LAS VEGAS – August 28, 2023 – First Friday Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, announces that the Sept. 1 First Friday celebrates ‘Soulful September,’ and helps launch National Suicide Prevention Month with a Cold Dip in one of three cold plunge tubs poolside at The English Hotel.
The art walk area on Boulder Avenue and First Street will feature an estimated sixty First Friday artists and craftspeople.
Key elements for this month include:
- Hours of Operation – 5:00 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- First Friday Footprint – The Art Walk is on Boulder Ave. in front of the Arts Factory and on 1st Street. The food garden and bar are in the Art Square parking lot.
- COVID-19 Requests – Guests are asked to be mindful of others. There are no mask requirements or social distancing requirements currently. First Friday will continue with its program of sanitation and asks guests to continue washing/sanitizing their hands.
- First Friday’s Featured Artist – Soul Artist Cara is featured. Cara is a local, self-taught artist whose work is experimental focusing on women and nature. She uses many media, ranging from charcoal, watercolor, pencil, acrylic to, most frequently, oil. In 2023, her work is often shown at Hey Maker located at Ferguson’s Downtown.
- First Friday Cold Dip for Mental Health – Freezin’ for a Reason – Kicking off National Suicide Prevention Month, First Friday and The ENGLiSH Hotel are holding a Cold Plunge to help create awareness. Attendees are challenged to take a dip into one of three cold plunge tubs poolside at the hotel and then post on their social media to create awareness of the importance of Suicide Prevention. First Friday artists will be painting live around the pool. 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at The ENGLiSH Hotel.
- Cindy Funkhouser Residency Space – Cindy was the primary founder of First Friday and we honor her with a monthly space given for free to a local artist – Mandalas Store for September.
- First Friday Summer Residency – Two featured artists, Dray and LaRON Emcee, will have showings at the First Friday studio, 1025 S First St., Suite 170 (new showings for every First Friday). September is the final month of the residency.
- Honda Paint-A-Car – attendees are invited to help paint a Honda at the September First Friday.
- Live Painting – Several artists, including Malachi Williams (@watchsparrow painting), paint live throughout the footprint – also, attendees can take part in interactive murals.
- Plant-Based Plaza – Opened last month and now ongoing. Located in the new mural park across from the English Hotel, this area hosts plant-based food tents and trucks, live mural painting, Girl Scout activities for families, nutritional education and fresh farm foods.
- Entertainment – Main Stage features local musicians starting at 5:00 p.m. See www.ffflv.org for more information. Three stages in September.
- Food Trucks – Over twenty favorite gourmet food trucks will be featured in the food garden.
- Other arts district art galleries, restaurants, bars and other retail businesses are open for First Friday.
- Roadwork
- Expect street improvements that will delay traffic throughout the coming months. However, we look forward to the beautiful improvements in the area.
- Parking Info:
- Parking Options: Online Information
- The city paid Parking Lot (only $6) located at 500 S. Main Street will be open with free shuttle drop off at Hoover and 1st.
- Ride share drop off also located on Hoover and 1st
- Event onsite parking for $25 at 902 Casino Center corner of Hoover and Casino Center
- IMPORTANT INFORMATION RE PARKING: *** First Friday is only operating parking in the streets immediately surrounding the festival on 1st Street and Coolidge. These spaces are available for $25 cash at the check-in tents. We are NOT operating in any of the vacant lots in the area for parking. There have been reports of people directing people to these lots and collecting money to park there. Do NOT Park in any of these lots – you risk being towed. Please notify us if someone approaches you about parking in one of the nearby vacant lots or you see this happening. Thank you! *** The First Friday Foundation and its partners are not responsible for any damage or theft to your vehicle or belongings while at the event.
The First Friday Foundation will post updates and special offers on scheduled First Friday events and other programming through its social media channels – on Facebook at www.facebook.com/firstfridaylasvegas and Twitter @FirstFridayLV. The website, www.ffflv.org, is active and applications for artists and vendors are currently being accepted.
SEPTEMBER 1ST FIRST FRIDAY HIGHLIGHTS:
- Alternative to driving to the event:
- Downtown Loop provides transportation throughout downtown and to First Friday during the event.
- Art Style: Emerging and established artists, craftspeople. Interactive painting for those who want to explore their own creativity. Artists in tents at the event and in the many galleries surrounding the event.
- Art Walk 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. highlights work by primarily local artists. Check out the artists’ booths at the event and be sure to stop in the many galleries in the arts district – Arts Factory, Art Square, along Main Street.
- Family fun – there is always something fun for the whole family on First Friday. In August, there are several interactive community art projects throughout the footprint.
- Music – From 5:00 p.m. local talent will be featured throughout the night. Check www.ffflv.org for details.
- Food & Drink – 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. Explore the many options for your taste buds as the First Friday culinary experience is back in full force with delicious options from the many food trucks, artisan food vendors and restaurants throughout the First Friday footprint and the entire arts district.
