FIRST FRIDAY Art Walk

It is Friday evening and the workweek is over. What next? See a movie? Meet some friends for dinner? Catch up on laundry? How about something new and out of the ordinary? This is exactly what locals are doing every first Friday of the month at San Jose’s own South FIRST FRIDAYS Art Walk. Unlike a typical Friday, San Jose’s art walk is a great way to indulge in street fare, interact with local artists and listen to new tunes you can’t find on the radio.

I recommend beginning your creative adventure by getting a bite to eat at one of the local food trucks. Although a follower on Twitter, I have never had the chance to actually try MogoBBQ. Obviously I had not checked into Twitter that evening because I was overly excited when I stumbled on their food truck parked near the stage. Per Mogo’s recommendation, I ordered two Korean tacos with pork soaked in a sweet barbeque marinade and topped with a fresh slaw and a dash (or two) of Sriracha. For $2 each, my wallet was happy. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for my thighs.

After I wiped the remnants of the savory marinade off my face, I made my way down the Street Mrkt. It was a perfect night with the sun setting, fragrance of food filling the air, and music gyrating through the ground. Adults and children tinker with handmade crafts such as laser cut wood pieces, handmade jewelry, and vintage furniture accents you can’t find at Urban Outfitters. Creativity spills across First St. as artists paint on canvases, thread beading into scarves, and spray paint on the street, all the while, inviting you to take a look at their craft. The sweetest moments were those when children were getting their hands dirty playing with various art materials such as clay, foil and paint. Walking down the Street Mrkt is a unique way to intimately interact with artists.

Once you have made your way through the Street Mrkt, it is time to visit some of the local galleries that go unnoticed on a typical day. On a special night like this, galleries open their doors and invite visitors to explore their inner artist with visual inspirations splashed across the walls. Each gallery either has a DJ, musician or band to set the mood. Each gallery features talented artists who share with visitors their experiences through their art. It is easy to get lost in a painting, as you look deeper into the details. Silicon Valley is known for its innovation and these artists somehow mingle their imaginations with their innovative environments. With a glass of wine in hand and the moon sneaking its way above downtown San Jose, strolling through San Jose’s art district definitely makes for a relaxing and inspiring evening.

Don’t miss the next South FIRST FRIDAY Art Walk which takes place every first Friday of the month. For more information, visit http://www.southfirstfridays.com/ and sign up for their newsletter to receive updates on the next art walk lineup.

And don’t forget we currently have 3 contests going on!
- Sole Society
- Soho Hearts
- VE Salon
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