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.

First Friday spreads its urban-revitalizing reach to two new venues this month. The old downtown post office and courthouse gets invaded by the Collage Dance Theatre at 7, 7:45, 8:30 and 9:15 p.m. Also, a new building of galleries opens on Commerce Street. The opening will be accompanied by glass blowers, and Monster Balls, a series of performance art pieces by Stark Theatre, including dance, music and theater.

COMMERCE STREET

STUDIOS

1551 S. Commerce Street. 1 block west of Main Street, 1/2 block north of Wyoming St.

Studio MTZ. New works by Mark T. Zeilman

Archinofsky Gallery. Self Titled. Local photographers and owners of Archinofsky Gallery, Garald Todd and Deborah Arin, have teamed up to share their contrasting visions.

Shannon Webb Studio. New work by Shannon Webb.

Naked City Tattoo. New work.

COLORADO BOULEVARD

Colorado Boulevard and Casino Center in front of the Funk House will be closed off for the street fair. There will be artists' booths, barbecue by Sweet Georgia Brown and beverages by Dino's Lounge. Join in on the chalk-art project, which has expanded from the sidewalk into the street in front of the Funk House. Vista Four will perform in front of The Gypsy Caravan from 7-10 p.m.

The Funk House, 1228 Colorado Blvd. New works by Mark T. Zeilman and Garald Todd. Live didgeridoo music by Rick. Plus fortune-tellers, art vendors, live art demonstrations, performing artists and other assorted weirdness.

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

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

Wetzel Gallery. Photographs by Christine Wetzel.

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

MAIN STREET

The Dust Gallery,1221 S. Main, 1221 S. Main St. Artists reception: Less is More, an exhibition of paintings by New York City artist Jennifer Riley and drawings by fellow NYCer Marietta Hoferer.

Godt-Cleary Projects, 1217 S. Main. This is the last First Friday to see 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. Gone to the Dogs (and Cats). Group showing of prints by artists Tom Everhart, Todd Goldman and Matt Rinard. Also featured are etchings, stamp art and comic strip cells of famous woofers and meowers. Live lithography demonstrations on their century-old presses.

ARTS FACTORY

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

Common Area One. Pursuing Betty. Featuring the original abstract works of Geri Braun.

Common Area Two. Introducing Geri. Featuring the original works of local pin-up legend Jennifer Spear.

Studio 5ive. Hello My Name is Cicifu But You Can Call Me Cifu. Featuring the original works of local newcomer Cifu. Aerosol, acrylic and mixed media on masonite.

Cricket Studio and Face Up Gallery. The Evolver, new works 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. Steven Spann exhibits a contemporary portrait series, Jennifer Main shows figurative abstracts and Marty Walsh unveils her Irish landscapes just in time for St. Patrick's Day.

Zollar Gallery. Open studio and gallery.

SEAT (Social Experimentation and Absurd Theater): Confessions of a PTA Mom. A Jew from Brooklyn is held in captivity in a Mormon cul-de-sac in the desert. Fending for her sanity, she performs vulgar stand-up in a titty show only to find that she has a stronger sense of family values than the born-agains protesting outside. A one-woman show by Carole Montgomery. 8 p.m. Tickets $10. 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. Reservations recommended. Show begins promptly 10 p.m. Admission is $5 at the door. Info: 736-4313 or at www.godsexandbowling.com.

ALSO

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

Reed Whipple Cultural Center, 821 Las Vegas Blvd. North. Works by Merilee Hortt. Hortt's goal is "to create beautiful objects that prompt new ways of seeing, an awareness of unimagined and, until a moment ago, unseen relationships." 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. Atomic City Tattoo, 1506 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Suite #3.Soul Kitchen & Rebelution Production featuring local DJs Edgar Reyes, Jonny Rox, Dave Cardenas and Speedy, along with live bands Murder By Media and Avalon Dies. This is a free all-ages show starting at 6 p.m. including free barbecue and Atomic Art Show.

AFTER PARTIES

Dino's. 10:30 p.m.-1 a.m., The Nines 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.