At first glance, one who hasn't experienced it yet might think First Friday is just a collection of gallery and music events spread over a wide range of venues for some Friday after-work fun and relaxation. However, I think it's time to officially recognize that First Friday has begun to be more than the sum of its parts--there is a cultural gravity and camaraderie that has developed that can't be planned or designed; it either happens or it doesn't--and it's time to use this energy to push our arts and entertainment scene forward, for both artistic achievement and economic benefit.
Even the construction obstacles in the 100 block of Gay Street weren't stopping the crowds for a still-chilly March evening. I overheard a group of out-of-town visitors marveling over the scene as they heard about the history of the 100 block and its mysterious underground. At Downtown Gallery, Robert Creamer's amazing scanner-produced photographs, which I loved, were drawing a big crowd, as were exhibits in the Emporium Building and other galleries up and down Gay Street. Roots music here, some jazz there, a little folk over there--the joy of eclecticism was palpable.
Even operetta had a venue. At the S&W Grand, the Knoxville Opera Company had a shoulder-to-shoulder audience for their singers from the upcoming production of Gilbert & Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance: tenor Marc Schreiner, bass Julian Rodescu, and Knoxville's David Keith (who is portraying The Pirate King). Maestro Brian Salesky was accompanying them on the restaurant's grand piano.
My point is that this eclectic music and art scene is one of Knoxville's unique assets. The question is whether we, as Knoxvillians, can recognize the potential magnetism the scene possesses for drawing both economic benefits and creative contributors...and using it to really create something bigger than the sum of its parts. I'm betting on it.
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