- September 21st marked our 1 year anniversary of being back in the grand US of A!
- October 1st marked our 2-month anniversary of being in Phoenix.
- October 17 marks our 1 year wedding day anniversary (and yes, I still like my husband!).
Definitely exciting times! :)
October 1st also served as First Friday in Phoenix. We took full advantage of the coincidence in dates and used it as an opportunity to truly explore what the Phoenix art scene was about. Let me tell you this -- I frequented Indianapolis' first Friday art events and while I love the Indy City, Phoenix put it to shame!
I've truly never seen such a collaboration of different art and music aesthetics. The streets were alive with bands on every corner. One featured the sounds of soulful reggae musicians and on-lookers swaying to the beats. The opposite corner housed a rockabilly band and carefree dancers enjoying the music. There were carnival-esque entertainers swallowing razor blades, gigantic human/light shows that attracted massive crowds and galleries open every couple feet. Gelado was served in between exhibition halls and people dressed to impress in funky clothing and fabulous hair blown out of your standard, everyday proportions. Truly a spectacle and reflection on what art and music means in the big city of Phoenix.
Obviously we'll be back next month. :)
We started the evening with the task of locating a parking spot. Though it was tricky, it was not impossible. We parked on 3rd and Filmore, which was right next to an apartment complex we'd seriously considered moving to. Though I enjoy the facilities, cleanliness and feel of our current apartment, there's something deliciously intoxicating about being in the center of it all. Should we stay in Phoenix a second year (and we're leaning heavily on doing so), we'll transplant ourselves downtown.
Anyway, after parking, we headed to The Roosevelt Tavern, a casual bar on 3rd/Roosevelt lit only by candles and the cell phones of others. Not a romantic place, but a dark one. :) I ordered the recommended Riesling and David chose a beer. He was happy about the lace left on the interior of the glass, so I assume he was happy with his selection. Ooh, I also ordered a creamy, homemade tomato soup with a ciabatta provolone sandwich and David devoured a toasty pretzel with two homemade mustards. Again, we'll be back.
With our bellies full and a fine feeling from those tasty drinks, we ventured to our true destination: Somewhere on Roosevelt. That's right -- somewhere. Phoenix First Friday's is the largest artwalk in the nation. It spans about 2 miles and the entire walk is chock-full of myriad residents/visitors. Here are a few pictures from the evening:
Rockabilly band outside a record shop
Said record shop.
Tons of outside galleries under tents!
Corner side band sitting outside of a gallery with onlookers and passers-by.
A cool exhibit located inside. I snapped pics while David found a restroom.
I was drawn to these beautiful colors from far away.
Despite this "Shh..." sign, nobody was quite. :)
A light show. I was happy to be invited inside the fence to snap photos.
Another.
Something about this artist's work really stood out to me. There were a lot of these magazine parodies in one room with one, single painting of what I can only describe as a 3rd world setting. Perhaps the juxtaposition of worlds is slightly overdone on the art scene, but I thought it was nicely executed.
Love this collection of tiny paintings!
Swallowing razor blades. There's something about that kind of entertainment that gives me the heebie jeebies. I had to look away when her partner jumped onto broken glass. :x
That's all for now!
Wendy
1 sprinkles:
First Friday in Phoenix is prolly the only thing I miss about the town. Its always alive and happening!
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