All I can say is WOW. Last night was a very unique night at First Friday. For those of you not familiar with First Friday it is Las Vegas' version of ArtWalk that many cities have once a month. As the name suggests it takes place on the first friday of every month. There are local artists, musicians, performers, food vendors and LOTS of very unique, sometimes hipster and most definitely interesting people. It is an artisan's wonderland. There is so much exposure in a place like this, especially at night when the 9pm magic rolls into the area. There are hundreds of artists displaying their work hoping for someone to come by and take it home for the right prices.
Located in the art district of town, it is approximately 8-10 square blocks in the most concentrated areas. A few outlying stores participate in some of the further reaching areas of the Art District, but most of the action is definitely group hugged together on 2 streets spanning 3 blocks. The streets (for the most part) are blocked off giving the place a festival flavor. Every fathomable walk of life is parading the streets, stopping to fill their wells of curiosity with the very unique vendors of arts and my particular favorite - crafts. No, I am not talking couch pillows and country kitchen crafts. I am talking about toxic kitty doll and Tom Seleck Sperm Rattles crafts!
The curiouser of all of the crafters is a neon purple fissionable reactor disguised as a petite blond whose goal in the night is send everyone home with a Flaky Friend. Originating as an LA based artist Sarah Flake has been reformed into a Las Vegas plushie production guru with what I have to admit is an elf like capability to make SO MANY quality pieces. You can't avoid the charm the display exudes, partly, because you are being commanded to the table with the free pins/buttons adorning pictures of the cute Flaky friends, themselves. Paired with someone asking you what your favorite animal is and then being presented with the plush version of that animal, well, you can't help but spend, at least, part of your night admiring these adorable, affordable take-homes.
See more of her work (though definitely not even a fraction of it) at http://www.flakyfriends.com/
The wide array of different artists there is quite impressive within itself. Everything from glitter body jewelry, to breakdancing performing artists were represented out there. Along with the effort with the effort of the local stores and restaurants it was above the standard of pretentious art festival. It had the crazy unique insanity that only Las Vegas locals could extend to a community event!
In short, I would definitely recommend anyone visiting ont he First Friday of the month to try and attend this event, just make sure you leave that 4 foot tall plastic margarita filled souvenir cup in the hotel room!
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Wow! I had no idea the table came off that with effect - I had to laugh at the "elf like capability" part. Thanks so much for the glowing report. And I totally second the claim that First Friday is the best thing Las Vegas has going on. In an otherwise pretty depressing artistic atmosphere, First Friday is a tornado of fresh air!
ReplyDeleteMy 3 yr old daughter has one of Sarah's creations (some kind of crazy, cuddly, pink pig). She won't part with it. Gotta love Flaky Friends!
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