By Maxfield Barker and Domenico Nicosia
Every month, thousands of visitors venture to downtown Phoenix for First Fridays. With much of the traffic taking place on Roosevelt Street between Seventh and Third streets, the area has become affectionately known as “Roosevelt Row.”
First Friday is the nation’s largest self-guided art walk. Filled with art galleries, music venues and business venders, the event draws thousands of guests to Roosevelt Row every month. But as downtown Phoenix continues to grow its artistic culture, there are other destinations that require patrons to take the road less traveled.
In addition to Roosevelt Row, First Friday caters to other art districts such as Grand Avenue and Melrose, Artlink Interim President Mike Oleskow said.
“Everyone kind of focuses on Roosevelt, but it isn’t just Roosevelt for First Fridays, and if you have not gone beyond, you’re missing a great deal of art,” he said. Doing so could lead to the discovery of new neighborhoods, galleries and businesses.
Directly across Central Avenue from the Walter Cronkite School is the A.E. England Gallery, which will be showing Artlink’s 14th Annual Juried Exhibition this First Friday. The exhibit presents the work of 10 prominent Arizona artists.
“All pieces in this exhibition were selected by a panel of jurors from the local art community,” Angelica Jubran-Bishara, director and curator of the exhibit, said in an email. “Artlink Phoenix continues to organize its Annual Juried Exhibition as an opportunity for local artists to exhibit their work.”
Aside from art galleries, live music and venues play a big role off of Roosevelt during First Fridays. Let’s take a look at what’s happening off the row.
ART
A.E. England Gallery – Central Avenue between Van Buren and Fillmore streets:
Artlink presents the 14th annual Juried Art Exhibition. Prominent members of the Arizona art community will be judging 10 talented local artists’ work, including sculpture, painting, photography and drawing.
Heritage Square – Washington and Seventh streets:
Artist Chad Belote’s exhibit “Smoke and Curtains,” is a tribute to the individual. Through painting, Belote’s work will “seek to reconcile the diverse aspects of history and thought, and achieve a coherent truth.” Gallery is open from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Bragg’s Pie Factory – Grand and Thirteenth avenues:
Glass Phoenix will be hosting an exhibit of eight of the Valley’s finest glass artists. The event will take place from 6 p.m. until 11 p.m.
Goings Galleria – McKinley and Fourth streets:
Goings Gallery is currently showing the work of Michelle Goings, co-owner and artist. The works consist mainly of abstract acrylic on canvas.
MUSIC
Crescent Ballroom – Van Buren Street and Second Avenue:
The Where’s the Band? tour will be making a stop at Phoenix’s Crescent Ballroom. The tour headlines rising bands’ artists in a solo setting. This year will include Bayside’s Anthony Raneri and Matt Pryor of The Get Up Kids. Come see these pop-punk headliners get all personal and acoustic. Doors open for this all ages event at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $14-$16 and are available at Stinkweeds record shop on Central and Camelback or online.
Conspire – Garfield and Fifth streets:
With three different types of music, multiple vendors and vegan food, what does Conspire not have? In the front of the venue, Flock Productions will be broadcasting live with disc jockeys. On the opposite side of the musical spectrum, Conspire will be featuring folk artists Brandon and Lindsey in the middle of the house. If your music tastes are still not satisfied, pop/punk bands Fourth Wave and Requiem should curb the craving.
The Rhythm Room — Indian School Road and 10th Street:
Feelin’ a little blue this Friday? If so, head down to The Rhythm Room to get your jazz fix. Bad News Blues Band will be performing with special guest roadhouse blues master Long John Hunter. The doors open at 8 p.m. and tickets are available for $8.
Contact the reporters at maxfield.barker@asu.edu and domenico.nicosia@asu.edu
