First Friday
- GRID
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First Friday
Is this still a big event in KC? I have not heard much about it. Will probably be staying at Crossroads Hotel and noticed the prices were really low especially for a first Friday. Hoping it's still a thing as it's been a long time since I have been in town for one.
- normalthings
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Re: First Friday
No not really. Smaller than the P&L KC Live concerts
- AlkaliAxel
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Re: First Friday
The one in July was packed for blocks. I'm puzzled why that wouldn't be considered a big event...
But Grid if you're here in town, you'll see for yourself
But Grid if you're here in town, you'll see for yourself
- KCPowercat
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Re: First Friday
Dave would be best to give the details of the politics behind it but from what I've gathered being around for 2 this summer it's like the neighborhood isn't too keen on hosting it but it's become such a known event people come anyways. Galleries are open but not long and not many publicize what they are exhibiting. West bottoms hosts a lot of artists now that crossroads got too pircey for them.
The death of that teen summer 2019 turned the neighborhood off of it and then covid of course so it felt like it just was time to end it.
The death of that teen summer 2019 turned the neighborhood off of it and then covid of course so it felt like it just was time to end it.
- GRID
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Re: First Friday
Bummer. Oh well. I guess nothing last forever.
- KCPowercat
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Re: First Friday
I mean the Star still does a monthly "this first friday" type rundown
https://www.kansascity.com/kc-city-guid ... 50661.html
https://www.kansascity.com/kc-city-guid ... 50661.html
- Cratedigger
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Re: First Friday
Yeah this has been my experience as well. It's still a thing but not quite the same as it used to beKCPowercat wrote: ↑Thu Sep 01, 2022 6:49 am Dave would be best to give the details of the politics behind it but from what I've gathered being around for 2 this summer it's like the neighborhood isn't too keen on hosting it but it's become such a known event people come anyways. Galleries are open but not long and not many publicize what they are exhibiting. West bottoms hosts a lot of artists now that crossroads got too pircey for them.
The death of that teen summer 2019 turned the neighborhood off of it and then covid of course so it felt like it just was time to end it.
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Re: First Friday
There’s a group that basically shut it down. Very nimby people that live in the crossroads that wanted it to only be an arts day.
Never really recovered from that because they have a lot of sway.
Never really recovered from that because they have a lot of sway.
- KCPowercat
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Re: First Friday
To their defense they were being asked to host a city wide event and did not get city level support/funding to host it. I'd probably have wanted it shut down too given that resource demand.
- DColeKC
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Re: First Friday
Well that's like 5,000 people. I'd think anything over 3500 people for first Fridays would be a solid turn out.
- KCPowercat
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Re: First Friday
Hard to measure but I'd say prime FF was way over 5k.
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Re: First Friday
It turned into a monthly street fest, not as much about art last several years for most attending. Would be great to get another tamer street fest going perhaps focused on blues/jazz. Finding location that would allow monthly probably most difficult part.
- DColeKC
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Re: First Friday
Very hard to tell unless someone pays for the data. I think at the peak popularity it was for sure over 5k.
- DColeKC
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Re: First Friday
And there's the problem. If it's solely about the art, most of the bars and food places won't do that well. When it turned into the big street party all the bars and restaurants crushed it but it came with issues.
If I were involved in leadership over there, I would be cautions about going back after the street festival idea and dictating the music direction. You'll 100% get backlash and accused of keeping certain people away.
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Re: First Friday
Sure, and they opposed that.KCPowercat wrote: ↑Thu Sep 01, 2022 12:37 pm To their defense they were being asked to host a city wide event and did not get city level support/funding to host it. I'd probably have wanted it shut down too given that resource demand.
- AlkaliAxel
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Re: First Friday
Well how about you guys go check it out tomorrow and see what you think
- DColeKC
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Re: First Friday
Only if I can see KCPowercat painting his latest masterpiece!AlkaliAxel wrote: ↑Thu Sep 01, 2022 3:36 pm Well how about you guys go check it out tomorrow and see what you think
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Re: First Friday
I live there. I’m there every month.AlkaliAxel wrote: ↑Thu Sep 01, 2022 3:36 pm Well how about you guys go check it out tomorrow and see what you think
- KCPowercat
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Re: First Friday
Yeah I'm there every weekend I'm in KC I'm not sure the request
- AlkaliAxel
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Re: First Friday
Oh, didn't know you lived outside of KCKCPowercat wrote: ↑Thu Sep 01, 2022 4:43 pm Yeah I'm there every weekend I'm in KC I'm not sure the request