Galleries and Receptions: First Friday Art Crawl Returns to Downtown Boone This Week

By JESSICA ISAACS

Looking for a fun way to spend your Friday night this week? Don’t miss the live entertainment, art galleries, refreshments and other festivities slated for this month’s Downtown Boone First Friday Art Crawl.

Virginia Falck, downtown coordinator with the Town of Boone’s Department of Cultural Resources, said the First Friday series brings people from across the High Country together each month to enjoy all that the community has to offer.

“The concept behind it is that businesses and art galleries stay open a little later on Friday night so that folks can come downtown and enjoy the art receptions,” Falck said. “Other businesses will have entertainment or specials going on. Some restaurants have live music and there are a lot of things happening around town.”

The series was once labeled as just an art crawl, but Falck said the “First Friday” name was added when the development association wanted visitors to know that other events are happening at the same time.

“People know there are art receptions, but there also are all these other things going on that might not directly identify with what an art reception is,” Falck said. “Since we have such a rich culture here in downtown Boone and the High Country, this is just another way the community gets together to celebrate that diversity of arts and cultures. It provides citizens, visitors, students and everyone the opportunity to participate in the arts and see this lively culture.”

Falck noted that the Downtown Boone Development Association aims to support all artists and their various styles.

Most First Friday events take place between 6:30-8 p.m., although some businesses and galleries choose to open earlier or stay open later.

Parking enforcement in downtown Boone concludes at 5 p.m., Falck said, and First Friday art crawl-goers will likely find parking in the King Street lot next to town hall, or in metered spots on Depot and Queen streets.

“There seems to be a lot going on this First Friday and I think we will finally have some good weather, so it’s going to be a good time,” Falck said.

Visit downtown Boone online for more information and a map of the area.

MAY 1 FIRST FRIDAY HAPPENINGS:

• The Uptownon Howard Street will be hosting Appalachian State University’s Industrial Design Senior Art Exhibit. Around 30 students will be showing off works that they’ve spent a whole semester developing. With catered food and music to enjoy, this event will be fun for all ages.
• High Country Souvenirson King Street will be giving away free popcorn from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
• Lost Province Brewing Co.on Depot Street will continue its “Freakin’ Ferkin Friday at Five” with a Mojito Cream Ale and Watermelon Cream Ale. They’re taking Councill’s Store Cream Ale and infusing one with lime and mint and the other with watermelon. Stay for music at 10 p.m. with Dr. Bacon — a genre-defining “Appalachian Funk-Grass” band from Boone. They play an infectiously danceable blend of funk, soul, jazz, rock, blues, folk, hip-hop and more with a Southern Appalachian Bluegrass foundation and instrumentation. They feature diverse instrumentation including: guitar, resonator, banjo, mandolin, harmonica, bass, trumpet, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone drums, trombone, kazoo and more.
• Anna Banana’s on the corner of King and Depot streetswill be rockin’ on Friday night with free face painting by Bailey, refreshments courtesy of the Local, live music outside and dancing for discounts.
• The Jones House Community Center on King Stwill show two new exhibits — mixed-media artist James Davidson in the downstairs Mazie Jones Gallery and photographer Jeffery DeCristofaro upstairs.  Visitors are invited to come by from 6:30- 8 p.m. on for the reception.
• Old World Galleries on King Street will be “Designing and Defining” fine jewelry with local goldsmith Morgan Shaw, who will be present to provide insight and understanding about the process of creating fine jewelry that lasts a lifetime. Grandfather Vineyards will also be there providing tastes of their special local wines. Light refreshments will be provided.
• Rock Dimensions next to Footsloggers on Depot Street will have the downtown climbing wall open. Standing at about 40 feet and centrally located, the top of the tower offers a view of beautiful downtown Boone and the surrounding Appalachian Mountains. The tower has more than 4,000 square feet of varying climbing terrain and offers opportunities for beginners or seasoned veterans. Color-coded routes on the stabs, vertical faces and steep overhangs give climbers a new way to challenge themselves.
• Mast General Store on the corner of King and Depot streetswill be hosting an artist reception and opening for the art class at Green Valley Elementary School. Stop by to see up and coming High Country artists!