It's Spring! Plan Now for April's First Friday Events

On Friday April 2nd, it's ‘FirstEvents Weekend’ in Olde Towne, Portsmouth featuring 'First Friday'. 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 is the weekend that local galleries, antique shops, stores and museums in Portsmouth's Olde Towne 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 have it's monthly First Friday opening reception for the April art show, BLOOMING, on the first Friday evening of April 2nd. Great live music, food, and art, all in the beautiful historic Seabord Railway building at One High St. Artists from Richmond to North Carolina will be displaying paintings, photography, and sculptural work depicting the beauty in world of flowers. This event is free and open to the public from 5pm to 8pm.

Further up High Street, The Visual Arts Center of Tidewater Community College plays host to their 39th Annual Student Art Show. Featuring over 200 works by more than 100 students, media include drawing, painting, photography, glass, ceramics, sculpture, computer generated imagery and mixed media. Works were created for art classes since last May, and represent program courses in Fine Arts, Photography, Graphic Design, Pottery and Glassblowing. The event runs through April 25, 2010. Brian Kreydatus, Associate Professor of Art, and Chair of the Department of Art and Art History at The College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, is this year’s judge. The Awards Presentation will take place Saturday, April 10, 2010, 11 a.m., at The Commodore Theatre, 421 High Street, Portsmouth. During the event, Kreydatus will present over $4,600 in awards in recognition of artistic excellence. The Opening Reception will follow the presentation of awards at noon at the Visual Arts Center.

The theme for 'First Friday' at The Courthouse Galleries is 'The Courthouse, Inside & Out'.

Skye Zentz, an acoustically soulful multi-instrumentalist from Norfolk, will perform at the Courthouse Galleries. Skye has been a creator of songs since she was 3 years old and played guitar since the age of 16. By 21, she had picked up the ukulele and finished writing all the songs that would make it on her first album, Legitimate Bohemia. Skye received nominations for "Acoustic/Folk Artist of the Year" and "Album of the Year" at the 2008 Portfolio Music Awards. Her songs are honest, thoughtful and easy to relate to.

Jim Keiper and Dick Hamilton of the Tidewater Division of the National Model Railroad Association (NMRA), will provide a basic introduction to Tidewater railroad history and the transformation from steam to diesel along with discussing modular layout building and prototypes. Examples of historically accurate models will be on display during their presentation and discussion. A free 6-month membership will be available for anyone who wishes to join the NMRA. Both Keiper and Hamilton have been train enthusiasts since childhood.

Enjoy free admission and three great exhibits of '2010 Outdoor Sculpture', 'Trains & Transportation', and 'Illuminations: Tidewater Artists Explore the New', which features local artists within the Tidewater Art Alliance (TAA). Here's a look at each of 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 are located at the corner of High and Court Street. Be sure to stop by from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

This month in the window at Olde Towne Art there will be the paintings of Laura Tovar Dietrick, Sarah Hanson and Betty Cornwell Estrada. These three women are some of the finest local artists around.

Stop by for the opening of this new show on April 2nd from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

There will be plenty of food and drinks, and great music from the well-known performer Warren Seaburg.

While in the gallery, you'll be able to see the works of the other 23 resident artists.


Perhaps you'll sign up for an art class, or take home a beautiful original work of art. Olde Towne Art is located at 525 High Street.


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, Queen Bee’s Antiques located at 425 High Street and Way Back Yonder Antiques located at 620 High Street.

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

Spring into Summer at Paperwhyte with their Vera Bradley Sale. "Buy a large Vera Bradley Tote Bag (selected styles) and get a Virginia Beach beach towel or flip flops at half price". Plan now for that special graduation gift or your summer vacation! The sale is Friday and Satuday, April 2 & 3, 2010. 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. 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. 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. Open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Montgomery Grill will feature live entertainment with 'Undercurrent' on Friday April 2nd and with 'Ted Doty' on Saturday April 3rd. All performances start at 9:00 and go until midnight. 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 'First Friday Wine Tasting' featuring wines by Cobblestone Cellars from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Angry Adam's Wine and Cheese Spot is located at 501 High Street in Olde Towne Portsmouth.

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.


Interested in seeing a first run movie in a unique dining setting? The Ghost Writer (PG-13) is now showing at The Commodore Theatre starring Ewan McGregor, Pierce Brosnan. This is a luxuriously restored 1945 Art Deco style motion picture theatre presenting first run films with a fine dining restaurant within the main auditorium. Shows are daily at 7 p.m.; matinees Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday at 2 p.m. Same day ticket sales, in person, at the boxoffice. 24 hour Theatre & show information: 757.393.6962. The Commodore Theatre is located at 421 High Street, Olde Towne Portsmouth.



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.

Have a great day!

David Cartier
Starboards