Phoenix is known for being a big city without much culture, but that has been changing the last few years with the monthly First Friday arts and music event. It is billed as a “self guided art walk”. It takes place downtown mostly between 15th Ave and 7th St. and McDowell and Jefferson. Locally owned galleries exhibit local and regional artists and have music and other entertainment. There are booths with vendors selling crafts and services as well. All in all it is a fun, and mostly family friendly way to spend a Friday night.
This First Friday was very busy. As more and more people experience First Friday, it gets more crowded. I headed to the Lost Leaf, a house converted into a cozy pub, in the heart of the galleries. As usual, it was standing room only; obviously the “it” place during First Friday. Usually there are alternative genre local acts playing. This First Friday, there was a DJ, DJ Shane Kennedy. I was quite disappointed since I was hoping to catch a live act.
The Lost Leaf is one of my favorite places to catch live bands because they have an eclectic mix of bands of different music styles. In the past I have caught The Kongos, an experimental progressive rock group whose members are brothers, and a free form jazz jam fronted by one of the front men of the Drunken Immortals. The variety of musical acts and of course the amazing selection of microbrews is what has put this bar on my short list of favorites. They have their Third Anniversary celebration coming up May 25th. It sounds like it will have a good mix of music (including the Kongos). I suggest you put that date on your calendar or stop in for a First Friday.
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