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. 

First Friday Art Fun Throughout Denver Sept. 7

Art fun abounds this week in Denver!

Don't forget Black Sheep Fridays offer the artsiest Happy Hour in Denver Friday Sept. 7 and every Friday at the Museum of Contemporary Art.. Happy hour drink specials and $5 admission after 5PM, which includes admission to the galleries. Galleries stay open until 9PM. This week enjoy a send up Japanese game shows with  "Show Very Enjoyable Game for Everyone." Hosted by Andrew Novick and Marc Hughes. Sake Bomb specials!

Also on Friday, Sept. 7 be sure to catch First Friday at Denver's Art District on Santa Fe Some 60 galleries, restaurants and shops.  (Avoid parking problems – take the shuttle.) 5:30-9PM. On Santa Fe from Alameda Ave. to 12th Ave. Some of the best people watching in Denver. FREE!

And if you want to know more about Santa Fe Drive's historical significance, check out the First Friday Historical Tour that begins at 5:30PM at the Byers Branch Library, located at the south-west corner of 7th and Santa Fe, $5 fee for the one hour tour. Parking is in the neighborhood or at West High School. Learn about three different eras in the timeline of Santa Fe; 1887, 1927 and today.

Denver's Sante Fe Art District Thirday Friday Jan. 20

If you've been to one of the First Friday art district nights, you know how they can be great fun, great people watching but oh-too-crowded. We have a solution:  Check out Third Friday on Friday, Jan. 20 at the Art District on Santa Fe, FREE! Between Alameda Ave. to 12th Ave. on Santa Fe Drive  there will be some 20 galleries open for perusal. And because the event is more laid back than First Friday, you have a better chance to enjoy the art, plus food, wine and music. Even parking will be better. We promise. Enjoy!