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.firstfriday-lasvegas.org.

COLORADO BOULEVARD

Colorado Boulevard and Casino Center in front of the Funk House will be closed off for the street fair. Highlights include handmade tiles by sculptor Denise Duarte plus artists booths, live music and other stuff. Vista Four will perform in front of The Gypsy Caravan from 7-10 p.m.

The Funk House, 1228 Colorado Blvd. Photography by Garald Todd, exploring the human body in texture.

The Colorado Cottages. Southwest 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. Photographs by Christine Wetzel.

Spart IV Studio. Tribute to Sammy Davis Jr. wood carvings.

MAIN STREET

The Dust Gallery,1221 S. Main. New York [heart] Las Vegas, curated by Lisa Stefanelli, with works by Karen Arm, Daniel Davidson, Inka Essenhigh, Peter Fox, Elizabeth Gray, Erick Johnson, Tricia Keightley, Kathleen Kucka, Matt Magee, Anna Pedersen, Bob Seng and Lisa Hein, Sean Spencer, Natasha Sweeten and Sarah Trigg-Tetens. Art by 15 New York artists. From 6 to 7 p.m., Mayor Goodman will be there to meet and greet.

Godt-Cleary Projects, 1217 S. Main. Robert Rauschenberg: Art and Life. A major feather in the cap of the Arts District. Jasper Johns says, "Rauschenberg is the man in this century who has invented the most since Picasso."

S2Art Gallery, 1 E. Charleston at Main. Sampler show. Special group showing of lithographs, etchings and posters by artists including Tom Everhart, Todd Goldman, Matt Rinard, Waldemar Swierzy, and Lithographic reproductions of classic film posters. Live lithography demonstrations on their century-old presses.

ARTS FACTORY

Contemporary Arts Collective. The Cult of Potato. A new show by International Potato Arts Collective begins its national tour here in Las Vegas

Common Area One. Connections. KNPR 25th anniversary show celebrates 25 years in public radio with 15 artworks by local artists. Also, Scott Robertson's Fine Art Collective.

Studio 5ive. Mystery Show. Brace yourself for a show that is so top secret, we can't tell you what it is. All we can say is you'll like it.

Cricket Studio and Face Up Gallery. The grand opening of Evolver, new works by Dar Freeland. Continuing: 4 Dot, work by Dar Freeland. Also, Panoramas, photographic panoramas, illustrations on paper, pastels and prints by Brian Swanson.

Cube Gallery. Vintage Vegas by Tony Tompkins.

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): Crackwhore: The Musical a play by Mark Ravenhill. Completely tasteless nonsense scientifically modified for commercial success mounted on a single evening on the great stage of SEAT. Test Market battles The Human Zoo in a live/dead performance guaranteed to make you pee yourself with delight. You'll jump for Joy (Joy will be hanging naked from the chandelier). Reservations recommended. Show begins promptly at 8, 9 and 10 p.m. Admission is $20 at the door, $15 by phone (736-4313) and $10 online at www.godsexandbowling.com.

ALSO

Nevada Arts Council, 821 S. Seventh St. Open gallery.

Reed Whipple Cultural Center, 821 Las Vegas Blvd. North. Pixelgraphic, paintings by New York artist Orit Ben-Shitrit. Open until 9 p.m.

Durette Studio, 1007 Main St.One-night only show. Check out the designs of floral artist and designer Cathy Alexander of Plantworks.

AFTER PARTIES

Dino's. 10:30 p.m.-1 a.m., Pete Contino's Blues Zydeco Band, followed by karaoke with host Danny G.

Ice House Lounge. "The Get Back" funky soul dance party with DJs John Doe and Danny Boy, Pizzo, Dirtycrum, Standing 8. 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.