First Friday

If you're an art fan around the Philadelphia area, you've probably heard of Friday after 5 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Now let me introduce to you today the other place to be on a Friday night once a month in Philadelphia's historic Old City neighborhood. I speak of First Friday which is on, you guessed it, the first Friday of every month. It's when all the galleries mostly on 2nd and 3rd streets from Spring Garden to Market open their doors for art openings, wine and beer, hors d'oeuvres and snacks, and one big artsy get-together.

The Place To Be

This event, started in 1991 after Wilmington, Delaware began theirs a couple years earlier, offers many local up and coming artists the opportunity to show and sell their art without dealing with the stuffier galleries in more richy neighborhoods. On the other end, people of all walks of life can walk and mingle with the art crowd in a laid back manner to look at new art whether they are planning to buy or not.

You can usually meet the artist at the opening at certain times, and talk to them about their work, get their autograph or what have you, or just shoot the breeze. If you're not feeling too social most galleries have a guest book where you can leave a note of appreciation, your email, or just a friendly hello. You can find some pamphlets regarded the artists with a little more information, such as a website. It'll include all the artists if its a group show, or just the featured artist. I ran into one gallery last night featuring Chuck Close.

Music and Good Times

The whole atmosphere is what contributes to such a good time. As you hop from gallery to gallery you are spectator to all kinds of entertainment. I've seen fire breathers, sword swallowers, belly dancers, jugglers, and there's always the pan handlers and street musicians. An old man with an electric violin, a young girl with a banjo, whole bands, and singers are all there on the sidewalk for your enjoyment and generous contribution.

Not every band is outside, though. As you go into each gallery or book store you'll find all kinds of music being played, my favorite being a certain group who play at the F.A.N. gallery on Arch street. They're an Irish group called Ceol Mor, with a guitarist, a flutist, violin player, and a fellow that plays the concertina, guitar, and sings. They play classic folk Irish tunes from up beat dancing numbers to old drinking songs. They've been known to take some requests, too.

If you're still in a dancing mood you can visit one of the several clubs you'll find within walking distance from the galleries such as Cuba Libre, if you're in a salsa kind of mood and Club Spice for the adventurous Indian dancer. Cuba Libre has an open front so passersby can "people watch" and see some nice Spanish dancing.

Good Food

Most showrooms will feed you and make available nice lagers or wines for a small donation. You can always see some seltzer and pretzels at the very least. They spare no expense in some places, giving you a wide array of gourmet cheeses, fruits, crackers and meats you can enjoy whilst gazing at the artwork.

I must plug a certain Jewish establishment, if you're to take away any knowledge of the good food you can find at First Friday. You simply must give this gallery a shot, you won't be disappointed. The artwork is okay, usually very modern and minimalist. But the food is to die for. The height of the celebration there is the Rabbi speaking and giving the Sabbath prayer. He's a nice guy and usually cracks a joke or two. They'll give you a decent glass of wine to toast, to boot. After the prayer, on a cold night you'll find yourself wiht a decent cup of hot chicken soup. Take advantage of the best brownies you'll ever eat before they go. And they go fast. Don't miss out on the other food either, such as a nice pasta salad and other Jewish cuisines.

Check It Out

A good gallery to visit is F.U.E.L. on the corner of 3rd and Arch streets. This is the one probably most aimed at the hip young crowd with loud music and featuring undergraduate artwork. They seem to keep a show on for a couple months before changing. Good music, food, and atmosphere with two floors to check out, it's always worth a visit. Sometimes there's a line to get it.

Another must-see is the Clay Studio. Nothing but clay and ceramics fill this two storyart house. They usually change their collection each month, featuring several local artists. It has a gallery to view and a gift shop for the more economical. Rarely am I disappointed with their stuff, ranging from traditional pottery to the abstract. I was lucky once to view a demonstration of pottery making on a pottery wheel. The boy was nice enough to let me hold one of the fresh cups and I went ahead and dented it by mistake. Oh well, I don't claim to be a potter.

The good part of all this is you won't have to check up on dates and times. It's open every first Friday of the month, rain or shine. Most galleries are open from about 5 to 8:30. You can get away with showing up at 7:30 but I'd recommend at least arriving between 6 and 7 or earlier. You may get lucky with a couple galleries staying open till 9, but after that they're pretty much packing up. Most of these galleries are open throughout the month, but you need to check the times and sometimes you may need an appointment.

So it may not be the highlight of your month but sure will on that particular night. A good Friday night could consist of eating at one of the many good restaurants in the area, shimmying by Old City for the gallery walk and then dancing the rest of the night away.

No matter what you're plan, you're sure to have a good time.