(Here is an article I wrote for my paper I do at work, I thought I would share it with you all)

   How many times have you caught yourself complaining that our downtown (Phoenix) is boring. Everything closes at 5:00, nobody is ever outside walking around. It’s nothing but offices and business people? Well if you’ve read anything online on Downtown Development you should know that is starting to change. For at least one night a month, our downtown comes alive with music, performances, art, shopping, and enough people walking around to make you question you’re even in Phoenix.

    What? People downtown and there isn’t a game going on? Yes. It’s called First Friday’s. It is recognized as one of the largest of its kind around the country. The great thing about it is there is a little something for everyone. So you’re not into the kind of art that you would hang on your wall? They have music all over and small unique shops where you can find rare items not available for sale in the big box retailers (Wal Mart, Target) that make great gifts for the person hard to shop for.

     In addition there are plenty of great little places where you can eat, drink or just sit back and watch the people go by.

     Also with the recent addition of the ASU in downtown the students get involved by showing student films on first Friday on campus which is open to everyone.

     Of course if your used to having a great time somewhere on Friday night, you know your going to have to shell out some money. But not for First Friday’s. Everything is free. The artists make their money by selling their art. So if you need to decorate your place and want something original that nobody else would have or something you wouldn’t find in the home section of Target, this is the place to go. Be warned though! If you go to First Friday’s, you’ll find yourself wanting to go back again and again. See for yourself! The next First Friday this March 2nd!

Check out this link: First Friday’s

Originally posted: Feb 28th, 2007