Philadelphia comes alive every First Friday. The First Friday of every month is a cultural event where galleries and shops stay open late and hold opening receptions for their current exhibitions, often offering refreshment and live music. Once recognized as an exclusively Old City event, many other Philadelphia neighborhoods have made it a city-wide party. Old City is still your best bet, as you can wander down 2nd and 3rd Street and stumble upon the highest concentration of galleries. Here are some events to check out this First Friday, February 1st. For a full list of Philadelphia galleries click here.
Bollywood Party: This Art After 5 event features vocalist and performer Bikram Singh. Every First Friday the Philadelphia Museum of Art features international music in the Great Stair Hall with drinks , dancing and light fare. The reigning "King of Bhangra" takes listeners on a journey to India through authentic folk beats.
When: February 1st
Where: The Philadelphia Museum of Art
Pig Iron Theatre Co. Presents "Hog and Kisses: To get you in the spirit of Valentines Day, Theatre group Pig Iron presents their annual fundraiser, Hogs and Kisses, a raucous, rock and roll cabaret dedicated to the topic of Love and it's pitfalls.
When: February 1, 2013
Where: The Trocadero, 1003 Arch Street
Walking With The Dutch Giant, A Benefit for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Honoring Justin Van Hoy: Space 1026 is recognized as a flagship for underground Philly Arts. Justin Van Hoy was a close friend of 1026 members and an accomplished young artist, designer, curator and galerist. In November he passed away after a battle with Leukemia. Walking With The Dutch Giant is a benefit in his honor local and national artists have donated art work to be auctioned off. This is a great opportunity to buy something beautiful for a good cause.
When: February 1, 2013
Where: Space 1026, 1026 Arch St.
AIGA Philadelphia Presents MAPnificent: The Philadelphia chapter of AIGI, the American Institute of Graphic ARts, presents MAPnificent. This limited exhibition opens February 1st. Artist use maps in unique ways to express their point of view. The exhibition features social commentary through paintings, sculpture and works on paper.
When: February 1, 2013
Where: AIGA Philadelphia, 72 N 2nd Street
The Rise And Fall of Prohibition: Art in The Age of Mechanical Reproduction, a boutique in Old City, in conjunction with the National Constitution Center present an exhibition of prohibition in Philadelphia. There will be photographs from the prohibition era as well original works by Philadelphia Artist H Krall.
When: February 1, 2013
Where: Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction
Vox Populi: Vox Populi is an "artist collective that works to support the challenging and experimental works of under-represented artists." The large warehouse studio in the heart of Chinatown will be debuting the works of four Philadelphia artists that run that gamut from sculpture to multimedia.
When: February 1, 2013
Where: Vox Populi, 319 11th Street 3rd Floor