The First Friday gang and the City of Las Vegas are teaming up tomorrow for a giant, haute-falutin' block party, celebrating local artists. There will be all the usual gallery openings, wine in plastic cups and cheese cubes on toothpicks you've come to know and love.
But in addition, look for hizzoner Oscar Goodman to toss out the opening free First Friday T-shirt from the Colorado Street stage at 6 p.m.
Yes, "stage." Actually two of them, both needed to support the four music acts performing through the night. Killian's Angels and Bluesology will be onstage at Boulder Avenue and Main Street, and Gregg Young & The 2nd Street Band and Vista Four will be onstage at Colorado and Main streets.
Area food vendors will also be on hand, including Tinoco's Bistro, La Salsa, Quizno's, Sweet Georgia Brown, Your Place or Mine, and Euro Place Ristorante, along with beer and wine gardens.
Parking has been expanded, with valet service available near the Funk House, with an entrance on California Street, and the Arts Factory, with an entrance on Coolidge Avenue. There will also be parking available at the Clark County Government Center, at Grand Central Parkway and Bonneville Avenue. To get around, there will be a free parking shuttle bus, along with the regular, free First Friday shuttle, with stops at both activity corridors and Main Street between California and Colorado streets, Main Street and Garces Avenue near The Icehouse, and the Red Rooster Antique Mall at 1109 Western Ave. The buses run on 15-minute schedules.
And, as always, there will be the free raffle for a $50 gift certificate from the Las Vegas Premium Outlets and an annual pass for two to the Guggenheim Hermitage Museum. You can enter the drawing, one time at each location, at the Funk House, Icehouse and S2Art Center.
All activities run from 6-10 p.m. and are free, unless otherwise noted.
Cameron Grant, corner of Charleston Blvd. and Casino Center, across from the Arts Factory, hard techno DJ, 7-10 p.m.
Capital H Gallery, in the Arts Factory, Zombie Jesus exhibit by Brian Henry. Artist reception 6-10 p.m., with drinks and hors d'oeuvres. 101 E. Charleston Blvd. 696-9636.
Casa Don Juan, food and drink specials. 1202 S. Main St. 384-8070.
Chicago Joe's, food and drink specials. 820 S. Fourth St. 382-5637.
Contemporary Arts Collective, Welcome to Las Vegas international sign design exhibition. $1,000 Best of Show to be awarded at 8 p.m. Also open for First Sunday, noon-2 p.m. 101 E. Charleston Blvd. 382-3886.
Cricket Studio and Face Up Gallery, upstairs in the Arts Factory, ongoing Flatline exhibit by Dar Freeland; Drawings From The Boneyard, illuminated line drawings on paper by Brian Swanson; Vortex, digital art by Brooks Ayola. 107 E. Charleston Blvd., Suite 203. 366-9077.
Cube Gallery, upstairs in the Arts Factory, digital photography turned into modern art: ongoing showcase of work exclusively from Tony Tompkins and Christopher Scott studios. 107 E. Charleston Blvd., Suite 205. 250-5150.
D'Loe House of Style, Refreshments, open late. 220 E. Charleston Blvd. 382-5688.
Dino's, rocking, dreamy and melodic sounds of Moon Vine, 10:30 p.m.-midnight, followed by karaoke with host Danny G. 1516 Las Vegas Blvd. S. 382-3894.
Donna Beam Fine Art Gallery, Hocus Focus Manubrium master of fine arts thesis exhibition, 7-10 p.m. Food, drink and really good art for all! Alta Ham Fine Arts Building, north end of UNLV campus. 895-3893.
Dust Gallery, Working Title: Paint Draw, celebrate the new exhibit and the gallery's new location with owners Naomi Arin and Jerry Misko. 1221 S. Main St. 880-DUST.
5ive Finger Miscount, in the Arts Factory, open studio with works by graffiti and urban artists Dray, Mark Zeilman, Iceberg Slick and K.D. Matheson. 101 E. Charleston Blvd.
Florida Cafe, food and drink specials. 1401 S. Las Vegas Blvd. 385-3013.
The Funk House, Monster Vs. Monster!, layered composite paper works by shanmichael; Rape Crisis Center's clothesline project and paint-your-own-shirt table; music by The Bleachers; Balcony Lights Bookstore hosts street poets and displays vintage vinyl and record players. Local literary artists' work available. Also featuring fortune tellers, art vendors, demonstrations, performing artists and more. Save up to 50 percent on merchandise for First Friday patrons. 1228 S. Casino Center. 678-6278.
The Gypsy Caravan Antique Village, surf band The Swank Bastards, followed by Vista Four, in the parking lot, 6-10 p.m. 1302 S. Third St. 868-3302.
The Icehouse, Chez Bippy presents The Get Back, a funky soul dance party with local DJs John Doe and Johnny Boy. Begins at 10 p.m. and goes until the wee hours. $5. 650 S. Main St. 315-2570.
Iowa Cafe, Tim Torgerson, jazz guitarist, local acoustic and spoken-word artists; art by abstract photographer Lynn Janese; food, drink specials and free parking. 300 E. Charleston Blvd. 366-1882.
KD Matheson Studio, inside the Arts Factory. 103 E. Charleston Blvd.
Michael Wardle Gallery, upstairs in the Arts Factory, featuring abstract expressionist paintings, both large and small. Reception 6-10 p.m., with drinks and hors d'oeuvres. Artist's brunch and open house, noon-2 p.m., April 4. 107 E. Charleston Blvd. 383-8633.
Mike Griesgraber Studio, in the Arts Factory. Expressionist still lifes and portraits. 101 E. Charleston Blvd.
Modify, celebrating first-year anniversary with cake and food, 25 percent off selected merchandise, $25 gift certificate drawing. 8 E. Charleston Blvd. 384-6555.
Nevada Arts Council, OXS Office Exhibition Series: Mixed-media sculptures by Elaine Parks, 6-8 p.m. 821 S. Seventh St. 486-3700.
Opportunity Village Thrift Shop, serving people with mental retardation, open late, half off selected merchandise until 10 p.m. 921 S. Main St. 383-1082.
The Painted Couch, grand opening, individually designed furniture, from art deco to contemporary and modern. 6 E. Charleston Blvd. http://thepaintedcouch.com.
Red Rooster Antique Mall, featuring the art of Alex Huerta and "the next Lenny Bruce," comedian Randall Miller. Open late. 1109 Western Ave. 382-5253.
Red Yellow Blue Inc., in the Arts Factory. Open studio. 103 E. Charleston Blvd. 524-5244.
Reed Whipple Cultural Center, All Fired Up: A Contemporary Ceramics Experience, exhibiting artists include Scott Chamberlin, Christine Federighi, Tsehai Johnson, Jun Kaneko, Kirk Mangus, Deborah Masuoka, Patrick Siler, Susanne Stephanson, Xavier Toubes and Betty Woodman. Open until 9 p.m. 821 Las Vegas Blvd. North. 229-6211.
S2Art, The Picture Show, a stunning exhibition of more than 100 classic movie posters and re-created artworks from the golden age of Hollywood. 1 E. Charleston Blvd. 868-7800.
SEAT, in the Arts Factory, REEL 12 in its entirety, free 7 p.m. performance, 8:30 p.m. performance, $5. Erik Ramsey's Lions Lost in Translation, 10 p.m, $10. 101 E. Charleston Blvd. 736-4313.
Steven Spann Gallery, in the Arts Factory. Expressionist paintings. Artist reception 6-10 p.m. 101 E. Charleston Blvd. 384-3860.
Studio West Photography, upstairs in the Arts Factory. Urban Yard Sale by Debra Heiser and Victor Rodriguez of HRH A Creative Partnership. 101 E. Charleston Blvd. 383-3133.
Sunrise Art and Sculpture Gallery, in the Arts Factory. 101 E. Charleston Blvd., Suite 101. 477-7705.
Tinoco's Bistro, food and drink specials. 1756 E. Charleston Blvd. 464-5008.
Yana's Junk, refreshments, 10 percent off for First Friday patrons. 201 E. Colorado Ave. 388-0051.
Zollar Gallery, upstairs in the Arts Factory, featuring fine art paintings of Laura Zollar; also open 1-5 p.m. Fri.-Sat. and by appointment. 107 E. Charleston Blvd., Suite 202. 304-1813.
