Celebrate Las Vegas’ Cultural Diversity at “One World Through Art” at First Friday Las Vegas’ Monthly Arts & Culture Festival May 1
First Friday Las Vegas is inviting groups of all religions, cultures, races, genders and sexual orientations to come together for an evening of mutual respect and understanding with “One World Through Art” in Las Vegas on Friday, May 1 (Photo credit: Garden Grill).
HIGHLIGHTS: First Friday Las Vegas attendees can enjoy a variety of activities including:
- First Friday already exists as a microcosm of the widely diverse backgrounds and cultures that make Las Vegas such a remarkable place. At “One World Through Art,” new and interesting cultures will be welcomed to First Friday to enrich and inspire guests, including Best Buddies Nevada, The Jewish Federation, Sikh community, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Anti-Defamation League, Muslim community, Catholic Charities, The Center, Ethiopian Christian Community and Baha’i International Community. All groups will come together for one collaborative art installation that will reflect unity in the Las Vegas community. All organizations will be on hand to answer questions and showcase various forms of art popular within their culture.
- First Friday Managing Partner Joey Vanas will accept the “Walk the Talk” award from Best Buddies, presented by Anthony Kennedy Shriver at 8 p.m. at the Main Stage.
- The Main Stage will feature a variety of performances including the Bhangra dancing from members of the Sikh community at 7 p.m., the Agassi Prep Drum Line at 7:25 p.m., additional performances throughout the evening by the Saint Charbelle Performers, Eric Harper, Red Grammer and Ethiopian performers.
- As a presenting sponsor, Best Buddies Nevada will greet guests of First Friday on the shuttles to and from the event and at the Welcome Tent, where they will encourage visitors to take part in an interactive art exhibit where all First Friday-goers mark their home on a large map of the earth. There will also be a special raffle for an original piece of art by world-renown artist Romero Britto.
- First Friday also welcomes animal organization Those Left Behind in KidZone. Activating for the first time, Those Left Behind will bring therapy pets to First Friday to teach kids the importance of animal companionship. There will also be a chance to take a photo with their 230-lb Mastiff. In addition, dogs from Those Left Behind will be “live painting” throughout the evening with their tails and paws. Art from the pooches will be sold with proceeds directly going back to the organization.
- Members of the Ethiopian community will be on site brewing coffee and explaining the history of sharing coffee in their culture.
- This May, both well-known and emerging artists will embrace the “One World Through Art” theme in the ArtWalk, running down Casino Center from Colorado to Charleston. The Arts District also features a variety of arts and crafts vendors made popular in the Artisan Bazaar.
- Kids will be able to participate in a variety of activities for children of all ages in KidZone, including giveaways from sponsor Cowabunga Bay, climb a rock wall and art projects by Star Nursery.
- Attendees can sample a variety of international cuisine from the traditional food trucks on site at The Eatery.
- First Friday Foundation sponsor, Shake Shack, will be kicking off their fourth annual Great American Shake Sale. Guests who donate $2 or more to No Kid Hungry will receive a gift card for a complimentary hand-spun shake – valued at $5 – redeemable at their next visit. The first Shake Shack west of the Mississippi opened strip-side at New York-New York Hotel & Casino.
Additional activities will be announced through First Friday Las Vegas’ social media channels including Facebook at www.facebook.com/firstfridaylasvegas or Twitter @FirstFridayLV
WHEN: Friday, May 1
- 5 – 11 p.m.
WHERE: First Friday Footprint
- Arts District Las Vegas and Downtown Las Vegas
PARKING: Please note, parking for First Friday has changed. The Government Center is NO longer available for free parking for First Friday attendees. The Ambassador (Llama) lot on Fremont has paid parking available and is located near the Container Park Shuttle Stop. Additional shuttle stops include the El Cortez and the Arts District Hub and Colorado and Main. Parking is also available for $3 at Symphony Park with shuttle service to First Friday Las Vegas from Promenade Place and Clark. For Disabled parking at the event, please call 702-736-6491.
First Friday Las Vegas has been a mainstay of arts and culture in downtown Las Vegas for 12 years and has become the leader for family-friendly activities, art, cultural enrichment, educational efforts, imagination, community and more; mostly low cost or free of cost, for every age. The outdoor event which averages 20,000 patrons each month features several areas throughout Downtown Las Vegas that showcases artists of all calibers and genres. Stages throughout the festival feature live music, food vendors and food trucks offer the finest in cuisine and other celebratory events each month are always working to build community in Las Vegas. First Friday Las Vegas, LLC’s Managing Partner is Joey Vanas.
For more information on First Friday Las Vegas, please check the website www.firstfridaylasvegas.com, like on Facebook page or follow on Twitter.