Culture Clash

What to do in Las Vegas after you’ve been serenaded by Celine, mystified by “Mystere” and punked by Penn & Teller?

Follow the crowds downtown to First Friday, Sin City’s monthly mash-up of art, music, food and fun.

Now in its 11th year, First Friday features more than 100 artists, food vendors galore, music on four stages, and adult refreshments.

What it doesn’t offer are green-felt tables, one-armed bandits and that drink-till-you-drop ethos that fuesl the usual night life scene in Sin City.

“The mission at First Friday is more along the lines of ‘what happens in Vegas is spectacular,’” said First Friday spokesman Charles Ressler. “We’re much more driven toward culture and art.”

Things can get outrageous. In a nod to Burning Man, the crew at First Friday — under the watchful eye of an engine company from Las Vegas Fire and Rescue — torched a 20-foot-tall wooden showgirl named Lucy.

First Friday takes place 5 to 11 p.m. in the downtown Arts District, just north of the Stratosphere and south of Charleston Boulevard. About 20,000 people — mostly locals but increasingly out-of-towners — attend each event, held on the first Friday of the month. The next is June 7.

Since its inception, First Friday was a hit with locals but struggled to stay afloat financially. In late 2011, the event went on hiatus. Its future was uncertain until an investment group headed by Zappos CEO (and downtown booster) Tony Hsieh purchased the trademark and put First Friday on firmer financial footing.

It’s now a much bigger showcase for the kind of independent, creative talent that a lot of visitors don’t even know exists in Las Vegas. Expect high culture, low culture and everything in between.

Inside colorful tented booths you might find oil paintings that could occupy a proud place over a living room sofa, hardback novels repurposed as ladies’ handbags, or necklace pendants made from crushed Gerber baby food lids.

Music offerings appeal to varied tastes. Some attendees jam to a deejay spinning house music while others mellow out to a solo cellist.

First Friday is family-friendly. There’s a “kids’ zone” with free activities for youngsters and a “green zone” with yoga classes, health-and-wellness info, and tips on conservation.

Admission is free. Free parking and shuttles are available at the Clark County Government Center and other lots. There is paid parking within walking distance of the event.

—Anne Burke, Brand Publishing Writer