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, August 2nd, 2019. The following descriptions were provided by the venues. Learn more, including addresses, here.
ARTIST MEET & GREET WITH CAITLIN CARY @ MOORE SQUARE
First Friday Event Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Head to the Moore Square Visitor Center for a First Friday event, featuring the artwork of Artspace resident Caitlin Cary! Caitlin Cary has been selected as the featured artist for the grand re-opening of Raleigh’s Moore Square Visitor’s Center. This artist meet and greet highlights four new works that Cary has created for the grand re-opening.
CAM RALEIGH FIRST FRIDAY @ CAM RALEIGH (CONTEMPORARY ART MUSEUM)
CAM’s new exhibition by Marsha Cottrell, “Black and Light”, brings together a selection of work created by Cottrell between 1997 and 2019 using a computer and laser printer.
Also on view, Michael Klauke: “In So Many Words”, Justin LeBlanc’s “Probable Normal Hearing”, and work by Alan Stewart and Miller Taylor.
Experience a new make-and-take art project in the Creation Station, music by kward, food truck, and a few surprises.
CELEBRATE FIRST FRIDAY WITH UO RALEIGH! @ URBAN OUTFITTERS
Celebrate First Friday with UO Raleigh! Pet Adoption Event + DIY Pet Bandana Workshop
Treats provided by Locopops.
CULTURE POP UP! @ MOORE SQUARE
First Friday Event Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Immerse yourself in a different culture in a fun and playful atmosphere! A fun-filled recreational program for the whole family, this pop up will include dance, music, crafts and food from Scotland. Moore Square will be partnering with local performance groups, restaurants, and International Focus to bring you an authentic experience.
DEPTH OF FIELD OPENING @ UNITED ARTS COUNCIL OF RALEIGH AND WAKE COUNTY
First Friday Event Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Oh snap! VAE has put together a photography show. This exhibition will be held at United Arts Council during the month of August.
Exhibit dates: August 2-August 30, 2019
First Friday reception: August 2, 6:00 pm-8:00 pm
DRAW, PLAY & TRADE POKEMON @ READ WITH ME | A CHILDREN’S BOOK & ART SHOP
First Friday Event Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Read With Me’s local art gallery is open every day with over 10 local artists’ work for sale.
This First Friday we’ll have our Creativity Corner open for drawing, playing and trading Pokemon. Bring your cards, board and a friend! Also enjoy 20% off all young adult titles (shelf 5) and BOGO sale items (orange dots).
DREAM HOME – POP IN ARTIST CASEY MCGUIRE @ ARTSPACE
First Friday Event Time: 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
During July, Georgia-based artist, Casey McGuire transformed the Upfront Gallery at Artspace into her studio. McGuire’s residency exhibition opens this Aug 2nd First Friday to share a collective of “dream homes” – an installation project crafted from paper that will represent an idealized notion of community. Visitors during July were invited to participate and draw their dream home and McGuire would build them!
*ARTIST TALK will happen SAT. Aug 3, at 12:00pm
FIRST FRIDAY AT VAE RALEIGH @ VAE RALEIGH
First Friday Event Time: 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
THE LAB: Solar Mobile Variations by Lloyd Konneker : “Here I update traditional Calder mobiles with new technology: solar cells, motors, radios, and computers. I explore a similar design space: balance, recursion, space. But instead of choosing colors and shapes, I choose electronic components.”
FIRST FRIDAY FEATURING CHRIS FRISINA @ CITY OF RALEIGH MUSEUM
First Friday Event Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Make live music part of your First Friday plans this month with PineCone and Chapel Hill-based singer-songwriter Chris Frisina. All are welcome to drop in for a laid back evening with fellow music and art lovers.
Beverages courtesy of The Wine Feed and Trophy Brewing; light hors d’oeuvres will be available as well.
FIRST FRIDAY FEATURING DJ CASTRO @ CIRCA 1888
We have DJ Castro on the tables after your First Friday art walk. Starts at 10 pm and is free with your one-time, $1 membership.
FIRST FRIDAY JAZZ WITH BLUE T @ IRREGARDLESS CAFÉ & CATERING
First Friday Event Time: 6:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Come listen to Blue T @ Irregardless. Learn more about their music at www.reverbnation.com/bluet
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.
FIRST FRIDAY WITH MACK WILSON-LEIGH @ ERA DREAM LIVING REALTY
First Friday Event Time: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
We’re excited to host another fantastic local artist for First Friday in August. Mack Wilson- Leigh studied illustration at the American Academy of Art in Chicago. Using pencil and other various media he depicts individuals through portraiture and Caricature focusing on capturing likeness and emotion.
FIRST FRIDAY | HEATHER ECK @ THE ART OF STYLE
First Friday Event Time: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Art meets fashion once again as The Art of Style welcomes our next artist of the month: Heather Eck.
FIRST FRIDAY: CONNECTIONS MATTER @ IMURJ – THE ARTISTS’ CAFE
A visual art exhibit about the connections in a person’s life and how impactful they are for support, happiness and overall well-being.
FREE WINE TASTING & FOOD TRUCK! @ THE RALEIGH WINE SHOP
The Raleigh Wine Shop will be hosting Beli’s Sazón Colombian food truck in the parking lot and John Lambrakis of Bordeaux Fine & Rare inside at the bar for a free wine tasting. He’ll be pouring a lineup of wines that will fit fabulously for pairing with traditional Colombian street food or just sipping on their own as summer winds down. Stop by during your art crawl, grab dinner, enjoy a glass (or more) from the tasting, the taps, or out of the WineStation! And as always, grab a growler to go, or all featured wines from the tasting and the WineStation are available for purchase at 10% off by the bottle!
See all of the events and get the addresses and more information here.
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