Cyphers: The Center for Urban Arts.
Location: Fifth and Roosevelt streets
Time: 7 p.m.
Phoenix Art Museum:
¡Salsa Y Salsa! Salsa in the forms of dancing and food. Live performances by Carlos Rivas y Mex-Sal, salsa dancing and lessons by Dance Time Studios in the Great Hall. Music wafting through the corridors should provide a nice viewing environment for the museum’s artwork from all over the world. A short light rail ride from the festivities off Roosevelt Street, the Phoenix Art Museum is free on First Friday.
Location: McDowell Road and Central Avenue
Time: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Contact the reporters at domenico.nicosia@asu.edu
