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Events for April 5, 2024

First Friday is celebrated on the first Friday of each month throughout Downtown Raleigh to showcase the best of our city's creative community. Thousands venture downtown to visit art galleries & studios open late to host exhibits, artist talks, and creative activities. Retailers and restaurants also get in on the fun with live music, vendor markets, specials/discounts, and more. There's something for everyone each First Friday. 

Create your own First Friday itinerary by selecting the hearts for events and experiences you don't want to miss. Receive a custom map and itinerary to guide your First Friday evening!

Arts Access Gallery
444 S Blount St - Moore Square District
Jean Gray Mohs - "Woven Strangers"
6pm - 9pm

Arts Access North Carolina launches their new gallery with an exhibition of "woven Strangers" by artist Jean Gray Mohs.

Contemporary artist Jean Gray Mohs, who focuses primarily on painting and sculpture, will be the first artist to display her work – a collection of dimensional acrylic paintings on wood – at the Arts Access Gallery. The “Woven Strangers” collection will be on display from March 1 through May 18 at 444 S. Blount Street, Suite 115B in Raleigh.

Mohs, a North Carolina native who had a double lung transplant, often contrasts materials like maple plywood and waxed thread in her pieces which reflect the interplay of strength and fragility in the face of her chronic illness.

“I’m honored to showcase 'Woven Strangers' at Arts Access, a beacon at the crossroads of arts, education, and disability. My pieces celebrate the beauty, delicate balance, and incredible resilience embodied in the journey of living with chronic illness and past disability.”

Over her career, Mohs has presented her work in more than 20 solo shows, participated in 91 group exhibitions, and contributed to 24 museum and university exhibitions. Her art has graced prestigious venues, including the Contemporary Art Museum, Artspace, and Peel Gallery.

The gallery marks a new chapter for Arts Access North Carolina, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.. The new space shifts Arts Access from an organization that most people know as a partner that helps other arts organizations improve accessibility through audio descriptions, on-site assessments, and training to one that is also promoting inclusivity through this new immersive gallery experience.

The gallery will host four shows throughout 2024. In addition to the spring gallery opening exhibition, there will be a show in summer, fall and winter. For more information about the gallery visit https://artsaccessinc.org/arts-access-gallery/

Burial Beer Co. The Exhibit in Transfer Co. Food Hall
500 E Davie St - Moore Square District
Opening Night: Dana Ayscue with VISUALS Tasting
6pm - 8pm

Celebrated every month in Downtown Raleigh, First Friday puts the best of our vibrant creative community on display. Roll through on Friday, 4/5 to browse our latest gallery by local artist Dana Ayscue and enjoy a VISUALS Wine Tasting

Current Wellness
219 S East St - Moore Square District
First Friday: Intuitive Tea Tasting
6-7pm

Interested in learning a little bit about healing plants? Come explore a mystery medicinal herb at our tea tasting using your sense of taste, smell, and intuition. We can learn so much about how a plant affects us and its healing properties through this experience and it’s a great way to drop into your body and spend an hour tuning in with mindfulness.

Feel free to bring your own mug, if not a paper cup will be provided. We recommend avoiding strong/spicy/alcoholic foods and drinks 60 minutes before the tasting if possible.

Join us at Current Wellness (219 S. East Street) from 6-7pm on Friday, April 5th!

Free event! Registration recommended.

This event is led by Nicole Licato, a nurse practitioner and aspiring herbalist (and a Current Wellness member!). Nicole hopes to offer healing in the community with a more holistic and naturalist approach through her business WitchBeWell.

Designed For Joy
517 W Cabarrus St - Warehouse District
Studio Tours and Shopping at Designed For Joy
5pm - 7pm

Designed For Joy provides women in crisis with stability through immediate employment and support, removing the stigma of vulnerability. To date, we have hired over 130 women with $500,000 in living wages earned.

Shop our brand of leather handbags, jewelry, and home decor and provide living wage work for the next 100 women in Raleigh.

Tour our 5,000 square foot studio and see where and how our products are created.

Explore volunteer opportunities.

Gallery C
540 N Blount St - Capital District
Best of North Carolina 2024
6pm - 8pm

Gallery owner, art historian, and North Carolina native Charlene Newsom employs her broad knowledge of NC art to curate an extensive collection celebrating the best and brightest NC artists of past and present.

The show includes landmark pieces by influential North Carolina artists. Some of the biggest names and most important North Carolina art from the 20th century are included in this year’s show.

Glenwood Fine Art
20 Glenwood Ave - Glenwood South District
Glenwood Fine Art First Friday
6pm - 8pm

First Friday is almost here!! If you missed March’s FF event and new art, join us and check out GFA’S NEW artwork and a few new artists too! We’re excited to have watercolorist Joe Lahita, contemporary artist Constance Pappalardo, and jewelry artist Debbie Lahita. We have new artwork from Cecilia Guiartarte, Linda Hauser, Eileen Hendren, Patricia Pittman, Debbie Sherrod and Lyudmila Tomova.
Glenwood Fine Art gallery is a working art studio and artists will be regularly on site Fridays and Saturdays, Noon - 5 PM. In addition, the gallery will open by appointment or when an artist is painting in the studio. Send us an email to request an appointment

We hope to see you there!!

Please Like and Follow us on Instagram and Facebook too!
https://www.facebook.com/GlenwoodFineArt
@glenwoodfineartgallery

About Glenwood Fine Art
Location: 20 Glenwood Ave
Hours: Friday & Saturday 12 Noon - 5 PM
Other times by appointment or when an artist is painting

Website: glenwoodfineart.com
Contact us: info@glenwoodfineart.com

https://downtownraleigh.org/getting-around/parking

The Green Monkey
215 S Wilmington St - Moore Square District
Urban Pathos Plant Shop Pop-Up At The Green Monkey
6pm - 10pm

Join the owner of Urban Pathos, Jose Harvey, at The Green Monkey this First Friday to learn more about plants and another small business in Raleigh. He will talk and give a demo about plants and caring for them. There will also be plants for sale!

Moore Square
200 S Blount St - Moore Square District
City Beats & Visual Vibes First Friday | Dreamville-Themed Market and Movie Night
5pm - 11pm

Jump-start Dreamville Festival weekend with this free, family-friendly celebration of arts & culture in Moore Square.

  • Full showing of the Marvel movie Black Panther with live remixing of the soundtrack by the Shaolin Jazz group
  • Local vendor market hosted by Black Flea Market
  • Food trucks
  • Live performances & art activities
  • Artistic Guests: Tyler Butler-Figueroa, Leah Laiani, DJ House Freddy Greene, Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School, & Bugg Elementary Step Team
Pop-Up Shops at Martin Street
17 E Martin St - Fayetteville Street District
Sing n' Shop Karaoke Night
4pm - 8pm

Welcome to Sing n' Shop!

Kickstart the weekend at the Pop-Up Shops At Martin Street with Needle & Thread Co. + Art by SRG for a karaoke night and unique shopping!

Come and join us for an evening packed with music, lively performances, and shopping at our Sing n' Shop event located at The Pop-Up Shops, 17 East Martin Street, Raleigh, NC.

Get ready to sing along to your favorite tunes while browsing through a variety of unique hand-crafted items.

Come hungry! Bar food, beer, wine & seltzer will be provided with ticket purchase.

Want to document your time at karaoke night? A personalized photo booth with fun gear will be set up for guests to snap the best memories from the night.

Date: Friday, April 5th, 2024
Time: 4:00 PM- 8:00 PM

Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to enjoy live music, support local businesses, and have a great time with friends or family. Sing your heart out!

Raleigh Podcast Studio
313 E Martin St - Moore Square District
Podcast Studio Tour
6pm - 8pm

Tour Raleigh's First Downtown Podcast Studio. Meet the team and see how we can help you or your business bring your video content ideas to life!!

The Raleigh Wine Shop
317 S Bloodworth St - Moore Square District
First Friday Free Tasting & Food Truck
4:30pm - 8pm

We're welcoming into the shop Francoise Le Calvez, owner and winemaker of Chateau Coupe Roses of the south of France for a free tasting and bar takeover!

Paired with these delicious wines of the Minervois will be True North Poutine Food Truck so you can grab a glass and grab some dinner while you celebrate First Friday with us and our featured artist of the month, Jennifer Clifton. Kick off your April with us at the shop!

Rolley
206 Fayetteville St - Fayetteville Street District
"GO!" a Global Fashion Show
7:30pm - 9pm

Step into the world of fashion at "GO!", a captivating fashion show featuring a dynamic blend of Raleigh's local designers alongside renowned high-end brands like Gucci. Set against the backdrop of both indoor and outdoor runways, this exhilarating event promises to dazzle and inspire. Join us on April 5th from 7:30 to 9:00 PM for an unforgettable evening celebrating creativity, style, and innovation. As part of Raleigh's First Friday festivities, "GO!" marks the second event of "MOUCHE," offering a unique opportunity to experience the intersection of fashion and art in the heart of the city. Don't miss your chance to witness the latest trends and designs from both emerging talents and established fashion houses. Get ready to GO! and embark on a journey of sartorial excellence.

"GO!" A GLOBAL FASHION SHOW
7:30pm - 9pm

Step into the world of fashion at "GO!", a captivating fashion show featuring a dynamic blend of Raleigh's local designers, INCLUDING RALEIGH DENIM alongside renowned high-end brands like Gucci. With performances some of Raleighs most talented artist such as Chu!o, RubyyRedd, Hyyness, and Rome Jeterr. Set against the backdrop of both indoor and outdoor runways, this exhilarating event promises to dazzle and inspire. Join us on April 5th from 7:30 to 9:00 PM for an unforgettable evening celebrating creativity, style, and innovation. As part of Raleigh's First Friday festivities, "GO!" marks the second event of "MOUCHE," offering a unique opportunity to experience the intersection of fashion and art in the heart of the city. Don't miss your chance to witness the latest trends and designs from both emerging talents and established fashion houses. Get ready to GO! and embark on a journey of sartorial excellence.