Denver Arts Week (DAW) will kick off Nov. 5 with a super-sized First Friday, a huge version of the arts ritual that takes place every First Friday in eight Denver neighborhoods. During First Friday, more than 100 art galleries and shops stay open until 9 p.m., many of them offering music, beer, wine and snacks. There is a true street-party atmosphere as thousands and thousands of art lovers browse from gallery to gallery, mingle in restaurants and bars, listen to music and most important, purchase art.
The November First Friday is traditionally the biggest of the year as it also serves as the start of Denver Arts Week, a nine-day celebration of the visual and performing arts scene of the Mile High City with more than 200 arts events that are either free, or available at greatly reduced prices.
Many of the galleries are offering Denver Arts Week specials that begin at the “mile high” price of $52.80. In addition to staying open, some of the galleries have “meet the artist” events as well as live painting and sculpting demonstrations.
The ArtDistrict on Santa Fe offers free shuttles from the 10th and Osage Light Rail station, making it easy to come to the event by public transportation.
Go to: www.DenverArtsWeek.com for a complete listing of all events. Neighborhoods participating in First Friday on Nov. 5 include:
Art District on Santa Fe – Denver’s largest and most vibrant arts neighborhood is on Santa Fe Blvd. from 6th Ave. to 1st Ave. and features more than 50 galleries and studios. www.artdistrictonsantafe.com
Cherry Creek North – Thirty art galleries along with many one-of-a-kind shops and boutiques will be open, making it a perfect night to dine in Cherry Creek and browse some art. www.cherrycreeknorth.com
Downtown Denver – Downtown, LoDo and Larimer Square galleries join in the excitement of First Friday with art, food, drink and events. www.downtowndenver.com
Golden Triangle Museum District – The neighborhood south of the Denver Art Museum has come alive with many exciting galleries and restaurants. If you haven’t visited here lately, stop by and be surprised…and don’t forget to have a pint at Pints Pub. www.gtmd.org
Navajo Street Art District – The Navajo Art District (between 36th and 37th on Navajo) has five art galleries, a performing arts theatre, a jewelry academy and Patsy’s, the oldest Italian restaurant in Denver. www.navajostreetartdistrict.com
Old South Gaylord & Old South Pearl – These Wash Park neighborhoods have more than a dozen great bars and restaurants and a great mix of shops and galleries. www.southgaylordstreet.com, www.oldsouthpearlstreet.com
RiNo (River North Art District) – Check the map at the www.rivernorthart.org to see which galleries and artist studios are open and offering viewings and artist demonstrations.
Tennyson Street Cultural District – Another surprise neighborhood if you haven’t been in years, the 15 galleries in the Tennyson Street Cultural District between 38th and 45th streets attract thousands of visitors for First Friday in a rolling street party.
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