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.

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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June Art Step/First Friday!

by Cassidy Barton on May 28, 2011

Here are some highlights of the June 2011 Art Step
(followed by the evolving list of who will be open and what’s going on):
Arts Council of Brazos Valley and some of their affiliate organizations are featured as well as

  • Art exhibits and demonstrations- The Frame Gallery, Forsyth, Village Cafe, St. Andrew’s Episcopal, Arkitex Studio
  • Live music- jazz, 70′s, blues, bluegrass, classical, and more
  • Farmer’s Market and horse drawn carriage rides!

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May’s First Friday

by Cassidy Barton on May 4, 2011

We are kicking off May with a jam packed First Friday. There are some new additions to our usual First Friday lineup, movie in Sale Park and Viz-a-GoGo exhibition, and all of your favorites, Horse drawn carriage rides, lots of art & music, food & friends, will still be going on Downtown this month. Read below all the details. [click to continue…]

ArtStep First Friday!

by Cassidy Barton on March 3, 2011

Three times a year First Friday goes into superhero overdrive and becomes ArtStep! For those of you who have not had the chance to attend an ArtStep event, it is a First Friday in Downtown Bryan with an even greater emphasis on arts and culture and a double dose of live music, artist demonstrations, performances and art on display. This month’s ArtStep features many groups from Blinn College and Texas A&M University. Below is a listing of Downtown shops and restaurants that are participating in the March ArtStep event:

Shopping and Entertainment

1. The Frame Gallery, 216 N. Bryan Ave. Original art by many local artists.Open til 10pm. Live jazz, 6:30-9:30, with R.G. Watkins & Friends, cash winebar & free art activity! 822-0496

2. Arts Council of Brazos Valley info table, 214 N. Bryan Ave. 696-2787

3. Perry Lofts, 208 N. Bryan Ave., Tour the brand new lofts, now available forlease, find out about the rooftop solar array. Art on exhibit by Brazos ValleyArt League 575-5637

4. D&S Premier Art & Clocks, 208 N. Bryan Ave., Paintings, grandfather &mantle clocks! 779-2211

5. Corner of Time Antiques & Collectibles Mall, 118 N. Bryan Ave., Antiques& a soda fountain. Brazos Spinners & Weavers Guild & Living Water Potteryboth demonstrating! 822-7400

6. Brazos Glassworks, 202b W. 26th St., Ask about upcoming classes, watchdemos- Mary Makela (lampwork beads) and Rebecca VonGonten (preciousmetal clay). 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 EricWalley, “Pieces of Me”. Live music- from 6-8pm Cube, 8-11pm, KaranChavis. Kaboom, mascot of Brazos Valley Bombers, and batting cage, too.And look for the Order of Aggie Illusionists- they’ll be out and about amazingpeople with their magic tricks! 595-8957

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First Friday is On!

by Cassidy Barton on February 5, 2011

Hello all you wonderful folks trying to keep warm! In case you were curious as to the status of First Friday….it is on! While the outdoor performers opted to reschedule (obviously), we still have a lot of great stuff happening indoors. The Village, Frame Gallery and LaSalle Hotel are just a few. If you’ve got a bit of cabin fever and are thinking of braving the cold…come on down! Keep in mind that the roads are still a bit slick in places – please use caution on the roads and get here safely! Below is a listing of tonight’s events:

Shopping and Entertainment
1. The Frame Gallery, 216 N Bryan Ave, Celebrating our 10th Anniversary!
Original art by many local artists, Open til 10pm. Live jazz, 6:30-9:30,
with R.G. Watkins & Friends (Ken Frazier, Carlos Puig & Randy Watkins).
cash wine bar & free art activity! 822-0496
2. Perry Lofts, 208 N. Bryan Ave., Tour the brand new lofts, now
available for lease, find out about the rooftop solar array. 575-5637
3. D&S Premier Art & Clocks, 208 N. Bryan Ave.,
Lots of paintings, grandfather & mantel clocks. 779-2211
4. Corner of Time Antiques & Collectibles Mall, 118 N. Bryan Ave.
Antiques & a soda fountain.
5. Brazos Glassworks, 202B W. 26th St. Ask about upcoming classes, watch

demos. 823-0325
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DBA Quarterly Report: First Quarter of FY11

by Cassidy Barton on February 1, 2011

The Downtown Bryan Association
Quarterly Report
Quarter 1, Fiscal Year 2011

Administrative Services:

The Downtown Bryan Association (DBA), as per the 2011 Fiscal Year funding contract with the City of Bryan, maintains an office for the DBA in the Core Study Area of the Downtown Bryan Master Plan. Offices are located at 213-B South Main Street, Bryan, TX 77803.

DBA currently generates general funds revenue through dues associated with Membership. As per the FY2011 funding contract with the City of Bryan, dues in excess of $15,000 will be generated by September 30, 2011. In accordance with the DBA’s bylaws, notification of the new membership structure (developed by the DBA Board of Directors in August) was issued on October 1, 2010. The effective date of those changes will be April, 2011. In an attempt to ensure the best possible return on investment made by both the association and members, the DBA has worked to develop a strategy for targeting members and for identifying benefits of value to those members. At present, DBA does not plan to solicit any new memberships until the April 1, 2011 effective date for the new membership structure.

The DBA has recently redesigned the Downtown Bryan website, e-communication, and collateral pieces in an effort toward consistent branding and membership marketing. The website has been specifically redesigned as a community resource for information on Downtown Bryan, and DBA plans to leverage the increased traffic on the website as a benefit to members.

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January’s First Friday

by Cassidy Barton on January 7, 2011

Shopping and Entertainment

1. The Frame Gallery, 216 N Bryan Ave, Original art by many local artists, Always something new! Open til 10pm. Live music, 6:30-9:30 (Joey McGee & R.G. Watkins). cash wine bar & free art activity! 822-0496

2. Perry Lofts, 208 N. Bryan Ave., Tour the brand new lofts, now available for lease, find out about the rooftop solar array. 575-5637

3. D&S Premier Art & Clocks, 208 N. Bryan Ave., Lots of paintings, grandfather & mantel clocks. 255-8530

4. Corner of Time Antiques & Collectibles Mall, 118 N. Bryan Ave. Antiques & a soda fountain. Fantastic sale going on now. 822-7400

5. Jim.n.i., Our Favorite Things, 202A W 26th St. Look for wonderful sales here, too. 823-8000

6. Downtown Uncorked Wine Bar, 206 W. 26th St., 823-4837

7. Art 979 & The Village Café, 210 W. 26th St., Featured artist- Frieda Isbell. Watch the Cotton Bowl on a projection screen, live music before the game- 5:30-7pm Brian Hudson, & at half time, Village’s own Sarah Wise performs. 595-8957

8. Timeless Designs, 103 S Bryan Ave. 823-1957

9. Horse drawn carriage rides by Hidden Oasis Carriage Co., from LaSalle Hotel courtyard, 120 S. Main St. Extended hours this month, 6 -9pm.

10. Visitor Center, 213 S. Main St. Lots of info here, also Save the Queen tshirts and postcards of historic downtown Bryan. 822-4920.

11. Revolution Cafe & Bar, 211-B S. Main St., Original art & always, live music. 823-4044

12. EarthArt, 209 S Main St. Art, jewelry, clothing & handicraft of global community. 779-8208

13. Southern Grace, Antiques & Almosts, 102 S Main St. 822-7770

14. Forsyth Center Galleries, 110 N. Main St. New exhibit – tapestry artist Rebecca Bluestone. Free art project for children- weaving! 845-9251

15. Heritage Menswear, 117 N. Main St., 822-6575

16. The String & Horn Shop, 119 N. Main St., 779-8548

17. Bling It On, 212 N. Main St., 779-3311

18. St. Vincent de Paul Resale, 300 N Main St. 823-4369

19. James’ Studio 59, 318 N. Main St. 823-8562

Restaurants

A. Brauhaus German Restaurant, 107 N Main St, 775-4014

B. Caffe Capri, 222 N. Main St., 822-2675

C. Casa Rodriguez, 300 N Bryan Ave., 779-0916. Cotton Bowl watching here!

D. LaSalle Café, 120 S. Main St., 823-2233

E. The Lemon Wedge 308 N. Main St., 703-4052

F. Longhorn Tavern Steakhouse, 201 E. 24th St., 778-3900

G. Los Nortenos Mexican Cafe, 205 S. Main St., 779-7337

H. Madden’s Casual Gourmet, 202 N. Bryan St., 779-2558

I. Margie’s Grill & Bar, 320 N. Main St., 822-8422

J. Mr. G’s Pizzeria, 201 W. 26th St., 822-6747

K. Murphy’s Law Irish Pub, 107 N. Main St., 775-4014 Cotton Bowl watching here, too!

L. Must Be Heaven, 100 S. Main St., 822-7722

M. Papa Perez Mexican Cuisine, 200 S. Main St., 775-7272 and Cotton Bowl here, too!

O. San Jose Mexican Restaurant, 414 N. Main, 823-8157
Q. Subway, 100 N. Main St., 823-3147

R. Village Café, 210 W. 26th St., 703-8514

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