First Friday

My First Friday
Since the massive push by the local Las Vegas political machine to improve deteriorating downtown a year and change ago, the area is becoming home to local artists and local galleries. First Friday is an event that takes place…yes you guessed it! The first Friday of every month! The concept is not a new one, this happens in a lot of metropolitan areas. I believe San Diego hosts a wimpish first something. I’ll admit I’ve received invites to attend the galleries in SD but honestly the amateurish artwork intermixed with superhuman egos always leaves me feeling empty inside. No amount of booze can fill the emptiness. I always opt for meeting up afterwards or not at all.
First Friday here in Vegas is a much more involved situation. Certain streets are shut down to provide a carnival atmosphere where all the mutants can come out and showcase their unusual means of expression. The city offers a trolley service for tourists and locals. You have to get there early or parking like I found out is a pain. I met my host for the evening at a Mexican restaurant called Casa de Don Juan, a local Mexican restaurant with above average food and a decent bar selection. Natalie was already waiting for me. When I approached she had the immediate look on her face like she had ordered rolled tacos and was mistakenly brought the Filet Mignon. Unexpected but not unwelcome very curious indeed. The people sitting next to us had ordered a massive plate of grilled chicken. I know that sounds good to the rest of you but I was fighting tidal waves of nausea at the first whiff. My host was ready to leave and I was ready to end my vomit streak!
After a quick “smoke” we headed in the general direction of the galleries. I had no idea where we were going and neither did Natalie. I began to notice that a lot of the galleries were located between E. Charleston and Wyoming. Off we went to explore our first Friday.
The galleries we passed through were a mix of furniture shops highlighting interior design and amateur “urban” art. I’m still trying to determine the whole urban art meaning. One of the galleries we visited had some great interior design concepts that on a good financial day, I would incorporate into my own living space. The art on the walls was a bit inconsistent. I began to make this known to my host. She stayed quiet and I knew right away someone was listening. The artist had been shadowing us. Shit I hate these awkward moments. I know what I want to say but I am way too twisted to really communicate on a diplomatic level. “Uh yes I really enjoy your work. Seems consistent in a very inconsistent way…nice”. He just stared at me handed me a flyer and we left. This is how it went for a while. I was doing the baton race with every gallery we went into. The artists would hand over a sheet of paper and a card. I would twist the paper up and hold it until we got to the next spot. I would then toss the baton in the garbage and get handed a new paper and card and so on. What can I say about First Friday? It is actually a really cool event for local artists. I’ll admit that type of art and the level of artistic skill were above average. Some of the artists had a theme that was consistent with everything they were showing. The urban stuff was amateurish and the artists didn’t seem to care. If they could get a couple of hundred from the older couple who only want to “get it” then why not? Some of the presentations lacked an openness; at times it felt like we were crashing a private party a couple of 18 year olds were having while Mummy and Dad were away.
The skilled Artisans were situated near a Lesbian rally disguised as a “Woman’s Awareness” show. If you guessed acoustic music with Lesbians incognito or otherwise, you guessed correctly. My host wasn’t sure what she was looking at, but I was and I didn’t care if they snatched her up and sold her to a casino. I was getting tired and wanted to go home. The artisans were displaying jewelry they claimed were: “one of a kind”. A good sales pitch if I ever heard one. The items were nice and it was good to see local weirdo’s being crazed and making money without a large corporate meat grinder waiting in the wings. The whole idea of a first Friday is a good one. Tourists who really want to see what the locals have to offer should check this event out.
My review sounds harsh and empty. I don’t reference any galleries nor artists and I won’t either because my experience here was so fast and loose. If the galleries had made more of an effort to get people into their space then perhaps names would appear. Besides it was dark and my host had a friend in need and I had a liver in need of rest. We parted ways with a nice hug goodbye and I went home and passed out.