First Friday Live (May 1, 2020)

Peak Town Square

A rundown of Virtual First Friday happenings

This is a replay of Studio 809’s first live webcast, from May 1 of 2020. It’s a rundown of happenings during that evening’s Virtual First Friday, and a great way to find out how the Pikes Peak Region’s arts community is responding to the COVID crisis. Some of the events discussed happened that evening, or in the week following, and may no longer be available. For more information, check the links in these show notes.

On the first Friday of every month, First Friday Downtown features FREE monthly cultural events throughout Downtown Colorado Springs. Galleries, museums, cultural organizations, and retailers host art openings, artist receptions, performances. The event has expanded to include Old Colorado City and Manitou Springs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, First Friday has gone virtual, so on May 1, the Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region and Studio 809 teamed up to co-host First Friday Live. This special episode of Peak Town Square streamed audio and video to Facebook Live, and was also webcast live on Studio 809’s new online radio station at studio809radio.com.

This episode was co-hosted by Angela Seals, deputy director of the Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region (COPPeR) and Dave Gardner, manager of the Studio 809 podcast collective.

While much of the conversation was about that evening’s virtual events, there was also discussion of ongoing opportunities to enjoy the arts – as well as long-term challenges and opportunities for the arts community. Shelter in place, and safer at home are creating their share of community challenges, and they are definitely challenging the arts community. So, Angela, Dave and guests also discussed how the arts community has been growing, and how artists and organizations have been “showing up,” in these troubled times.

All this means the live event recording is still relevant, so we’re sharing it with you now. This episode will also give you a sense of what you might expect at the next First Friday, on June 5.

Guests and Topics:

6:16 Bee Vradenburg Foundation: David Siegel, Executive Director

15:48 Fine Arts Center: Scott Levy, Director

Video: Q&A with Cast and Crew of The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

19:22 45 Degree Gallery: Emily and Reed Fair

24:03 – Kreuser Gallery: Deb Komitor, artist whose work is showing at the gallery

Kreuser Gallery Virtual Exhibit

33:05 Downtown Partnership: Claire Swinford, First Friday organizer; Manitou Art Center: Natalie Johnson, First Friday organizer

First Friday Downtown

MAConnected Galleries Online

MAConnected First Friday May 1 Video

46:37 Old Colorado City Association: Ashley Perry; Old Colorado City Business District: Lauren Ripko, Studio Q Event

Old Colorado City

52:35 Colorado Springs Conservatory: Linda Weise

Jazz Nite Online May 1 Video

LINKS:

Peak Radar Virtual

Virtual First Fridays

Artist Recovery Fund at Pikes Peak Community Foundation

Video Version of this Episode’s Live Webcast

About Peak Town Square:
Join us in the town square! Colorado Springs’ movers and shakers take the mic to share what’s happening in our city. Politics, art, culture, recreation, food and health – everything is on the table. These partner organizations contribute episodes:

Citizens Project

Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region

League of Women Voters of the Pikes Peak Region

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