First Friday

First Friday is the monthly cultural event in the downtown arts district featuring gallery openings, live music, open studios, assorted live entertainment and other hard-to-categorize stuff. The event runs from 6-10 p.m. with a few after-hours events as well. We recommend starting at the Funk House at 1228 S. Casino Center Blvd. or the Arts Factory at 101 E. Charleston Blvd. where complete schedules and maps are available. More info: 678-6278 or 384-0092, or go to www.whirlygiglasvegas.org.

COLORADO BOULEVARD

Colorado Boulevard and Casino Center in front of the Funk House will be closed off for a street fair. Also, Dangerous Furniture by metal artist Mike Jepsen, hand-made tiles by sculptor Denise Duarte, artists booths, live music and other assorted stuff. Music by Casey Clayton and new local jam band 2nd Syllable. At 8 p.m. the Found Magazine show starts (see article on Page 16 for details). And just to pump up the weirdness, The Asylum Theater brings Euripides' The Bacchae, performed by sock puppets at 7, 8 and 9 p.m. There will be barbecue by Sweet Georgia Brown, European cuisine by Euro Place and libations sold by Dino's. Vista Four will play in front of the Gypsy Caravan from 7-10 p.m.

The Funk House, 1228 Colorado Blvd. Welcome to My Mind, by Catherine Jean Meza. This local artist's work explores the emotions of people and their relationship to the environment. Music by Green from 7-9:30 p.m.

The Colorado Cottages. SW corner of Colorado Boulevard and Casino Center

Dray's Place. Open studio and gallery featuring the work of Dray.

Gallery MTZ. Meditations on Canvas by Andrew Nancarrow. Abstract paintings inspired by Nancarrow's meditation practice in the Vipassana and Zen Buddhist traditions.

Wetzel Gallery. Four Eyes. Photography by Wetzel, Vargas, Donahue and Churchill.

Spart IV Studio. Wood carvings.

MAIN STREET

The Dust Gallery, 1221 S. Main. Artists reception. The Enemy Show, curated by Carrie Jenkins and Jessica Starkey, with new works by Kelly Barrie, Chad Brown, Sam Davis, Martin Durazo, Caleb Forbis, Sherin Guirguis, Carrie Jenkins, Sean Russell and Jessica Starkey.

Godt-Cleary Projects, 1217 S. Main. Continuing: Dennis Hopper's Photographs, Billboards and Paintings.

S2Art Gallery, 1 E. Charleston at Main. Group show of Lithographs by Tom Everhart, Todd Goldman, Gordon Parks, Matt Rinard, Waldemar Swierzy, Rafal Olbinski, Stanley Mouse, Al Hirschfeld, Donna Summer, Kenny Rogers, Juan Sanchez-Juarez and Alphonse Mucha. Live Lithography demonstrations. On their century old presses.

ARTS FACTORY

Contemporary Arts Collective. Invitational exhibition of 50 works donated by well-known and emerging artists to be auctioned Saturday.

Common Area One. The Gun Show by Casey Weldon. Nonpartisan paintings about gun control.

Common Area Two. Décor Aquatica, Joseph Watson's first solo show featuring pieces depicting sea life, as well as toy designs and his character and enviroment designs for video games.

Studio 5ive. Dolls, a show by Korry Erra. Fun work mixing '50s pinup girls with modern tattoed rockabilly chicks.

Cricket Studio and Face Up Gallery. Continuing: 4 Dot, work by Dar Freeland.

Dave Bassett Photography. Manipulated prints, rocks from the moon and other niceties. Panoramas, photographic panoramas, illustrations on paper, pastels and prints by Brian Swanson.

Cube Gallery. New work by Tony Tompkins and Christopher Scott.

Mike Griesgraber Studio. Open studio and gallery.

Mike Wardle Gallery. Open studio and gallery, featuring abstract expressionist paintings.

Trifecta Gallery. Work by Steven Spann, Jennifer Main and Marty Walsh

Zollar Gallery. Open studio and gallery.

SEAT (Social Experimentation and Absurd Theater): Indie pop sensation From Bubblegum to Sky with special guest G9. Show begins at 8 p.m. Admission is $6. Tickets available online at www.godsexandbowling.com or by calling 736-4313.

ALSO

Nevada Arts Council, 821 S. Seventh St. Quilts of the Soul, sampling of fabric quilts, pieced blocks and wall hangings created by Girtia Lukes. Artist reception 5-7 p.m.

Reed Whipple Cultural Center, 821 Las Vegas Blvd. North. Open until 9 p.m.

AFTER PARTIES

Dino's. 10:30 p.m.-1 a.m., the Nines followed by karaoke with host Danny.

Ice House Lounge. "The Get Back" funky soul dance party with DJs John Doe and Danny Boy. 10 p.m. until the wee hours. $5 for girls, $10 for guys. Drink specials all night.

Snick's Place and Aloha Laundromat, 1402 Third St.. VegasArtists.com presents Spaced Invaders mini-film festival, live acts performing in the laundry, DJs all night in Snick's and even more art, 10 p.m.-4 a.m.