Downtown Albany Launches Daytime 1ST Friday Events

ALBANY, NY (05/01/2008)(readMedia)-- In an effort to expand the awareness and impact of 1st Friday for downtown’s tens of thousands of weekday employees, the Downtown Albany BID has partnered with Albany Center Gallery (ACG) on 1st Friday, which offers art experiences within the district from 11:00am – 2:00pm. During the new monthly event beginning Friday, May 2, art locations including ACG and the Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center combine with shows from regional artists in unoccupied storefronts to provide downtown workers with an “art trail” to experience during their lunch breaks.

Albany’s monthly 1st Friday celebrations have been introducing a wider audience to the unique vitality of the artists and venues of Albany since September 2006. Hundreds of patrons come out to visit Albany art galleries, museums, shops and one-night art shows from 5:00 – 9:00pm on the first Friday of each month. Downtown Albany became an integral part of 1st Friday in early 2007 with the opening of ACG’s new location at 39 Columbia Street and the addition of an Albany Trolley route between downtown and Lark Street. The Downtown Albany BID is a major sponsor of popular event.

Exhibitions will be located at these participating businesses and buildings:

Tulip Festival Window Decoration Contest Various downtown businesses

Albany Center Gallery 30th Photography Regional

Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center Photographic Intimacy: Exhibit by James Warren Cowman

Capital Repertory Theatre Works by Michael Eck

Jack’s Pizza Recent Works by Artists—Joe Putrock, Robert Gullie, William Jaeger, Stacey Lauren, Laura Glazer and Michael P. Farrell

11 North Pearl Street Photography of Trish Hennessey, Joe Putrock and Chris Shields

488 Broadway Second Chance Salon Photography Group Show

518 Broadway Paintings by Michael Duffy

“Since moving to our new downtown location, we have been looking for ways to introduce daytime employees to our gallery and other arts and cultural venues in the district,” says Sarah Martinez, executive director of Albany Center Gallery. “This joint effort with the Downtown Albany BID is a perfect way to showcase Albany’s arts scene to a new audience.”

Downtown Albany will also continue to participate in 1st Friday’s regular evening hours. For details and maps of art locations, visit www.1stfridayalbany.org.

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The Downtown Albany BID, incorporated in 1996, is a private, not-for profit 501© (3) organization that works to restore, promote and maintain the character and viability of downtown Albany and to improve the quality of life and overall image of downtown for all those who work in, live in and visit the Capital City. The Downtown Albany BID covers approximately 50 square blocks from Eagle Street on the west to Broadway on the east, and Clinton Avenue on the north to Madison Avenue on the south. Downtown Albany is easily accessible from four exits off I-787. Ample public parking is available in more than 16,000 spaces; metered parking is free after 6 p.m. on weekdays and all weekends. For information about the Downtown Albany BID, call 518-465-2143 or visit www.downtownalbany.org.