Friday Night Liberty in Liberty Station is “supersizing,” expanding along with a name change to First Friday Arts District, and First Friday Arts District (((amplified))) for quarterly concerts.
The launch of the inaugural First Friday quarterly event will take place 5 to 9 p.m. on June 7, with the band starting at 6:30 p.m. It will feature live concerts on the grassy North Promenade, along with a craft beer garden and a pop-up market.
June’s First Friday amplified will feature New Reveille, a four-piece Americana band described as “twangy, truck-driving music that runs on classical gas.” Opening for New Reveille will be Nena Anderson with her blues-tinged, Americana music, velvet voice and catchy melodies.
NTC Foundation associate director of marketing and communications Andrew Waltz said the Arts District has come a long way.
“When we started in 2009, the Arts District had seven completed buildings,” Waltz said. “Ten years later, we’ve grown to 45 renovated buildings filled with more than 145 organizations and businesses including art galleries, artist studios, museums, cafés, a food market and more.”
Waltz added the event’s new name, First Friday Arts District, “reflects our new approach to this signature event and puts the focus on the arts, the community and the visitor experience. Now, the First Friday Arts District name says when it is and where it is.”
It’s hoped the improved First Fridays event will have broader appeal.
“We wanted a different narrative to bring in a different audience, folks coming to enjoy the music as well as the art,” Waltz said. “We hope to keep people on their feet with a whole evening of danceable music. They can walk around and visit all the art galleries. We’ll also have local craft vendors, a pop-up market and a beer garden.”
Other attractions:
– Pop-up Craft Market: Will offer an eclectic mix of local fashion and handmade gifts with outdoor spaces showcasing a curated selection of vendors, artisans, and creative activities. The vendor mix will include jewelry designers, candle makers, vintage retailers, local boutiques, fashion and art mixed with live demonstrations and mini-workshops.
• San Diego Dance Theater: Celebrates educational and outreach programs with performances by Aging Creatively students and outreach classes. Performances at 5:30 and 6: 30 p.m. at White Box Live Arts, Building 176 – 2590 Truxtun Rd.
• DanzArts Children’s Academy takes guests on a journey through Mexico and Spain through dance. Performances at 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. near the North Promenade and Barracks 17 Plaza.
• Blue Pearl Art: First Anniversary Celebration: Invites guests to come celebrate their anniversary with flowers. Floral arrangements will be created live and raffled off. All visitors will receive one free entry, plus 20 percent off floral prints and deals on original floral pieces. 5 to 9 p.m. in Barracks 15.
– Anneville Jewelry Lab: Stop by for live Japanese metalworking demos at 6, 7 and 8 p.m.
– Martha Pace Swift Gallery’s new exhibit features Stacie Birky Greene.
– Shop Mingei showcases a special trunk show with master textile artist Sarah Myriam Winston. And San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts Senior Class Art Show.
