The first Friday of every month, Downtown Raleigh showcases its art, music and food during its First Friday Gallery Walk. The event runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., but venues’ hours may vary. It’s a free self-guided tour and a chance to visit art galleries, studios, alternative art venues and more.
Museums stay open late on the first Friday of the month. Live music is plentiful and many restaurants and retailers offer specials. Look for the First Friday flags to identify participating venues.
Here’s a First Friday map.
Here’s some of what’s happening Friday, June 7th, 2019. The following descriptions were provided by the venues.
See all of the events and get the addresses and more information here.
ALTER EGO PRESENTS: ART BY KABRINA WILLIAMS @ ALTER EGO SALON & BLOW DRY BAR
Kabrina Williams says of her work “My collection of art is always to convey a sense of relaxation and to add a feel of meditation into your space.” Please join us for First Friday in June from 6pm-9pm to view her work and speak with the artist.
ARTSPACE CORRIDOR ARTISTS EXHIBITION @ ARTSPACE
Artspace Corridor Artists Exhibition features a series of works by artists Allison Coleman, Gabriella Corter, Angela Lombardi + Lakeshia Reid. Exhibition on show until July 27.
CAKE BOWL SUNDAE PREMIERE PARTY! @ THE CUPCAKE SHOPPE BAKERY
Many of you might know Arlen, our Front of House Manager, who’s been a part of The Cupcake Shoppe family since 2011 and is the friendly face that greets you in the shop most mornings! She has always dreamed of transitioning her love of sweets and customer service into a venture of her own and has been busy working away on a fun new idea. We love our people and love to support their dreams so we are pleased to give her the opportunity to debut her creation at The Cupcake Shoppe! What is that creation? Well, we all love cake and ice cream, but you’ve never experienced them together like this before. Cake bowls (yes, that’s a bowl made of cake) are filled with scoops of homemade ice cream and then heaped with your choice of toppings! Keeping in line with Cupcake Shoppe standards of quality, Arlen is proud to use our cake recipes for the bowls and only natural ingredients for her ice cream: real milk, cream, eggs, and sugar. She was inspired by the best, after all 😉 The Cupcake Shoppe is hosting the first EVER cake bowl premiere on First Friday, June 7th! We can’t wait to see you!
CHAMPAGNE WITH RASPBERRY BALSAMIC OR CHEESECAKE SHOOTERS @ BROVELLI OIL, VINEGAR & GIFTS
First Friday Special: $2 Prosecco Champagne with Raspberry Balsamic Vinegar-2oz and Mini Peppered Bacon & Spicy Sriracha Cheesecake Shooters-2 oz
CITY GALLERY ART OPENING: THE STORY OF FOSTER CARE @ THE CITY GALLERY
We love our city and the artists in it! Join us at City Gallery in the 1880 Room on Friday, 6/7, from 6-9p as we welcome Empty Frames Initiative and their gallery show, “The Story Of Foster Care.” This show explores the importance of hearing every individual’s story through the joys and challenges of life in foster care. Empty Frames Initiative began as a dream to capture the joy of adoption through photography, and expanded into the idea of teaching orphaned youth the art of photography to instill the truth that they are valuable and their perspective is needed. It has grown into a local non-profit that empowers orphans as they “age out” of state care to tell their stories, find hope in Christ, and write the next chapters of their lives with confidence. Photos tell our stories, and Empty Frames Initiative looks to equip a generation to fill empty frames with a life of purpose. Follow City Gallery on Instagram and Twitter for more information about this and all upcoming shows!
COLOR MY WORLD @ LOCAL COLOR GALLERY
Featuring ‘Color My World’ exhibit brings original new oil paintings by Chantal Tomiello. Come meet and interact directly with the artists this First Friday. On view through June 29th
EXPOSED: NUDES IN ART 2019 @ LITMUS GALLERY & STUDIOS
Exposed: Nudes in Art – 25 local artists showcasing original art interpretations of the nude, semi-nude, and implied nude human form. Throughout history, representation of the human form has been charged with tremendous energy, both positive and negative. Our goal for this annual exhibit is to discover how today’s artists explore and represent the human form. The reception also features improvisational dancers directed by Steve Clarke.
FAMILY GAME NIGHT WITH EAST COAST GAMING @ READ WITH ME | A CHILDREN’S BOOK & ART SHOP
East Coast Gaming is bringing their best family table games to share with you! Drop-in and play tables will be set up between 6-8pm. There will be games for all ages. Refreshments will be available too! https://www.e-c-gaming.com/
FIRST FRIDAY ART IN THE MARKET @ CITY MARKET
Join us for Art in the Market at City Market for First Friday!! Walk the cobblestone streets and listen to live music by: 6-9 PM Guitarist – Ben Youngblood 7-8 PM One Tribe Rhythms Drum Circle Bring your instrument or borrow ours. Chairs provided. Dancing and hooping encouraged! Let’s rock City Market in downtown Raleigh! Free. facebook.com/onetriberhythms Stop by to see all our artist displays from talented local artists, including: Christina Britt Chris Gower Art by missy B Dawna Hasara Lynn Russell Kim Bishop City Market Tenants will be open late stop by to eat and shop. SHOP: The Devilish Egg 5-9 PM First Friday – Choose Your Own Craft Choose from such as clay painting, string art, granulated candles, and Russian nesting dolls. Like Bandersnatch, it’s a choose your own craft adventure!! All materials are provided, just bring yourself, maybe a friend and your favorite adult beverage. Brovelli Oils, Vinegars & Gifts Bella Vita The Design Gallery Salon Unleashed at City Market Social Status EAT: Vic’s Italian Restaurant Woody’s at City Market Royale City Market Sushi TREAT Ice Cream MOFU (featured artist during First Friday)
FIRST FRIDAY AT THE IEC: LIFE IS A PICTURE! WITH SHARON DEAN @ INNOVATION & ENTREPRENEURSHIP CENTER
Come out and experience the exhibit of SHARON DEAN PHOTOGRAPHY: LIFE IS A PICTURE! Sharon Dean is a multifaceted gift to the world. With sheer charisma, she delivers a message of hope among many people from everyday walks of life. Her polished art of public speaking, unmistakable love for helping people, practical wisdom and insightful teaching, have positioned her as a highly sought after 21st century presenter. Sharon’s comedic timing and affable nature make her an audience favorite at venues large and small. Her more than 25-year tenure as a public speaker began with local engagements, before exploding onto the national stage at arenas and on international platforms. As her popularity grew, Sharon was featured on local TV media outlets, and later, an appearance on an international network. Sharon’s love for spreading her inspirational message extends into various artistic genres, one of them being photography; capturing stunning photos that are sure to inspire in the debut of her art collection LIFE IS A PICTURE! Although Sharon has been taking pictures for many years, she embraced her passion more deeply in 2015. This collection of art is a unique blend of photos that capture Sharon’s deep emotional connection to moments that have touched her heart in special ways. The theme of Sharon’s photography is found in the name of her gallery, LIFE IS A PICTURE, which features skyscrapers, street photography, and unique people captures.” This event is free. You are welcome to stop by, enjoy the exhibit, and chat with Sharon. Wine, various non-alcoholic beverages, and light refreshments will be served.
FIRST FRIDAY JAZZ WITH FOSCOE PHILHARMONIC @ IRREGARDLESS CAFÉ & CATERING
Come listen to Foscoe Philharmonic @ Irregardless. Learn more about their music at www.reverbnation.com/foscoephilharmonic Every First Friday, Irregardless Cafe hosts live jazz and cocktails starting at 6:30pm. Come join the fun with appetizers, hand-crafted cocktails, and jazz artists from around the country. 901 W Morgan St, Raleigh NC 27603 For any questions about the event, contact call 919-833-8898
FIRST FRIDAY MUSIC: JIMI KING TRIO @ CIRCA 1888
Join us for live music from the Jimi King Trio after your First Friday Raleigh art walk. The show starts at 9 pm and is free with your one-time, $1 Circa 1888 membership. About Jimi King Trio: This power trio from Central North Carolina owns a sound that is a culmination of the varied influences and experiences of the individual members. Consisting of only Guitar, Bass, Drums and Vocals, this talented three sounds more like a five piece. King interweaves the sounds and styles of many of the great blues giants. He rides the sonic waves of a very talented rhythm section adding his passionate guitar and vocals. Their performance is constantly trying to make the audience truly feel the music that really moves them.
FIRST FRIDAY | MORGAN THOMPSON @ THE ART OF STYLE
Hey style seekers! Its getting hot out, but we’re going to keep things cool this first Friday, June 7. Join us as we welcome our artist of the month: Morgan Thompson! Come enjoy the AC, sip chilled drinks, and shop 20% off while you explore our new store layout.
ARTIST BIO : Morgan Thompson is a passionate photographer from Alabama. After moving to Raleigh in 2015 to pursue a career in Software Engineering, he fell in love with photography and everything about it. Morgan’s main focus is on portraits, concert, and street & lifestyle photography. He started a creative collective known as Artive.co in 2016 to connect and inspire other artists in the area to create more by hosting monthly meet ups and sharing artists’ stories.
Join us on June 7 FROM 6 – 9 PM for a good times + good people. We will have our usual drinks and refreshments + 20% OFF THE ENTIRE STORE – including brand new arrivals. See you all there…
GRAND OPENING: DWELLINGS AT THE CENTERPIECE @ THE CENTERPIECE
Exhibition Dates: Jun 7-Jun 8
The Centerpiece welcomes you to our Grand Opening, featuring works that combine time, place, and the ways art can evoke memories in all of us. Dwellings plays with our notions of “home,” asking you to consider your own space and experiences in relation to each work of art. These windows into the artists’ lives speak to each of us in a different manner. Dwellings will include original pieces by Joshua Smith, Natalie George, David Grieve, Brad Robertson, Kathleen Deep and more. Come see Dwellings as it runs throughout the month of June! We’ll kick off our Grand Opening of The Centerpiece with a two-day event on June 7th and 8th. These events will feature a sneak preview in tandem with First Friday, and the official grand opening on Saturday, June 8th. Our Saturday event will feature artist demos, raffles, refreshments, and more! Check our social media for updates as we move closer to the event.
HOT CLUB OF RALEIGH GYPSY JAZZ BAND @ TROPHY TAP + TABLE
Hot Club of Raleigh Gypsy Jazz Band performs every First Friday from 6pm – 8pm! Plus come check out new artwork debuted by our featured local artist and chat with representatives from our non-profit of the month!
I LOVE PARIS @ V L REES GALLERY
Exhibition Dates: May 3-Jun 29
I love Paris anytime. The City of Light, plus Giverny. C’est si bon. Opening reception during First Friday, May 3, from 6 to 9 pm. Ready to hang, original oil paintings, from $35 to $900.
INTUITIVE EFFORTS @ PERSONIFY
Exhibition Dates: Jun 7-Jul 1
On Friday, June 7th, from 6:30 to 9:00 pm, Personify is pleased to present “Intuitive Efforts” by artist Susan Peters as part of the First Friday Art Walk. The artist will be on hand to speak with visitors about their work which will remain on display through Monday July 1st. Artist Statement I find myself truly happy when I am creating. In art, oftentimes akin to life, we succeed and fail. Each and every experience, whether failure or success is part of who we are and important. I find portraying these successes, as well as the failures, through my art to be liberating and part of the human experience. Artist Bio I am originally from Woodstock, NY, and have always been creating something, from the early years of finger-painting on rocks in the creek bed behind my grandmother’s house to present. After a long hiatus from painting, I have returned to it originally as a cold weather hobby, but after creating the first acrylic painting, I was immediately hooked. I started looking at everything around me in detail, noticing colors, shapes, light, and shadows. I enjoy using bright colors in my work and painting a variety of subject matters, as well as using varied techniques. Depending on my mood, I can go from painting flowers and animals, to abstract figures, flow art, and resin. I am also enjoying learning new mediums such as alcohol ink and encaustic. You can follow Peters, and her work at www.acrylicartistrync.com. Dj Triple B will provide a soundtrack based on the artist, and her work. Light refreshments will be provided.
LIVE MUSIC @ HIBERNIAN ON GLENWOOD @ HIBERNIAN IRISH PUB & RESTAURANT
We have a $19.99 Ribeye Special every Friday! Sometimes we do a Surf & Turf, make sure to check social media for food specials 🙂 Friday’s we offer drink specials, $3 Shiner Bock, $4 Blue Moon, $5 Wicked Weed IPA
RECEPTION WITH PET ARTIST PATRICIA WILSON AND BOGO PACKAGED PET TREATS! @ UNLEASHED, THE DOG AND CAT STORE
Join us for a an artist reception featuring pet artist, Patricia Wilson. Patricia will be in store to answer questions about her work and can even talk to you about turning your pet into art as well! We’ll have light refreshments and goodies for you and your pet, along with a special BOGO sale on our packaged treats. Don’t miss out on the fun and bring your dog along for this pet friendly First Friday event!
THE SKY IS NOT SACRED – LIEN TRUONG @ ARTSPACE
Through multi-layered paintings on canvas and silk, and a video collaboration with artist Hồng-An Truong, artist Lien Truong’s exhibition, The Sky is Not Sacred explores themes of colonialism, landscape, memory, heritage, and war. This rich body of work investigates the complexities of personal experiences, geo-political history, poetry and visual culture. Exhibition on show until June 22.
UNIVERSAL ACCESS ARTIST IN RESIDENCE EXHIBITION – KATIE SHAW @ ARTSPACE
Katie Shaw is a Richmond-based artist whose abstract geometric work is influenced by textile design, scientific diagrams and architectural structures. Shaw is the first artist to participate in Artspace’s newly launched Universal Access Residency, which supports artists with disabilities. Come out to meet Katie Shaw this June 7 First Friday, 6-10pm. Shaw’s Artist Talk will be on SAT. June 8, 12-1pm. Free!
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