As we slip through the winter with anticipation of tax rebates and sunshine, it may be wise to celebrate what really works in our lives — Art. All kinds: Visual and performance; projects done by students and masterpieces crafted by professionals; full blown concerts and pick-up bar bands; exhibits of famous photographers and one-night stands in local galleries. It’s your choice. It’s your evening. Art Works. First Friday, March 5 in the downtown Canton Arts District.
Kick off the night at 5:30 p.m. at TEAM ARTS – the starting whistle of the 12-week Annual Arts Campaign, held at the Canton Palace Theatre and offering free food and fun including performances by the Timken H.S. Marching Band, VOCI and the GlenOak cheerleaders. Then, stick around for St. Pet’s Day, the annual Celtic celebration (from 7-10) benefiting Stark Animal Rescue Groups and featuring Irish crooners like Lisa Spicer, Ashley Brooke Toussant and performances by the MacConmara Irish Dancers and the Moonflowers.
Other vocal performers through the District include Becky Daly at Carpe Diem, John Stipe at Fideli’s, Scott Paris at Anderson Creative and Seeking Stoic at AGoG Teen Gallery, plus live jazz at the Blue Olive, and the Canton Symphony Chamber Singers strolling and singing through the streets. And if footwork strikes your fancy, stop by and see how Mariah, a belly dancer, works things out at the Renkert Building while the First Friday Swing Dance gets the job done at the Metropolitan Centre Ballroom.
Twenty-eight working artists will debut the 28 Variations Project at Anderson Creative, while Dylan Atkinson, Mark Ball and Joseph Close paint LIVE at Iris. The Dreg Spot (in 2nd April Galerie) will debut its multi-media exhibit, “Static Vision,” White House Studio (also in 2nd April) will do pet painting demonstrations, and ACME Artists will be blowing out the candles and the stops for their 3rd birthday.
Youngsters and their parents can take part in Alice in Wonderland, an audience participation play from the Players Guild Theatre’s Page to Stage at the Kathleen Howland Theatre (6:00 p.m.). Other family fun includes kids’ crafts by Aultman’s Wellness on Wheels at the Rotary Club, crafts at the American Red Cross and free caricature drawings by artist Scott Hall at Community One Credit Union. For spoken word enthusiasts, a Neruda poetry & concert preview from Canton Symphony Orchestra conductor Matt Brown (7:00 p.m.) and the Poetry Showcase and contest (registration at 7:30 p.m.) will take place at the Kathleen Howland Theatre.
The work of many photographers will be for sale and on display: A Studio features Jacob Bruckner and Kristin Riecheson; Julz will feature work by Steve Ohman; Bad Girlz Jewelry will exhibit the Spring Promises photo series, and a special collection from world renowned Steve McCurry will be on the walls of the Joseph Saxton Gallery of Photography.
And since work is a key theme … don’t forget to eat downtown and tip your servers. Food, too, is an art.
For complete information and a downloadable map about Art Works – First Friday March 5 visit www.cantonfirstfriday.com.
Downtown restaurants sweeten the evening by offering chocolate specials like Arcadia’s decadent chocolate dessert; Bender’s chocolate martini; Canton Club’s chocolate fondue; Pete’s Grille’s mini buckeye sundae; Iris’s mocha pot de crème; Desert Inn’s baklava with chocolate sauce; Picciano’s specialty chocolate drinks; and a complimentary Snuggie (to drink) at Julz, for chocolate lovers over 21.
fun and flair with ice sculptures, fire hoop dancing & twirling, live music, new art exhibits, and snowflake crafts for the kids.
Judi Krew will have her work shown at The Red Ribbon Connection (221 5th Street NW), Joe Martino’s art will be at Julz, and sculptor Chris Wurst will be on site with demos at Sarafina.
Kids will want to get to 2nd April Galerie from 5-7 pm to meet legendary Christopher Pop-In-Kins, then skip around to enjoy holiday crafts compliment of Illuminarts at Zephyr Wind Art; ornament-making session with Aultman Wellness on Wheels at the Rotary Club (217 – 2nd Street NW); an Art to Wear project at Lynda Tuttle’s on 6th street; face and body painting with Community One Credit Union; and a free showing of “The Polar Express” at 7:30 p.m. at the Canton Palace Theatre.
Market Avenue locations will feature original art by Erin Mulligan (Julz, 220 Market Ave. N.); Photography by JW Cooper and Irish folk music by Becky Daly at Carpe Diem ( 215 Market Ave. N.); the Little Chicago Band playing at Customer Appreciation Night at A Cobbler (213 Market Ave.) and face-painting at the Red Cross ( 525 Market Ave. N.). VOCI singers will entertain at the Canton Women’s Club at 6:30 p.m., the same time as The Canton Palace Theatre preview of the “Old Fashioned Canton Christmas Show” at 6:30 p.m. Earlier in the evening, at 5:30 p.m., VOCI’s handbell choir will be featured at First Stop First Friday at the Canton Museum of Art (1001 Market Ave. N.), as they host a photo exhibit of images from the Pro Football Hall of Fame and their monthly reception with About magazine.
