First Friday Tips

1. I don't know why the organization's website calls it both First Fridays (plural) and First Friday (singular). It has always been just First Friday, without an "s". The official website is not always updated, being run totally by volunteers. Go with an open mind, and don't get frustrated if there are some changes or surprises along the way.

1. First Friday has grown dramatically over the years. That's great for the downtown Phoenix arts community, but it also means that you probably won't get to see all the art spaces in one evening. That's OK -- they will be there next month.
2. The First Friday attendees are predominantly young people, but all ages can be seen browsing the various galleries.
3. What else is there to do beside visit galleries, art spaces and cafes? Plenty! Various museums and venues open their doors with free admission on First Friday.
4. There used to be several shuttle taking different routes. Now there is one larger route that all the shuttles use. Starting February 2009 the shuttle moved from the Public Library to Phoenix Art Museum. As of 2013, it no longer operates during July. In  August only one trolley is available, so wait times may be longer. Except in August, there are four trolley hubs: Phoenix Art Museum (1625 N. Central), Oasis on Grand (15th Ave. and Grand Ave), CityScape (1 E. Washington St.) and another at Arizona Center (400 E. Van Buren St.). You can park for free at Phoenix Art Museum, subject to availability. Keep in mind that parking meters in Phoenix are NOT free until after 10 p.m. on Fridays.

1. The shuttles constantly circle throughout the evening, stopping at the four hubs in approximate 15-minute intervals. The shuttles start at 6 p.m. and are clean and comfortable. The last circuit is at 9:30 p.m.
2. Crowds are usually sparse at early in the evening, and some galleries might be a bit slow to open right at 6 p.m. Activity picks up between 7 and 8 p.m.
3. The shuttle and galleries map is very useful if you are unfamiliar with the area, or if you don't have a particular destination in mind.
4. At the Phoenix Art Museum, you can get a full First Friday map. They are also sometimes on the shuttle buses, but they may run out later in the evening.
5. Don't count on the Shuttle Bus drivers to be able to give you much information about the stops.
6. There are cafes and other food stops along the way. Why not stop, enjoy a glass of wine or cup of coffee, and then start again?
7. The last shuttle circuit is at 9:30 p.m.
8. If you are on a schedule, or just don't want to take a shuttle, there are places to park along the street nearly everywhere on the First Friday routes, but some may have meters. As a matter of fact, you might not want to depend on those shuttle buses even if you aren't on a schedule. My experience with their dependability has varied.
9. First Friday is an opportunity for people with political beliefs, condos to sell, petitions to sign, or other information to share to be out and about. If you aren't interested, just be polite and say "no thanks."
10. Wouldn't you like to support these artists and businesses and take home a piece of art?