December's First Friday

The buzz in San Jose’s SoFA District Friday night was palpable. With the exception of those hoping to catch a glimpse at gossip star Kim Kardashian during her visit to new club Wet, the excitement was due to the last First Friday event of the year.
The first Friday of each month in the SoFA District is packed with people attending galleries and cafés showing new artists, DJs playing music sets, and live art exhibits at different venues.
December’s event was a special one with multiple gallery openings and holiday related events. At Anno Domini, attendees wait all year long for the holiday sale, quaintly coined “Fresh Produce”
This year’s ‘Fresh Produce’ boasted international artists from Spain, Israel, and Brazil as well as local artists. Arriving first is pivotal to ‘Fresh Produce’ as the modus operandi is ‘pay and pull.’ All of the pieces were tagged with the artist’s name, the name of the piece and the price. Hung from the wall with a clip, the purchaser pays for the piece and removes it from the wall, and is able to take the piece home. Unlike some larger galleries, where you have to wait for your piece to be delivered, this process allows for easy access to the art.
However, the easy access isn’t what draws the crowds, it’s the price. The pieces at ‘Fresh Produce’ range from two dollars to $250, but no higher. A majority of those that attend are part of San José’s under thirty crowd, and the low price for a piece by a budding artist is one reason to get to the gallery before a Friday night of partying begins.
On S. First St. between San Carlos St. and San Salvador St. the sidewalks were filled with people. Some attended Café Trieste for a cappuccino and the monthly performance from Opera San José. Others attended The Agenda nightclub’s sister club The Cellar for the monthly electro dance party ‘The Workout.’ More were on their way to these events and couldn’t help but stop and notice the artists doing live art in front of Phantom Gallery 386 & 388 South First.
The crowd that was drawn to the South First event was a mix of young and old, hip and un-cool, all coming together to share an appreciation for art.
At South First Billiards, the crowd was bombarded with multiple options upon entering the venue. In the first room was a DJ and later a comedian. In the second room, the walls were adorned with pieces, and in the center two artists were painting live. The artists were deep in concentration, but couldn’t help but bob their heads to the music. The third and main room was packed with those playing pool, surrounded by hundreds of pieces of art hanging around the perimeter.
If you are attending First Friday for the first time or if you are a recurring participant, the schedule is always changing and lends a pleasant surprise each month.

Here is a map of participating First Friday Venues and their events.


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