First Fridays

Artist Demonstrations, Live Music

Special events are scheduled for the first Friday of every month.
If you have questions that aren’t answered here, please call our First Friday coordinator, 979-822-0496
A complete list of events for any specific First Friday will be found on the events calender a week or so ahead of the First Friday.

February First Friday

by Cassidy Barton on February 2, 2012

Lots of great things to see and do downtown and….
art & music, food & friends, of course!

Here are some of the highlights- live music several places both inside and out including the Marian Anderson String Quartet at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, – Square One Gallery’s Jill Pankey demonstrates painting, Favela Foto fundraiser at the Frame Gallery, horse drawn carriage rides, free movie “Thumbelina” and Madden’s food truck at Sale Park, several opportunities to learn about healthy living at info tables…

Shopping and Entertainment
1.    The Frame Gallery, 216 N. Bryan Ave. Original art by many local artists.  Featured Fotos For Favelas fundraiser.  Live music,  6:30 – 9:30, Jazz/Blues with R.G. Watkins & Friends, also Brazilian music by Paolo and Renata, cash wine bar & free art activity. And, outside on the sidewalk, music by ContraDiction! 822-0496
2.    D&S Premier Art & Clocks, 208 N. Bryan Ave., 779-2211
3.    Discount Floors, 200 N. Bryan Ave., Come visit their new showroom! 779-3270
4.    Square One Studio, 211 W. Wm. J Bryan Pkwy, Jill is going to be showing her landscape paintings and demonstrating painting. ffeel free to drop by 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
5.    Corner of Time Antiques & Collectibles Mall, 118 N. Bryan Ave., Antiques & a soda fountain. Pottery wheel throwing & wood carving demos, Valley Junction Band too! 822-7400
6.    Brazos Glassworks, 202b W. 26th St., Watch lampwork demos by Michael Pence and ask about workshops.  823-0325
7.    Jim.n.i., Our Favorite Things, 202a W. 26th St., 823-8000
8.    Downtown Uncorked Wine Bar, 206 W. 26th St., 823-4837
9.    Village Café, 210 W. 26th St., Featured artist this month Felice House.  Live music, Joey McGee 6pm, and then Kathy Ross 8-12pm. 703-8514
10.    St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 217 W. 26th St. Marian Anderson String Quartet performs at 7pm in the sanctuary.  822-5176
11.    StageCenter Theatre, 201B W. 26th St, Neil Simon’s “Last of the Red Hot Lovers”  823-4297
12.    Horse drawn carriage rides by Hidden Oasis Carriage Company,  from the LaSalle courtyard
13.    LaSalle Hotel, 120 S. Main St., Live music Ciara 7-10pm. 822-2000
14.    EarthArt, 209 S. Main St. Art, jewelry, clothing & handicraft of global community. 779-8208
15.    Revolution Cafe & Bar, 211-b S. Main St., Original art & always, live music! Tonight The Hi-Tones,  Featherface, Walking Bear , Chris Clonts, The Ex-Optimists.  823-4044
16.    Visitor’s Center, 213B S. Main St. 6-9pm. 822-4920
17.    Gloria Stephan Sale Park, 28th & Main St. Free movie- Movies by Madden’s, tonight is “Thumblelina”.  And check out the Madden’s food truck’s menu!
18.    Queen Theatre, 110 S. Main St. Stop by and bask in the neon glow! This ongoing renovation is a project of the Downtown Bryan Association.
19.     Southern Grace, Antiques & Almosts, 102 S Main St. 822-7770
20.    Heritage Menswear, 117 N. Main St., 822-6575
21.    String & Horn Shop, 119 N. Main St., 779-8548
22.    Catalena Hatters, 203 N. Main St.  “How Hats are Made” behind the scenes tour. Western art, too!   822-4423
23.    Texas Rose Boutique,  205 N. Main St., 822-4423
24.    Haute Couture- COMING SOON!, 212 N. Main St., Miss Me jerans, Miss Me Couture, Corral boots, etc.  822-3694
25.    DeBord’s by Double J Saddlery, 201 E. 24th St . Check out Lucchese boots, purses, handtooled belts, saddles & tack. 822-4515
26.    St. Vincent de Paul Resale, 300 N. Main St., 823-4369
27.    Burr’s Unfinished Furniture, 314 North Main St. Browse the furniture and also jewelry artist Jackie Palmer’s Sweetheart collection of heart-themed jewelry. Live music outside. 822-7052
28.    James’ Studio 59, 318 N. Main St., 823-8562

A. Brauhaus Bavarian Restaurant, 107 N. Main 775-4014
B. Caffe Capri, 222 N. Main St., 822-2675  Live music nearby outside- Sweet Strings on the Brazos
C. Casa Rodriguez, 300 N Bryan Ave., 779-0916  live music- mariachis!
D. Good Time Charley’s Grill Pub & Sports Theater, 201 S. Main St.  703-8922.
E. LaSalle Café, 120 S. Main, 823-2233 live music!
F. The Lemon Wedge,  308 N. Main St., 703-4052, live music!
G. Longhorn Tavern Steakhouse, 201 E. 24th St., 778-3900
I. Madden’s Casual Gourmet, 202 N. Bryan St., 779-2558
J. Margie’s Grill & Bar, 320 N. Main St., 822-8422
K. Mr. G’s Pizzeria, 201 W. 26th St., 822-6747
L. Murphy’s Law, 107 N. Main St., 775-4014
M. Must Be Heaven, 100 S. Main St., 822-7722
N. Papa Perez Mexican Cuisine, 200 S. Main St., 775-7272
O. San Jose Mexican Restaurant, 414 N. Main St., 823-8157
P. Subway, 100 N. Main St., 823-3147
Q. Village Café, 210 W. 26th St., 703-8514

See you First Friday!

Rock the Republic!

by Cassidy Barton on November 10, 2011

In 2009 five organizers came together to create a unique music and spoken word experience called Rock The Republic (RTR). RTR’09 was a three night event featuring over 100 acts of rock, hip-hop, folk, blues, indie music and HBO Def poets, with an attendance of just over 3,500.

In year two RTR returned to Downtown Bryan with an all new lineup and it’s unique blend of concert length spoken word poetry and music performances. Dancers, visual artists, DJ’s, rock musicians, hip-hop heads and slam poets came together for an exhilarating, uplifting and original event.

This year RTR is going back to it’s roots presenting an intimate two day music and spoken word experience in downtown Bryan. All the latest info here.

Sixth Annual Empty Bowls event, benefitting Brazos Valley Food Bank

by Cassidy Barton on November 10, 2011

Help us raise money for the Brazos Valley Food Bank!

In return for a donation of at least $15:
-you may choose a ceramic bowl created by local potters and artists
-be served a simple meal of soup and bread

-keep the bowl as a lasting reminder of the ongoing problem of hunger throughout the Brazos Valley.

This is the sixth year we have gotten together to do this event here in this community but the idea for the event started in Michigan in 1990 by a high school art teacher. Empty Bowl events have taken place all over the country since then. More info: www.emptybowls.net

Sponsors:
Many individual potters and artists as well as Joy Pottery, Mudcreek Pottery, U Paint It, Brazos Glassworks and The Frame Gallery. Soup and bread will be donated by local restaurants such as Village Cafe, Madden’s Casual Gourmet, The Lemon Wedge, Casa Rodriguez, LaSalle Hotel as well by individuals.

Musicians, too, are donating their time to help us make this a fun event. Joey McGee, R. G. Watkins & Friends and ContraDiction will bere.

First Friday and Texas Reds!

by Cassidy Barton on September 28, 2011

This year, October First Friday coincides with Texas Reds. Should be a fun evening that kicks off a fabulous weekend!
Some of the highlights for Friday-
Free admission!
Free shuttle from Blinn parking lot, 5-11pm !*

Many businesses open late, music and arts demonstrations outside, movie at the festival’s north stage in addition to the festivities of Texas Reds.
A more complete list is found here.

A crowning event of the event (pun intended!), the lights of the Queen Theater’s newly refurbished facade, marquee and crown will be turned ON at 7:30pm. The Downtown Bryan Association started the process with the purchase of the Queen, with the help of many generous supporters, in June 2011.

Be sure to stop by your favorite shop/restaurant/bar while you are downtown!

*Free shuttle all day Saturday, 7am -1am.  Also, the new parking garage will be open- $10.

September First Friday!

by Cassidy Barton on August 30, 2011

Happy back to school, everyone!
Whether you are actually in school or not, it feels good to be getting back into the regular rhythm of the school year.
And we certainly hope that coming downtown for First Friday is part of YOUR regular activities!

Some highlights- free movie in the park, horse drawn carriage rides, music- jazz, bluegrass, indie, arts demos and so much more…

The complete (as we know it now) list of who’s open and what’s happening when, is found here

If you have questions, call 822-0-4920 (Downtown Bryan Association office) or 822-0496 (Greta, First Friday coordinator).

Exciting things happening in Downtown!

by Cassidy Barton on August 25, 2011

Sassy Sheree will be holding a Sassy Shoe Social at The Haswell House on August 26th from 6:00-8:00pm. Come out and enjoy an exciting shoe contest, door prizes, refreshments, and fun! Click here for more information!

StageCenter Community Theater will be having a ribbon cutting and open house on Thursday, September 1st beginning at 4:30pm! Admission is open to all. This is to be followed by a murder mystery dinner beginning at 6:30pm. For more details on this event, click here!

Movies with Madden’s will be back in Sale Park for September First Friday! They will be showing Disney’s “Untangled”. What a great opportunity to come out and enjoy dinner and a movie! To follow Madden’s Mobile Gourmet until then, click here.

Stretch your legs and check out the new walking paths in downtown Bryan at the City-BEAT ribbon cutting happening Friday, September 2nd at 9:30am. It will be taking place next to the Carnegie Library and is open to anyone! Click here for more details!

First Friday CONTEST!!

by Cassidy Barton on August 5, 2011

THANK YOU to everyone who posted comments – they were fun to read. Chosen at random – the WINNER is Karen Gauss! Congrats, Karen and we couldn’t agree with you more about the massive courteous bike rides. Please feel free to stop by Sale Park tonight to pick up your t-shirt or just email us your address and color choice and we will mail it to you! YAY First Friday!

 

Comment below and tell us your FAVORITE thing about First Friday in Downtown Bryan. One lucky winner, chosen at random, will receive a FREE Save the Queen T-Shirt in your choice of blue or red! We’ll post the winner at 5pm today!

August 5 is First Friday!

by Cassidy Barton on August 1, 2011

Hope you’ll come downtown- see what’s new, revisit old favorites, explore a little!
Some highlights:
-Queen Theater’s newly refurbished crown will be on display at Sale Park- stop by and ask about the progress of the Queen’s renovation
-Free movie- “Movies by Madden’s” this month is “Alice in Wonderland”- at Sale Park
-and of course, art and music, food and friends!

For a more complete list for Friday evening, please see the Event calender

Work on the Queen is Underway!

by Cassidy Barton on July 26, 2011

Asbestos abatement and interior demolition has begun inside the historic Queen Theatre in Downtown Bryan. Building Abatement Demolition (BAD) Company, from LIberty Hill, started work on Monday. Terracon Consultants, Inc., out of Austin, are overseeing the abatement portion of the project which is expected to continue through Friday. Building Abatement Demolition (BAD) Company is scheduled to complete demolition the second week of August.Abatement and demolition of the Queen Theatre are the vital first steps in the process of restoring this historic Bryan landmark. Upon completion, the facade will reflect the colors and design of the theater at its 1939 grand opening as the “Queen”. This phase of restoration also includes the repair and reinstallation of the marquee and crown, including neon lighting. The Downtown Bryan Association plans to debut the fully restored facade at the City of Bryan’s Texas Reds Festival, October 7th and 8th.

For more information on the Queen Theatre restoration project and to find out how you can help, please contact Cassidy Barton at 979-822-4920 or via email at executivedirector@downtownbryan.com.

July First Friday is July 1st!

by Cassidy Barton on June 27, 2011

Here are some highlights for July’s First Friday:
-”Movies with Madden’s”- free movie, “Over the Hedge” at Sale Park (sponsored by Barton Law Firm)
-horse drawn carriage rides
-Marian Anderson String Quartet Chamber Music Institute student performances
-and of course, art and live music in several locations!

Hope to see you downtown Friday evening- it’ll be a fun way to start the Fourth of July weekend!

Shopping and Entertainment*

1.         The Frame Gallery, 216 N. Bryan Ave. Original art by many local artists, Open til 10pm. Live music, 6:30 – 10, jazz – R.G. Watkins & Friends (Trent Hanna, Carter Hunt, Doug Hamlin, Randy Watkins), and student groups from the Marian Anderson String Quartet Chamber Music Institute playing in between, cash wine bar & free art activity! And, outside on the sidewalk, ContraDiction! 822-0496
2.         D&S Premier Art & Clocks, 208 N. Bryan Ave., 779-2211
3.         Dixie Tire, 301 W Wm J Bryan Pkwy,. Check out the cars of the Bluebonnet Streetrodders car show, 6 – dark. 775-8473
4.         Corner of Time Antiques & Collectibles Mall, 118 N. Bryan Ave., Antiques & a soda fountain. Pottery wheel throwing & wood carving demos, Valley Junction Band performs! 822-7400

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