What's the big deal this month?
It's the October birthday celebration as First Friday turns two. This month could be the biggest gathering to date: Colorado Avenue will be closed off to vehicles from Third Street to Main, and a sound stage will play host to Mayor Oscar Goodman as he gives an opening address at 6 p.m., and will be followed onstage by the Pacific Arts Collective, with music, poets, a DJ and even a dancer.
Click
here for a map of the Las Vegas Arts District.
Why is First Friday and the arts district important to Vegas?
"My theory is that the arts district is part of the maturation of the city," says Dale Erquiaga, chairman of the Las Vegas Arts Commission. "All big cities go through a process where the urban core is created and dies, and then arts is used as a redevelopment tool. First Fridays provide a critical mass of people that Downtown doesn't otherwise get. Similar events are used in other cities ... It takes businesses and arts working together."
What kind of people turn out for First Fridays?
"We have everything from people who bring their kids every month, up to people in their 80s from the 'burbs," says Cindy Funkhouser, founder of First Fridays and owner of the Funk House antique store. "One night I saw a whole family drawing chalk art out front, and they were joined by a 75-year-old man in a suit."
So it's not a cadre of elitists who'll make us feel culturally inept?
"No," said Funkhouser. "This is not going to be one of those snobby things, because that just doesn't work for me."
Can anyone display their art at First Friday, or have organizers rejected some artists?
"Eventually, it may be juried because of the amount of people that want to show their stuff, but not yet," Funkhouser says. "They [artists] do have to come down and commit to it. And we do stick with art, we don't want crafts. And it's not a flea market. It's art."
How many typically attend First Fridays?
Upwards of 3,000.
Are there big art galleries or is it mostly independents?
"We have individuals, and a few larger galleries that have several artists," says Funkhouser. "The Godt-Cleary is opening, and they're a pretty important major gallery. We've got Dust Gallery, which has a variety of artists. The Contemporary Arts Collective has a variety of artists. Most of the others are individual artists." Don't forget to check out the shops such as D'Loe's House of Style and the Painted Couch, and visit the afterparties at Dino's and The Ice House.
Is theater an important component to the arts district?
"Yes," says Funkhouser. "Asylum has a small production, and we would love to see other theater groups down here." Also, check out live performance art at SEAT—Social Experimentation and Absurd Theater in the Arts Factory. Performances by the Test Market theater group include full-length, often avant-garde plays, vicious stunts and cheeky striptease.
How is the Vegas Arts District different from other cities' arts districts in terms of offerings, and in the time it's taking to develop?
"Well, it's going to be a little different because it's Vegas, so we'll have some flashier things," Funkhouser says. "But I see the possibility that we're growing even faster than in other cities. In the last year, we've seen 15 arts-related businesses open down here. We're pretty excited about that. And when the Soho Lofts is finished, we expect more growth." Soho Lofts is a 240-foot tower under construction on North Charleston; homes start at $400,000.
"The city is fighting this redevelopment battle on a number of fronts," Erquiaga says. "All of this is a part of Las Vegas growing up. I predict that in three to five years, it's going to look very different down there ..."
Would organizers freak if franchise shops moved in to the arts district—like, say, a Starbucks?
"I'm not necessarily opposed to Starbucks, but I'd certainly like to see an independent coffee house," Funkhouser says. "But we're going to see a lot of upscale modern lighting stores come around with the opening of the Furniture Mart, and that's great. Herman Miller's opened in the Holsum Bread building. That's great. We're pretty much open."
Erquiaga adds, "It's tough for independents in this market. Eventually, like any real city, we'll have both [chain] retail and independents."
What's with the new gaming sponsor? Will this be a regular arrangement? Isn't this supposed to be the antithesis of casino life?
"We're not necessarily looking for gaming companies, but for sponsors every month. Barrick donated $5,000 that will all go to promotion," Funkhouser says. "Barrick is not trying to control it, and the city does not control it, they leave it up to us. ... We have a deal with a different business in the works for November. ... We're open to all sponsors, if it's an individual, that's great. But businesses stand to benefit from the advertising."
Is the success of First Fridays today what founders expected when they started this two years ago?
"I never really had any expectations that there'd be 3,000 to 5,000 people here on First Fridays," Funkhouser says. "It's growing on its own. It's been really an organic, grassroots project, which is the best kind."
What's on the arts district's wish list?
"I'd like to see live-work spaces for artists in a price range they can afford," Funkhouser says. "And I'd like to see more cafés and bookstores. And I'd like the monorail to be finished—that's going to bring people. And more street lighting. "
Where shall we park?
"You can park in the government center, there's a free shuttle starting at 6 p.m," Funkhouser says. "There's a well-lit parking lot behind the Iowa Café. There's street parking on Main north of Charleston, the meters are suspended after 5."