Thursday, October 4, 2012

First Friday Oct. 5 Rocks Denver Art Scene

Oct. 5. 2012  is First Friday in Denver, and you know what that means. Art districts across the city will rock late into the evening, with galleries, artists receptions, studios and cultural attractions open late for a mind-expanding night of art, food, drink and fun. The best art, and people watching in Denver, and best of all, it is FREE! 


NAVAJO STREET ART DISTRICT 
Small district in Denver's lower Highlands neighborhood, but don't overlook it. Pirate: Contemporary Art, has been a fixture on Denver’s art scene for more than three decades and it anchors the district, which runs between 35th and 37th streets. Check out Patsy's Inn  for its vintage North Denver Italian vibe and delish pizza. Another area fave: The Bug Theater which kicks off its Nightmare on Navajo film/concert series on Friday, Oct. 5.

ART DISTRICT ON SANTA FE
Our personal favorite. More than 60 participating galleries, artist studios and restaurants on the First Friday Art Walk, 6-9PM every first Friday of the month. Parking is terrible, but there is a great FREE shuttle coach that will pick you up at the light rail station at 10th Avenue and Osage Street and ferry you around the Art District between 5:30-9:30PM. Grab some great Mexican food at El Taco de Mexico (don't miss those smothered chicken burritos) or a quick cocktail at El Noa Noa and off you go. 

OLD SOUTH PEARL STREET
Stroll between 1200 and 1800 blocks on South Pearl on First Fridays (April through December) and check out eight galleries, plus many shops hosting local artists, plus live music, food and drink. We love the he Sand Dollar Gallery (1256 S. Pearl) which opened its doors in 1975, making it one of the longest running galleries in Denver. Grab a table and latte at Stella's for prime people watching or hoof it to Lincoln's Roadhouse for great blues (no cover).

GOLDEN TRIANGLE MUSEUM DISTRICT
First Friday Art Tours take place in the Golden Triangle from 5-9PM every month, with as many as 50 galleries, artist's studios, specialty stores and museums or cultural centers participating. The free Art Bus shuttles participants around the neighborhood to all of the openings. Home to the Denver Art Museum, the Molly Brown House Museum and the Kirkland Museum. 
RIVER NORTH ART DISTRICT (RiNo)
Located just north of downtown, RiNo is the city's most diversely creative art district. Architects, art galleries, designers, furniture makers, illustrators, painters, media artists, photographers and sculptors are   set up in an array of unique studio spaces. Explore this innovative scene on the first Friday of every month between 5:30-9:30PM.

TENNYSON STREET CULTURAL DISTRICT

Such a funky, fun area. The First Friday evening of each month, the merchants along North Denver’s Tennyson Street invite you to stroll, shop, and gallery hop from 6-10PM. Stretches between 38th and 44th avenues it features plenty of restaurants, coffee houses, indie book stores and galleries galore. 

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