After taking a break for the winter, First Friday celebrations return this week to highlight art, music, food and shopping in downtown State College.
The Downtown State College Improvement District’s monthly celebration will feature live music, typically from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on the Martin Luther King Plaza stage. This Friday’s performance by Caledonia, however, will take place from 5-7 p.m. in the lobby of The State Theatre, 130 W. College Ave.
The State Theatre also will host an exhibition of local artist Ray Bilger’s work from 5 to 8 p.m. and a screening of “In the Heights,” at 7 p.m. (General admission tickets of $8 are required for the film.)
Here’s what else is happening this Friday:
• DSCID, 127 S. Fraser St., 5-8 p.m. A showcase of watercolor works by visiting artist Francine T Jones and light refreshments
• Woskob Family Gallery, 146 S. Allen St., 5 to 8 p.m. Featuring Nichole van Beek’s newly installed window piece, “Grow Forward Together;” Megan Gottfried’s fabric installation “Room to Room;” two videos — “Mold Garden” and “Tide Flowers” by Stacy Levy; and Catie Dillon’s colorful mural “Remain in Light.”
• 3 Dots Downtown, 137 E. Beaver Ave., 5-9 p.m. Celebrating the new exhibit “A Party in the Dreamer’z Dojo” by Bella Lucy, with music from Miss Melanie, vinyl painting by Scotch Pour and wine and mocktails available for purchase.
• Master Goblin Games, 234 E. College Ave., 5-10 p.m. Open game night.
• The Makery, 123 S. Fraser St., 5:30-8 p.m. Plant small succulents into wine corks (magnetized or hanging) or create holders for air plants with stones and wire with a quick make-and-take project. $5 per person. Walk-ins welcome, but registration encouraged.
• The Blue Brick Theatre, 209 W. Calder Way, 7-8:30 p.m. Happy Valley Improv performs. Buy tickets in advance and get 20% off with the coupon code FIRSTFRIDAY at checkout.
• Webster’s Bookstore & Cafe, 133 E. Beaver Ave., 7 p.m. aAn up close and personal performance by Maestro Yaniv Attar on guitar and four of the principal string players of the Pennsylvania Chamber Orchestra. Free, $10 donation suggested.
• Kish Bank, 114 S. Allen St., 5:30-7:30 p.m. Exhibition of work by local artist Joanne Landis, featuring snacks from The Cakeshop by Tati and beer, wine and cheeses.
• Kitchen Kaboodle, 104 W. Beaver Ave., 10 a.m.-8 p.m. 15% discount on any USA Pan bakeware items.
• Appalachian Outdoors, 131 S. Allen St., 5-8 p.m. 10% off storewide, refreshments and an in-store raffle.
• A’s Pub, 116 S. Allen St., 7-9 p.m. Byrne & Lovett perform. Free food giveaways.
• Juana’s, 129 S. Allen St., 5-8 p.m. The Venezuelan restaurant is open late for First Friday.
Looking ahead through the spring and summer, First Friday will be adding free movies in Sidney Friedman Park.
“We are partnering with the Borough of State College to offer free outdoor family movies in the parklet as part of First Friday events in May, June, July and August,” DSCID Executive Director Lee Anne Jeffries said in a release. “Exploring more opportunities for a variety of live music downtown is another priority.”
Movie nights being held by DSCID and the borough will include:
• April 22, 8 p.m., “The Lorax”
• May 6, 8:15 p.m., “Annie”
• May 21 (Saturday), 8:30 p.m. “E.T.”
• June 3, 8:30 p.m., “Luca”
• July 1, 8:30 p.m., “Encanto”
• Aug. 5, 8:30 p.m., “Charlotte’s Web”
First Friday’s music lineup for the spring and summer:
• April 1 – Caledonia
• May 6 – Eric Ian Farmer, Ady Martinez, and Friends
• June 3 – Midstate Select
• July 1 – Mellow Honey
• Aug. 5 – Crush
• Sept. 2 – Ken Baxter & Friends
