The Spirit Of Art Is Surely Alive At Galeria De Los Muertos
If you’re not a fan of First Fridays crowd, Roosevelt Row is hosting virtually the same event, except it’s on the third Friday of each month. Don’t worry about your favorite local artist not being there; if an artist is on the roster for First Friday, they must attend Third Friday as well.
Cindy Dach, executive director of Roosevelt Row, CDC, explains that “Third Friday is less about the crowds and the people watching; it’s focused on the art in the galleries — meeting the artist, celebrating an opening reception … where as First Friday is an arts walk, and it’s as much about the art in the spaces as it is the art on the street — the crowd, the performances, etc.”
“Roosevelt Row’s goal is to become a destination more than one night a month,” Dach says.
However, she says the “attendees are resistant” to transition into nights outside of First Friday because most attendees enjoy attending more crowded events.
“The community needs to be part of the process and not just wait for the end result,” she says. “It’s a transformation that will happen in partnership with the galleries, businesses, restaurants and the community at large.”
Galeria de los Muertos: One-Year Anniversary
At October’s Third Friday extravaganza, there will be a special event celebrating the one-year anniversary of the Galeria de los Muertos. The gallery combines traditional Mexican macabre art with rowdy events, and its birthday party will prove no different.
The infamous Dr. Reverend Stephen Strange, leader of the Strange Family Circus, will be hosting the event. It also happens to be the opening of the gallery’s Dia de los Muertos exhibit and the debut American exhibition of award-winning Italian artist Natascia Raffio.
Strange has been a major part of the Phoenix art community for years, and as the ringleader of The Strange Family Circus, his blend of freak and funk is what ultimately lead to his hosting of Galeria’s first anniversary.
The Stange Family Circus — or as an audience member dubbed “Penn and Teller meets Jackass meets Cabaret” — will also be performing their sideshow act, reminiscent of early 20th century circus road shows.
Other events include a fashion show by local Phoenix designers, such as MissConstrued, Modified Minds and El Vaquero Muerto, an art raffle benefiting the Brenda Casten Leukemia fund and a fire dance by Burden Blossom, which will complement Romantasy Cabaret’s sensual burlesque act.
Photographer Tommy Pemberton, who will be running a photo booth, is delighted to be part of the celebration because the gallery has held his attention from the moment he walked in.
Catering will be provided by the Tamale Store and Mama Toledo’s pies, for a night of food, fun and funk.
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If You Go: Galeria de los Muertos
905 N. 5th St.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
(818) 802-2002
galeriadelosmuertos.org
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For more info on Roosevelt Row and a calendar of upcoming events, visit their website.
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