Don't Be a Fool! Attend April First Friday!!!

ATTENTION!!! There is so much happening in Downtown I cannot keep up! And you know when the self-proclaimed Curator and Chronicler of Culture declares it, that's a big deal! No seriously, there is a ton of amazing things happening this evening and weekend, that it has become virtually impossible to keep track of it all. So if I am not listing it on here it does not mean it is not happening. Come Downtown and explore for yourself.

As always I want to thank Ryan Reason and Michael Welsh at the Arts Factory for keeping me abreast of what's happening there. Also a huge thanks to all the artists and gallery owners who constantly call, email and text me what they are up to.

Have a safe and absolutely fabulous First Friday!
For more information about First Friday - http://www.firstfridaylasvegas.com/

The Reason Report of happenings in and around 18b Las Vegas' Arts District and Beyond!!!

The Arts Factory has been bringing art and music festivals to the residents of Las Vegas since 1998. Open every day of the week, from the time we roll out of bed, until the time everyone has gone home.


Some parties are just bigger than others.


There is just SO MUCH to do Downtown this Culture Weekend, we can't possibly keep up with reporting all of it. But here are just a few of the great things you can see, do and experience this Preview Thursday, First Friday, Talky Trees Saturday and Bluegrass Brunch on Sunday!!

At the Arts Factory:

Contemporary Arts Center
Suite #120
CAC's 23RD ANNUAL JURIED SHOW
This year the Contemporary Arts Center received over 600 digital submissions for consideration in its annual juried exhibition. Submissions came in from artists located throughout the United States, Europe and parts of Asia, with 47 artists and 52 pieces being selected for final review at the gallery. This years juror was Mat Gleason, Los Angeles art critic, curator, commentator and regular contributor to The Huffington Post’s arts section and a contributor and publisher of the Coagula Art Journal.

OPENING RECEPTION, FRIDAY, MARCH 23rd 6:00pm - 9:00pm
(Awards Ceremony & Jurors remarks promptly at 7:00 p.m.)
Preview Thursday, April 5th · 6:00pm - 9:00pm
First Friday April 6th · 6:00pm - 10:00pm
www.lasvegascac.org

Trifecta Gallery
Suite #135
SO SINCERE by Miguel Rodriguez
Think Super Mario Brothers meets Little Shop of Horrors, then couple that with Louis Jimenez (best known for the bronco riding cowboy sculpture on the grounds of McCarran) and you will have a slight semblance of what the April 5 - 27 exhibition, SO SINCERE is all about.

So Sincere - The Art of
Miguel Rodriguez
Trifecta Gallery

In the Attachment Room we introduce Phil Shafer, the founder of Sike Style Designs and Sikenomics Clothing. Sikenomics has become the number one independent apparel and accessory brand in Kansas City.
Preview Thursday April 5 6:00pm - 8:00 p.m.
(702) 366-7001 E. marty@trifectagallery.com www.trifectagallery.com
Open 7 days a week M - F 11 - 5; Sat and Sun 11 -3

Jenny Valdez Inc. Gallery
Suite 160
Various Artists
During April's Cultural Weekend in Las Vegas, Jenny Valdez Inc. Gallery plans to feature new works from a variety of local artists including Barbara Gomez, Theresa Lucero, Lynne Adamson, Nicholas Walsh Jaye, Jana Lynch, and former Miss Nevada USA Jenny Valdez.
Preview Thursday, April 5, 2012, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
First Friday, April 6, 2012, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
www.JennyValdez.com
alettertojenny@gmail.com

Joseph Watson Collection
Suite 115
Strength in Numbers II, The limited edition art of Lucky Bunny.
Thursday, April 5, 6-9pm
Friday, April 6, 6-11pm
www.josephwatsoncollection.com
info@josephwatsoncollection.com
858-733-2135

Jaikowski Studios
Suite #115 Backroom
Where Las Vegas Entertainment comes alive......*
*From oil and Acrylics to Pen and Inks.......*
*Several new framed works varying in size. *
*Preview Thursday Jan 5 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Friday, **Jan 6** 7:00pm -11:00pm*
*For an appointment or more info: 702-204-9335*
*Jaikowskistudios@gmail.com
*http://www.jaikowskistudios.com/

HellPop!
Studio #105b
Welcome Spring!
When you close your eyes and think of spring, what do you see? Vibrant colors? Magnificent fields of flowers? Maybe...but maybe not! During the month of April, experience the wonders of spring through the eyes of local artists.
April 5, 2012 - April 30, 2012
702.518.0767 maria@hellpop.net

Hiptazmic Studio @The Arts Factory
Studio 105C
Welcome to the hip & wonderful world that is "Hiptazmic"! Steampunk & Aluminum Jewelry & Art by Christine Esposito. Acrylics & Crayon Art by Gabby Esposito and introducing "cANTICS" a wild & wacky collection of character cans by Matt Esposito of Freak Society.
Tuesday - Saturday 11a.m. - 6p.m.
Closed Sunday & Monday
Preview Thursday 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
First Friday 11 a.m. - 1 a.m.
www.Hiptazmic.com
Matt Esposito 325-6333
christine@hiptazmic.com

Hillary Salon
Suite 250
The Art of Hair Design
Transformational, feel-good hair sculpting by appointment
Tues-Sat 10am-7pm
hillary.salon@gmail.com
(702) 525 1053

Christian Gabriel Art
Suite 125
Marine Corps Vet / Art therapy
Unveiling of new piece, also new "Metal Injection" acrylic print (only 5 made) available for purchase
Thursday & Friday, April 5 & 6 - (Thurs 6-10pm, Fri 5-11pm)
www.christiangabrielart.com
christiangabrielart@hotmail.com

Sin City Gallery
Suite 100
QUANTUM VISITS
Painter and sculptor KD Matheson and mixed media artist Alexander Sky will present a dream realm; how one can be in one place and in a second somewhere completely different, jumping from space through the transcendental and multidimensional. Composed of celestial like characters, colors and stimulations, and the occasional shock value, the title of the show and the works therein sit on a mind stretching quasi thought plane of intrigue, supernatural intangibles and multicultural ideologies.
+
Sin City Gallery Mural Project
HONKY TONK ROBOTS
Peter Mengert presents an ingenious mural that represents our robotic nature and its transcendence. On an instinctual level, we are like robots, pre-programmed and reactive to stimuli. Sin City Gallery Mural Project features an array of mural and graffiti artists. Each artist volunteers their time and materials to create temporary works of art on the gallery's exterior wall for your viewing pleasure.
April 5 - May 27
Preview Thursday, April 5 at 6:00 -10:00 pm, ARTIST TALK at 8:00 pm (refreshments are served)
Friday, April 6 at 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm

PeaceNart Studio
Suite #230
New Collection of APH-Chaos and More
3 Baad Sheep-New Furniture Pieces
Opens Preview Thursday and First Friday 6pm April 5th & 6th
closing: April 29th

La Chica Art & Music
107 E Charleston #220
"It's not just a gallery, it's a destination."
call 702-715-2880 for information

http://www.lachicaartnmusic.com/

Around the Neighborhood:

Retro Vegas
1131 S Main Street
Viva Velvet
Inspired by a recent visit from Carl and Caren of Velveteria, the museum of velvet paintings, Retro Vegas curates a small set of Velvets for April's Featured Art Exhibit. Our collection spans the genre from Classic Polynesian to Asian Motifs and a Whimsical "Crying Lion" in between.
Opens First Friday, April 6, at 6:00 pm - continues until April 30.
Mon - Sat 11 - 6 with late hours on First Friday
retro-vegas.com, 702-384-2700

Skin City Body Painting Studio & Boutique
1209 S. Main St.
Las Vegas, NV 89104
Live Latex Body Painting Demo
As they do every First Friday, Skin City Body Painting Studio & Boutique will host a live body painting demo right in the store for all to witness! But this time, even those familiar with the demos will be in for a treat, as Skin City artist Krystle will be using Brand X Latex for a rare latex body paint demo! A collection of photographs by world-class photographer Madison Alexander and a brand new series of "Kiss" paintings by Skin City owner Robin Slonina will be on display in the Studio--all to the spinning tunes of DJ Dan the Man!
Friday, April 6, 2012, 6pm-11pm
www.skincitybodypainting.com
Contact: Robin Slonina
702.431.7546 (Main)
702.885.3777 (Cell)

Theater 7
1406 South 3rd Street
Las Vegas, Nevada 89104
702-568-9663
http://www.theatre7lv.com/

At Emergency Arts on Fremont Street
520 Fremont Street
http://www.emergencyartslv.com/

Tasty Space - http://www.tastyspacelv.com/
Kleven Contemporary - http://klevencontemporary.tumblr.com/
Gamma Gamma - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gamma-Gamma-Gallery/190633677638596
Lit'l Art Bodega - http://www.lilartbodega.com/
USR LIB - http://usrlib.org/

And so much more!

The Michael Welsh Report
New Business in 18b Arts District

Electric Lemonade Shop- vintage wear- 220 E Charleston @3rd St
Gin & Sake productions- photo gallery/studio- 1104 S 3rd St
Retro Vegas- NEW LARGER LOCATION- corner of Main St/Colorado
Better Than New- lifestyle boutique- 1216 S Main St
Cowtown Guitars- new location downtown- 1009 S Main St
CAV- Clay Arts Vegas- 1509 S Main St (formerly Art Bar)
Medussa's- Antiques- SE corner Main St/Colorado
Art Square- new multi-use building opening soon- 1025 1st St
Oryan fine art- gallery- 10 E Charleston Ave
Mericia fine art- gallery- 4 E Charleston Ave
R+D Design- architects- 6 E Charleston Ave

Tasty Space at Emergency Arts

Quantum Visits
Sin City Gallery
New Work by  KD Matheson
and Alexander Sky

Fabulous Downtown exhibition
Curated by Brian Paco Alvarez (that's me!)
At Emergency Arts on Fremont Street

New roving billboard
advertising the arts in Downtown

Nevada Public Radio

For more information on the Cultural Arts in Las Vegas please visit Nevada Public Radio. NPR has detailed listings of many cultural and civic events hosted by area non-profits click on this linkhttp://www.knpr.org/common/psa/listNEW.cfm and if you are planning an event in the next few months, be sure to get your free listing in Nevada Public Radio's Desert Companion magazine by submitting the information here at http://www.knpr.org/culture/eventaddnew.cfm

Have You donated to KNPR? Pledge Now at http://www.knpr.org/index.cfm

Brian Paco Alvarez enculturating Las Vegas into the millennium...