Weekend Fun

Posted on 04. Jun, 2010 by Tony Arranaga in News

UPDATE: links to Google Transit, Ollie the Trolley and Lola’s last night in business

Cool refrigerator art, traveling with strangers and live music. These are just a few of the events on my radar in this edition of First Friday Weekend Fun along the light rail.

Friday June 4th

Another fantastic exhibit at After Hours Gallery, located near McDowell and 1st Avenue, just west of the McDowell light rail station. After Hours is teaming up with local utility company SRP to bring you Fridge-A-Thon, which features 15 uniquely painted recycled refrigerators. According to the release, recycled refrigerators were given to some of the Valley’s best artists and local celebrities to help promote the idea of appliance recycling. The cool fridges and artists will be on hand tonight from 7PM to 10PM. In addition to the great refrigerators, there will be live music, cool beverages and an information center where you can learn all about the importance of appliance recycling. This show is also being billed as ‘kid friendly’, so bring the family!

Over on the other side of downtown, Tyson Crosbie makes his debut at Alta Phoenix Lofts with his Phoenix 22 Exhibit. Crosbie’s work is the third in a series of abstract-observational photography which captures objects found in and around Phoenix. The pieces on display are also for sale and would make a lovely addition to your home or loft! The gallery at Alta Phoenix Lofts is located at 4th and Pierce, approximately six blocks east of Central Station.

Another shutterbug event, New Art Work by Sean Deckert, will feature one of my favorite light rail series called Traveling with Strangers. The series captures some of the typical riders of our METRO light rail system in Phoenix. If you haven’t seen that series on the web, then tonight is your chance to stop by Fair Trade Cafe (across from the Roosevelt Station) and see the work in person.

Saturday, June 5th

Lola Tapas will close its doors this weekend and go out in grand style with a celebration including music by one of my favorite local DJ’s World Famous Rani G. Why is Lola closing? According to Chef Eric Gitenstein on the Facebook event page:

We used to live in a world where “word of mouth” could sustain a restaurant. Although small, Lola was very fortunate to succeed for as long as we did by this ideal. Now our wold is different. Our merit cannot compete with larger restaurants, promoted by PR firms that constantly remind you of their presence. This, more than ever is an era where saying, “I’ve been meaning to go there” is not enough. Intent does not save local businesses, action does. If you’ve found a local gem, support it by being a patron, otherwise we will be just a city of chains and mediocre food.  -Lola Chef Eric Gitenstein

The invite says the event ends at 10pm, so just pop in at some point during the night and say goodbye to a CenPho favorite. The restaurant is located at 800 E. Camelback. Take your bike along with the light rail! Deboard at Central station and head east to 7th Avenue, Lola is one block east of that on the north side of the street.

UPDATE

Riding your bike to First Friday? Be sure to use the Bike Valet at Roosevelt and Central.  Need help getting around once you’re here?  Try using Ollie the Trolley, or plan your trip on the light rail using Google Transit.

Also on my radar this weekend:

Before you head out to First Friday, enjoy a beer from the Downtown Phoenix Public Market and listen to live music at Royal at the Market.

I had such a blast last Sunday night at SideBar’s Retro Hi-Fi, I’m sure this weekend will be equally as fun!

That’s about it from here, what’s on your hit list this weekend in downtown Phoenix?

Tags: events, First Friday, METRO light rail, Phoenix, PHOENIX LIGHT RAIL, things to do