First Friday

[GRID]

Is this still a big event in KC? I have not heard much about it. Will probably be staying at Crossroads Hotel and noticed the prices were really low especially for a first Friday. Hoping it's still a thing as it's been a long time since I have been in town for one.

[normalthings]

No not really. Smaller than the P&L KC Live concerts

[AlkaliAxel]

The one in July was packed for blocks. I'm puzzled why that wouldn't be considered a big event...

But Grid if you're here in town, you'll see for yourself

[KCPowercat]

Dave would be best to give the details of the politics behind it but from what I've gathered being around for 2 this summer it's like the neighborhood isn't too keen on hosting it but it's become such a known event people come anyways. Galleries are open but not long and not many publicize what they are exhibiting. West bottoms hosts a lot of artists now that crossroads got too pircey for them.

The death of that teen summer 2019 turned the neighborhood off of it and then covid of course so it felt like it just was time to end it.

[GRID]

Bummer. Oh well. I guess nothing last forever.

[KCPowercat]

I mean the Star still does a monthly "this first friday" type rundown

https://www.kansascity.com/kc-city-guid ... 50661.html

[Cratedigger]

Dave would be best to give the details of the politics behind it but from what I've gathered being around for 2 this summer it's like the neighborhood isn't too keen on hosting it but it's become such a known event people come anyways. Galleries are open but not long and not many publicize what they are exhibiting. West bottoms hosts a lot of artists now that crossroads got too pircey for them.

The death of that teen summer 2019 turned the neighborhood off of it and then covid of course so it felt like it just was time to end it.

Yeah this has been my experience as well. It's still a thing but not quite the same as it used to be

[WoodDraw]

There’s a group that basically shut it down. Very nimby people that live in the crossroads that wanted it to only be an arts day.

Never really recovered from that because they have a lot of sway.

[KCPowercat]

To their defense they were being asked to host a city wide event and did not get city level support/funding to host it. I'd probably have wanted it shut down too given that resource demand.

[DColeKC]

No not really. Smaller than the P&L KC Live concerts

Well that's like 5,000 people. I'd think anything over 3500 people for first Fridays would be a solid turn out.

[KCPowercat]

Hard to measure but I'd say prime FF was way over 5k.

[earthling]

It turned into a monthly street fest, not as much about art last several years for most attending. Would be great to get another tamer street fest going perhaps focused on blues/jazz. Finding location that would allow monthly probably most difficult part.

[DColeKC]

Hard to measure but I'd say prime FF was way over 5k.

Very hard to tell unless someone pays for the data. I think at the peak popularity it was for sure over 5k.

[DColeKC]

It turned into a monthly street fest, not as much about art last several years for most attending. Would be great to get another tamer street fest going perhaps focused on blues/jazz. Finding location that would allow monthly probably most difficult part.

And there's the problem. If it's solely about the art, most of the bars and food places won't do that well. When it turned into the big street party all the bars and restaurants crushed it but it came with issues.

If I were involved in leadership over there, I would be cautions about going back after the street festival idea and dictating the music direction. You'll 100% get backlash and accused of keeping certain people away.

[WoodDraw]

To their defense they were being asked to host a city wide event and did not get city level support/funding to host it. I'd probably have wanted it shut down too given that resource demand.

Sure, and they opposed that.

[AlkaliAxel]

Well how about you guys go check it out tomorrow and see what you think

[DColeKC]

Well how about you guys go check it out tomorrow and see what you think

Only if I can see KCPowercat painting his latest masterpiece!

[WoodDraw]

Well how about you guys go check it out tomorrow and see what you think

I live there. I’m there every month.

[KCPowercat]

Yeah I'm there every weekend I'm in KC I'm not sure the request

[AlkaliAxel]

Yeah I'm there every weekend I'm in KC I'm not sure the request

Oh, didn't know you lived outside of KC