12:40pm | It’s the first Friday of the month, and that can only mean that tonight the North Long Beach neighborhood of Bixby Knolls will host dozens of artists, musicians and other performers for their monthly aptly-named festival, First Fridays. Tonight’s event runs from 6:30-10:00pm.
Tonight’s edition of First Fridays promises to be one of the biggest and most unique in its history, a good sign for the success of the event especially after recent controversies surrounding a similar event in Los Angeles. After several years of throwing monthly art festivals that consistently drew tens of thousands to downtown Los Angeles and its businesses, Downtown Art Walk seems to be on its last legs and this month’s event (Oct. 14) may be the final one until January at best.
First Fridays has always used the Downtown Art Walk as a kind of template, but while one falters the other is only gaining more momentum. Not only will First Fridays tonight feature the regular ho-hum collection of incredible local musicians and artists, it’s also the kick-off event for GLOBAL (Greater Long Beach Arts Lab) that will celebrate the city’s diverse arts and culture scene during the entire month. It’s the kind of strong partnership that forms bonds between local organizations and only bodes well for the success of both GLOBAL and First Fridays in the future.
There will be plenty of live music lining Atlantic Avenue, such as the Paul & Co. saxophone quarter playing outside the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association, renowned pianist Omar performing outside Cafe Bixby & Pizza and DJ Dubsone spinning vinyl outside Nino’s Italian Restaurant.
The art of Alex Rios will also be exhibited outside Nino’s (click here for this week’s interview with Rios), with the photography of Mark Trask displayed outside Averyboo Arts and a fantastic “Body Art” exhibit created by 18 local artists at the Gallery Expo.
There’s plenty more going on, and of course plenty of delicious food and drink to be had along one of Long Beach’s most vibrant arts districts. Check out FirstFridaysLongBeach.com for more information. See you out there!