It's 'First Friday' in Olde Towne This Friday

This Friday March 5th, it's ‘FirstEvents Weekend’ in Olde Towne, Portsmouth.  The event has grown and has become a joint effort among a number of local businesses.  Participating businesses include those from the waterfront at High Street Landing and along the High Street corridor to Effingham Street.

This weekend local galleries, antique shops, stores and museums in Portsmouth's Olde Towne will come together for the city's most popular monthly evening escapes - 'First Friday'.  Held the first Friday of each month, Olde Towne Portsmouth's arts & antiques community will play host to both casual browsers and serious buyers.  This weekend is no exception with shoppers out for a night on the town.  Numerous galleries, antique shops and specialty stores will participate, with some hosting receptions and exhibition openings. 

Here is an idea of what you can expect this Friday among the local art galleries: 

At High Street Landing, Riverview Gallery will be celebrating their 12th anniversary.  As part of their monthly Olde Towne First Friday celebration for the arts, they will feature a multi-media showing of local and regional artists, who will be interpreting the them.  CELEBRATION!  Good food, wonderful live music, and great art.  As with all events, it is free and open to the public.  Riverview Gallery is located at One High Street at High Street Landing.

Further up High Street, The Visual Arts Center will feature 'The John Miles Runner: Situation Normal' exhibition.  If you have not seen this exhibit, time is running out.  The show runs through March 11, 2010. 

In this solo exhibition, John Miles Runner (Newport News, Virginia) presents large-scale woodcuts and site-specific installations.   The artist works both two- and three-dimensionally and focuses on the social issues of our society including health care, personal identity and public waste.  Through his objective approach, the artist asks viewers to consider the world the way it is and not as they have been culturally guide.  In his prints, simple forms and graphic images are created with course texture and dense color.  Accordion pleating adds dimension and changing imagery. Sculptural work includes interesting and compelling objects.  All are highly poignant and symbolic.  The Visual Arts Center is located at Tidewater Community College, 340 High Street, Olde Towne Portsmouth.

The Courthouse Galleries will have an exciting evening planned.  Three Exhibits.  One Night.  Free Admission.  Enjoy free admission and exhibit openings of '2010 Outdoor Sculpture', 'Trains & Transportation', and 'Illuminations: Tidewater Artists Explore the New'.

Listen to live classical Latin guitar music by Juan Ponce.  Enjoy beverages and light hors d oeuvres.  Art instructor, Lee Gerry Wertheimer will facilitate hands-on, make-and-take artworks using collage and mixed media. 

Here's a look at the three exhibits:

2010 Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit  Emily Smith of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond, VA was the juror for the 2010 Outdoor Sculpture exhibition. 

Her decisions were based on several factors: the characteristics of specific sites, relationship between the overall body of work and artistic quality. Selections reflect a balance of styles, from abstraction to more narrative approaches in materials ranging from stone, glass and steel to wood and wind.

Cast your ballot on your favorite sculpture featured in this historic garden setting (shown right) and help determine the People’s Choice Award for the 'Fifth Annual Outdoor Sculpture' exhibit.  The show runs through October 10, 2010. 

Trains and Transportation  See a working model train layout featuring items from the Lancaster Antique Train and Toy Collection.  A locomotive bell, rear backup light from a steam engine, lanterns, pistons and many rare trains and accessories will delight visitors of all ages.  This show runs through October 10, 2010.

ILLUMINATIONS: Tidewater Artists Explore the New  This annual juried multi-media exhibit offers members of the Tidewater Art Alliance an opportunity to exhibit a body of works  (shown above, top) that represent a developed theme, style or vision.  This show runs through April 25, 2010.

For more information call 757.393.8543.  Presented by The Courthouse Galleries located at the corner of High and Court Street.  Be sure to stop by from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Make sure that you stop by and visit some of Olde Towne's finest antique shops. 

Antique Adventures located at 507 High Street, Nearthebay Antiques located at 310 High Street and Queen Bee’s Antiques located at 425 High Street. 

Way Back Yonder Antiques has added something different this month.  Music will be provided by students from Magnet Program Portsmouth Public Schools from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.  They are located at 620 High Street.

You’ll find a number of stores open during the evening.  Specialty shops open Friday include: 

To celebrate the end of winter, Paperwhyte is having a special Vera Bradley Event.  Buy one bag at regular price and get another bag for half price!  Located at 610 High Street.

Barbara Vincents' N E X T upscale consignment shop features home furnishings, rugs, art, lamps, the unique & unexpected.  They are located at 607 High Street.

Paulette Joseph featuring Faveur Natural Essentials offers an elcectic mix fashion and apparel and gifts. Some of their popular brands include Brighton and Crabtree & Evelyn.  They are located at 614 High Street.

Your ‘First Friday’ event is not complete until you have dined in one of Olde Towne's extensive selection pubs, restaurants and eateries all within a short walking distance with over 20 chef-owned and operated restaurants to choose from.  Some listed below will have live entertainment:

Amore Casual Italian will offer 10% off that persons food bill with a reciept from ANY of the shops downtown. "Lent Specials' on Friday include Tilipia and Salmon.  606 High Street, Olde Towne Portsmouth.  757.337.8382.  Open 11 a.m. to midnight.

Baron's Pub & Restaurant is offering a Happy Hour Specials.  They feature live entertainment from 9:30 p.m. to midnight.  Located at 500 High Street, Olde Towne Portsmouth.  757.399.4840.  Open 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.  

Gosport Tavern will have live entertainment from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. featuring Mink & Cheif on Friday.  702 High Street, Olde Towne Portsmouth.  757.337.0637.  Open 7:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. 

Griff's Restaurant & Sports Lounge will featue live entertainment from 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday.  509 High Street, Olde Towne Portsmouth.  757.606.3990.

Montgomery Grill will feature live entertainment from 9 p.m. to midnight with 'The Unusual Suspects' on Friday and 'Kevin Kelly' on Saturday.  725 High Street, Olde Towne Portsmouth.  757.393.3322.  Open 11:00 a.m. until Midnight.

You'll also enjoy a couple of wine tastings taking place: 

Angry Adam's Wine and Cheese Spot will present a wine tasting to benefit the Virginia Youth Symphony Orchestra.  This Friday, Angry Adams Wine and Cheese Spot (now offering beer as well) and Olde Towne Art are holding a 'Wine, Cheese, Art & Music'.  Take a look at original art painting's, while you sample wine and cheese - while listening to some talented musicians.

This event will be a Layer Cake tasting.  Also, the artists will be auctioning off the work to benefit the Virginia Youth Symphony Orchestra.  Angry Adam's is donating a porttion of the proceeds from the night.  Raffle tickets will be vailable for a $100.00 Gift Certificate to Angry Adam's.  4 p.m. to 8 p.m.  Angry Adam's Wine and Cheese Spot is located at 501 High Street in Olde Towne Portsmouth.  Olde Towne Art is located at 525 High Street.

Brutti’s at 467 Court Street will host a wine tasting at their new Wine Bar from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.  $1 per tasting glass.  Enjoy live jazz featuring 'Drew Darrell and John Kidd Trio' from 7 p.m. til 10 p.m.  Ask about the 'Specials' from Brutti's Kitchen.  By the way, 'Black White Blues Band' performs Saturday night 8:30 p.m. til 11:30 p.m.

About First Friday:  First Friday is held along the seven blocks of historic High Street between Effingham Street and the Elizabeth River the first Friday of each month, rain or shine, year round.  Most shops & galleries are open from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. There is no admission fee for First Friday - participating businesses are open to the public.  The event was started a few years ago by Barbara Vincent, owner of the former Vincent Hester Gallery on High Street.  Shortly after, she was joined by Skipjack Nautical Wares & Marine Gallery and Way Back Yonder Antiques and the event grew.  Other businesses soon joined in and the event has become well-known in Hampton Roads. 

First Friday is part of ‘FirstEvents’ co-sponsored by Portsmouth Museums, Portsmouth Partnership, Olde Towne Business Association, PRHA, EDA and the City of Portsmouth.  This event is promoted by PortsEvents.

The Olde Towne Business Association produces a website on Olde Towne - www.OldeTownePortsmouth.com.    PortsEvents is a registered 501(c)(6) organization to promote events in Portsmouth.  For more information on PortsEvents, go to www.PortsVaEvents.com.

We hope to see you in Olde Towne Portsmouth on Friday.  What a great way to celebrate the weekend in Olde Towne - shop, dine and enjoy!

Click here for 'First Saturday' events featuring the popular 'Antiques to Flea Market"

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Thanks, for reading and sharing...'A New Day in Olde Towne'.

Have a great day!

David Cartier

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