Regular Joe’s First, “First Fridays” Dec 5thArtists and Venues – Sign Up Now! 

As we mentioned in the last issue, we’re not above stealing good ideas. Apparently there’s a lot of that going on, because I’ve found out that a lot of cities do some sort of a First Fridays Art Crawl. I don’t know who originally came up with the brainchild or who first coined the phrase, but this is a concept used successfully all over the country. We were going to try to come up with something original on our own, but the best we came up with was “Wear Your Underwear on the Outside Day.” As intriguing as that idea is, we thought maybe we’d save that promotion for warmer weather, so all the unmentionables wouldn’t be hidden by parkas and overcoats. 

First Fridays:  The idea is that artists (painters, sculptors, photographers, etc) bring their work Downtown and show it in various locations within a small walking radius. The public (that’s you!) says “What a great idea! Let’s go look at some art!” 

You go and you see some cool art. Maybe you find a nice piece to replace the “Dogs Playing Poker” over the sofa. (I know, its classic kitsch, but it’s time, really!) And then maybe you meet some friends and stop for an adult beverage, with some intelligent conversation at one of the fine establishments, which in a happy coincidence are right there, and nicely arranged for your convenience.  

Then the apple of your eye sees you walk in with art under your arm and says, “Hmmm, good looks and sophisticated too!” The next thing you know you have art in your life and maybe you’ve even left the fold out couch in Mom’s basement and gotten a place of your own. Seriously, it could happen. You’ve seen the movies! This will be exactly the kind of event where the couple always bumps in to each other in the first act. You don’t want to miss something like that do you? 

The evening kicks off at on Friday, December 5th. Artists will be set up in spaces scattered in a rectangle bordered by

Edmond and Francis Streets and 5th and 8th Streets. No more than 3 blocks in any direction. Park. Walk. Browse. Carouse. Some venues may offer some cookies or crackers. Others may open a bottle of wine. The art will be on display until in most venues, so after you’ve made your selections you’re already smack dab in the middle of the entertainment district. Aren’t we sneaky!  

And then… get this….next month….yep, we do it again. We considered waiting until spring. We do realize that December 5th has a better chance to be 6 degrees than 60, but frankly we just hate to wait for stuff. Heck, if this thing takes off like we hope it will, by spring we ought to really have something. And besides, think Christmas gifts! Do you really want to give the same old stuff again? An original piece of art tells Mom and Dad “I love you much more than any of my siblings do.” Guys, here’s a perfect chance to look for something special for your someone special. What does she like? For instance, is she crazy about angels? Or maybe puppies? (Tip: check for calendars and screen savers.) Once you find out her special thing, well you’ve got it made. A painting or sculpture with that thing in it, and you’re in pal! She’ll think you’ve been listening when she talks all along. 

And ladies, it works for you too. Imagine a tasteful nude in oils or pastels in place of the centerfold currently hanging in his home office. I know it’s only a start, but this is the path that leads to occasionally putting the toilet seat down. Trust me on this. 

If you’re an artist, call us and get involved; you’ll meet some folks and some folks will see your work. It won’t cost anything and you might sell some. 

If you own a business inside the boundaries I mentioned that would like a traffic boost and has space for an artist or two, call us. It won’t cost you anything and you might sell some of your other merchandise. 

If you’re neither of the above, then you’re the audience for this event and we’ll be expecting you. It might possibly cost you something, but only if you find something you can’t live without, and if that’s the case it will already be worth twice the price so fork it over and quitcherbellyachin’. 

Be looking for the next issue of The Joe. We’ll have a list of participants with maps, thumbnail sketches and other helpful stuff. We know it’s not an original idea, but let’s go with it. Bring your friends. It should be a blast.  

 

As we mentioned in the last issue, we’re not above stealing good ideas. Apparently there’s a lot of that going on, because I’ve found out that a lot of cities do some sort of a First Fridays Art Crawl. I don’t know who originally came up with the brainchild or who first coined the phrase, but this is a concept used successfully all over the country. We were going to try to come up with something original on our own, but the best we came up with was “Wear Your Underwear on the Outside Day.” As intriguing as that idea is, we thought maybe we’d save that promotion for warmer weather, so all the unmentionables wouldn’t be hidden by parkas and overcoats. 

First Fridays:  The idea is that artists (painters, sculptors, photographers, etc) bring their work Downtown and show it in various locations within a small walking radius. The public (that’s you!) says “What a great idea! Let’s go look at some art!” 

You go and you see some cool art. Maybe you find a nice piece to replace the “Dogs Playing Poker” over the sofa. (I know, its classic kitsch, but it’s time, really!) And then maybe you meet some friends and stop for an adult beverage, with some intelligent conversation at one of the fine establishments, which in a happy coincidence are right there, and nicely arranged for your convenience.  

Then the apple of your eye sees you walk in with art under your arm and says, “Hmmm, good looks and sophisticated too!” The next thing you know you have art in your life and maybe you’ve even left the fold out couch in Mom’s basement and gotten a place of your own. Seriously, it could happen. You’ve seen the movies! This will be exactly the kind of event where the couple always bumps in to each other in the first act. You don’t want to miss something like that do you? 

The evening kicks off at on Friday, December 5th. Artists will be set up in spaces scattered in a rectangle bordered by

Edmond and Francis Streets and 5th and 8th Streets. No more than 3 blocks in any direction. Park. Walk. Browse. Carouse. Some venues may offer some cookies or crackers. Others may open a bottle of wine. The art will be on display until in most venues, so after you’ve made your selections you’re already smack dab in the middle of the entertainment district. Aren’t we sneaky!  

And then… get this….next month….yep, we do it again. We considered waiting until spring. We do realize that December 5th has a better chance to be 6 degrees than 60, but frankly we just hate to wait for stuff. Heck, if this thing takes off like we hope it will, by spring we ought to really have something. And besides, think Christmas gifts! Do you really want to give the same old stuff again? An original piece of art tells Mom and Dad “I love you much more than any of my siblings do.” Guys, here’s a perfect chance to look for something special for your someone special. What does she like? For instance, is she crazy about angels? Or maybe puppies? (Tip: check for calendars and screen savers.) Once you find out her special thing, well you’ve got it made. A painting or sculpture with that thing in it, and you’re in pal! She’ll think you’ve been listening when she talks all along. 

And ladies, it works for you too. Imagine a tasteful nude in oils or pastels in place of the centerfold currently hanging in his home office. I know it’s only a start, but this is the path that leads to occasionally putting the toilet seat down. Trust me on this. 

If you’re an artist, call us and get involved; you’ll meet some folks and some folks will see your work. It won’t cost anything and you might sell some. 

If you own a business inside the boundaries I mentioned that would like a traffic boost and has space for an artist or two, call us. It won’t cost you anything and you might sell some of your other merchandise. 

If you’re neither of the above, then you’re the audience for this event and we’ll be expecting you. It might possibly cost you something, but only if you find something you can’t live without, and if that’s the case it will already be worth twice the price so fork it over and quitcherbellyachin’. 

Be looking for the next issue of The Joe. We’ll have a list of participants with maps, thumbnail sketches and other helpful stuff. We know it’s not an original idea, but let’s go with it. Bring your friends. It should be a blast.  

Posted by: admin on Thursday, November 13th, 2008
Filed under: Jay Kerner, General |