First Friday Raleigh goes virtual May 1

The first Friday of every month, Downtown Raleigh showcases its art, music and food during its First Friday Gallery Walk. It’s a free self-guided tour and a chance to visit art galleries, studios, alternative art venues and more.

However, right now, with venues closed, First Friday has gone virtual!

Visit the Virtual First Friday Raleigh website on May 1st, 2020, at 5:30 p.m. They will kick the evening off with a live DJ set with DJ Amha. Then they’ll release a new compilation of videos from local musicians and artists for you discovery and enjoy.

You can see April’s Virtual First Friday videos there now.

First Friday Raleigh Virtual Events

In addition, some of the First Friday member organizations are offering virtual events and you can see a list here.

Follow the above link for details on these events. Some of them involve purchasing food at a venue and enjoying it at home.

BEST OF NORTH CAROLINA 2020 VIRTUAL EXHIBIT @ GALLERY C
Exhibition Dates: Apr 3-May 23

The much anticipated annual exhibition “The Best of North Carolina” is now open March 28th at Gallery C. Gallery owner and art historian Charlene Newsom employs her broad knowledge of North Carolina art to curate an extensive collection. All of the work exhibited are landmark pieces by important North Carolina artists. Some of the biggest names and best North Carolina art from the 19th and 20th centuries are included in this year’s show. Visit their YouTube channel to view their virtual exhibitions.

FIRST FRIDAY VIRTUAL TASTING WITH BENEVOLENT NEGLECT WINES @ DRINK
Mark Your Calendar for a FUN-tastic First Friday!

DRINK will welcome our friends from Benevolent Neglect for a Virtual Tasting to discuss their wines – technical aspects and what music pairs with it. Follow them on Instagram @bnwines. If you have ever held one of their bottles in your hands, you will understand why they are a perfect fit for First Friday – the Labels are works of art, as are the wines in the bottle.

FRESH EXHIBITION @ ARTSPACE
FRESH is an online exhibition of new works by North Carolina artists. The concept of the show is to demystify the process about what goes into the making of an exhibition and to provide all NC artists an opportunity to show their work.

To preserve the spirit of FRESH as it transitions to a digital exhibition, we will have several curators pick their selections and we will present separate online galleries for each one. All submitted works PLUS the curated selections will be available for viewing online through May 31.

FRESH is a fundraising exhibition with 70% of the proceeds from sales of artwork going directly in the pockets of artists and 30% going to the Artspace Inspiration Fund to support exhibitions and art education programs. View the exhibition here.

FUN AT HOME WITH FOOD & BROVELLI FLAVORED OLIVE OILS & BALSAMICS @ BROVELLI OILS, VINEGARS & GIFTS
First Friday Event Time: 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Exhibition Dates: Apr 3-May 31

Brovelli has many ways to enjoy their Flavored Olive Oils & Balsamic vinegar’s, Sea salts & Herb blends at home. They have Pantry Meal Kits for making a great dinner together that includes dry foods & recipe incorporating their Flavored Olive Oils & Balsamic. With their Make at Home cheeseboards they include all ingredients with instructions & Specially Infused Vinaigrette. If you’d rather just purchase a Brovelli Made item we have our Cheeseboards or Fresh homemade pasta with your choice flavored Olive Oil. Buon Appetito!