Phxs 1st Fridays 1st of 09 & 1st w/ LRT

HooverDam · #1 Posted: **Jan 4, 2009, 12:53 AM**

So last night was 2009's first First Fridays art walk in Phoenix, and the first ever to be served by the LRT (which was quite full). I rode my bike from my apartment in Tempe to the Tempe transit center, then rode the LRT to uptown Phoenix for dinner, then to the Roosevelt neighborhood for 1st Fridays. I couldnt figure out how to carry my tripod on my bike (I dont have any baskets), so some of the night pictures are a bit shaky, but they'll do I suppose.

Anyway, heres the pictures of the adventures my buddies and I had:

About to board the train in Tempe

Out the window the Tovrea Castle whizzes by

The dull M&I bank building actually looks kind of nice at night. Its across the street from where we ate.

Landmark Tower in Uptown Phoenix. Our dinner was at a nice place in the bottom of this building, Maizies it was called, quite good.

the weird Stargate looking art at the Camelback/Central station.

Really? These things have been in service for a week and 2/3rds of the machines at this station don't work, ridiculous.

A train whizzes by while I wait for mine going the other way

This man would later ask me which stop he should get off to go to the library. I told him Central and McDowell and he refused to believe me, which made me wonder why he asked, ah well.

We stopped by PAM (Phx Art Museum) first to check out a few exhibits.

My buddy in front of some modern art, a weird photo to be sure.

Inside the "fireflies" exhibit. Its a dark mirrored wall roomed with LED lights suspended from the ceiling that slowly change colors. Its part funhouse, part art.

Some art

This one is about 9/11 I think

PAM had some Persian dancers doing there thing. Im not sure if the belly dancing is supposed to be sexy, but as a heterosexual guy, I don't get it.

Sean at the LRT station nearest to the First Fridays action

These folks dont like Scientologists

Scientology needs to hire a new graphic designer. Their books and signs just make them look crazy.

My friend Amanda does the E-meter and then gets the big sell to buy a bunch of Dianetics books. Instead we just take their free DVD and plan to laugh at it when we get home.

These guys mess with the E-meter and anger Xenu

the street was busy

This speaker was blaring bluegrass and there was no one handing out literature. Im not sure what the message was. But I dug the bluegrass.

Some street musicians. This group was beyond horrible, I really dont think any of them knew what they were doing.

Folks walking about outside the galleries

Some raver kid plays with lights outside a house gallery. I was then handed a pamphlet to go to a rave, which made me laugh. Im far too goofy to attend a rave.

From the steps of that house looking out at the street scene

I decided this felt owl was named Steve

Hoodrides unique sign. They sell cool customized bikes

the crowd

some drummers perform

Folks watch the drummers in front of a well lit house/gallery

These folks decided to come dressed as barbarians....I guess

More of the barbarians or whatever

Patty and Amanda debate whether or not theyre cool enough for tie dye

Another street musician

One of the many peddy cabs

Theres a surprising lack of Southwestern art at 1st Fridays, but this booth had some

This Asian immigrant fellow runs a booth where he shows you words that spell out the names of colors, and are shaded a different color (i.e.: yellow). When you mess up he laughs maniacally at you and says "see no one perfect! You blew it! dats ok! Jeeesus still love you!"

Lady fiddlers

some art

Santa Claus wanted to buy a hot dog

Ceramics!

This sign is a lie! Thats an eggplant.

More musicians

Fire bad!

Beads and rocks and such

Some cool toys

Some fun pieces

You see the joke is, he's doing what the painting is doing. Nevermind, Ill explain it to you when you're older.

Some sort of squid/alien/robot/cyclops thing