South First Fridays

Hands down the best thing about First Fridays for me is the Opera at the Café Frascati, I love this venue and the singers are superb! It is a spectacular part of the First Friday experience no matter what time of the year, these singers put their heart and soul into their selections and I am so happy that I have gotten some wonderful videos so I can re-​live the moments in time that bring my spirits up immediately if I am having a tough day. The singers sing from their hearts and enjoy themselves immensely! «Bravo» the audience shouts in return! Thank you to all the wonderful talent!

Wow! Talk about lucking into something. I LOVE street festivals and this one was Sub Zero, a bit of an art festival, they had some beer vendors as well, and food trucks.
We got there rather early and noticed that the body painted models were getting ready, but there were some very neat offerings to be seen. Different little pockets of entertainment here and there. People offering to write poetry.
I did luck into seeing the Persephone Dance Troupe, and that was a delight. As a bellydancer myself, it was awesome to see them perform in the street. Their costumes were amazing, and their talent. Ladies, you are beautiful to watch!

There are hardly any places where you can walk around, check out various artists, eat at food trucks, grab a beer and listen to a live band. I love the concept of SFF.

I love the idea and concept of South First Fridays (SFF). There aren’t that many places where you can waltz around outdoors, check out various artists, hit up food trucks, grab a beer, buy unique goods, listen to a live band and people watch at the same time.
If you’ve ever been to a street fair, SFF won’t throw you anything you haven’t already seen. It’s pretty much like every other street fair except this one is focused on art and artists.
If you haven’t been to one, let me paint you a picture. Imagine a mile-​long street filled with tents and booths on both sides. People walk up and down the street checking out various vendors, artists, etc. There’s a stage at one end where you can check out a live performance.
PROS:
— Great vibe
— Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves
— Excellent place to hangout if you have an artistic side
— The street is closed. No cars allowed
— Several bars and restaurants along the street make great pit stops
— A lot of merchants will allow you to negotiate prices for their goods
— There’s a pretty neat art/​science exhibit in the middle
— A dozen or so food trucks
CONS:
— Feels like you’re looking at the same stuff over and over as you walk down the street
— Food trucks weren’t that impressive and they all had huge lines. Expect to wait anywhere from 15 – 20 minutes to place your order and then the same amount of time to get your food.
— The vendors (not local bars/​restaurants) only sell beer, no liquor
— A lot of kids running around. Be on the look out!
— Expect to pay for parking
If you’ve never been to SFF, I encourage you to check it out. It’s a pretty decent date spot, especially if you both have an artistic side. It’s not something you can make a full evening out of but it could kill 2 – 3 hours here. One of the biggest PROs about SFF I didn’t list is how it’s within walking distance of a few cool bars (55 South & Single Barrel). Hey, if the street fair was boring, kick your evening up a notch by grabbing a few drinks after.
I was excited about going, I’m glad I went, but, I’m in no rush to go back.

I am in LOVE. This has got the be the best local event I attended this year. I can’t believe I only just found out about this yesterday!
Attended the event last night with hubby, it was awesome! Lots of fun art galleries, ELECTRIFYING Cirque de Soleil-​esque performers/​models that depict a fantasyland/​forest (it was enchanting… see pics!), not to mention the awesome Luna Park Chalk Art Festival (a non-​profit arts event organized annually by volunteers to increase support of the arts in schools and in the community) AND etsy worthy shops mostly alongside First Street in downtown SJ. OH. MY.
For those of you who are worried about parking, I actually am a SJSU student so I parked at the 4^th garage and simply strolled over. It was a lot of loud music with an enclosed area for beer/​alcohol drinkers and a ton of food trucks.
The notable food-​trucks we tried (and looked most enticing to us) and loved were the San Jose Meatball Company, Banjara Bistro Truck (eccentric & flavorful curry plates with fresh yummy crepes), MoGo BBQ (Korean twist on tacos & burritos… a MUST-​TRY)
P. S. Although this event was called South First «Fridays» apparently it is now happening on Saturdays as well. If you guys have not made your way to this awesome event yet, you’ve still got time! It is from 6pm to midnight, have fun kids! :)

I’ve gone to the SubZERO festival for the past few years and most recently, to this year’s festival which was this very night! It is one of my favorite downtown SJ events. It is a bigger and more awesomer (is awesomer a word? it is now!) version of South First Fridays (which are every first Friday of the month in the SoFa district) held in the summertime in June.
SubZERO is where art meets technology, and there are food trucks, live music, arts vendors, and of course the galleries on First St. being open late into the evening. Lots of fun, lots of energy, and lots of people coming out to downtown SJ!
The galleries that participate that I always head into are Anno Domini, SJ Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA), MACLA, the Quilt Museum, and the Metro’s office for their photography exhibits. Anno Domini and ICA always have interesting rotating exhibits.
Food trucks are a staple of the festival and a couple are always present. But if food trucks aren’t your thing, then there are plenty of eateries on First Street that can satisfy your tummy, like Café Stritch, Phở 69, and First to Market. Café Stritch has tables on the sidewalk, so you can still be part of all the action, as the music from the main stage plays and people are walking up and down the street. There’s also a beer garden at the corner of First and San Salvador (across the street from singlebarrel).
On the street are vendors selling everything from soap made from goats milk to succulent terrariums to vintage clothing. EcoMonster was there tonight hosting a succulents workshop and TechShop was demonstrating the super cool 3D printer. Another cool thing that I saw for sale were these air plants that had a dried sea urchin attached to it to make it look like a jellyfish. Festival goers were also making art themselves by drawing on the street with chalk and making very colorful creations (I participated)! At another booth, you could have a poet write you a poem on their vintage typewriters, for a donation. Other people were selling paintings and photographs.
There were also street performers. It was like living art. The one I liked best was this one person playing a black cello inside a giant birdcage. It was pretty cool. There were also those ladies whose bodies were the canvas and they were painted all over and also the two cars that were painted and decorated all over as well. Lots of wonderfully creative things to see on First Street! And at the corner of San Salvador and First, there was a guy painting on the building wall, and he was using a giant piece of equipment that elevated him up so he could paint the top of the building — art in progress!
There is so much to see and it’s great to see so much creativity being showcased in the galleries and on the street. It’s inspiring to see so many artists in one place and seeing the products of their passion. It’s also awesome to see so many people come out to support the local businesses and these local artists. Can’t wait for next year’s SubZERO, and the next one, and the next one, and the next one…

Every first Friday of every month, some restaurants, cafes, galleries, and museums in the SoFA district downtown open their doors to the masses to show art exhibits from local artists for free!
They post a map each month to show patrons which places are showing what, this month there was 20 different locations to meander to and from, most concentrating on First St, though places like Kaleid and Psycho Donuts are a little further off the beaten trail, but close enough of a walk if you aren’t too hammered yet (or are too hammered and want to sober up a bit). Almost every gallery location seemed to be offering small glasses of wine for little or no cost.
Food trucks and a DJ or two populate these places as well, though this night was lacking in the food truck scene. I’ve heard the summer months are better for those sort of things to pop up during this event.
Kaleid and Anno Domini were my two favorite stops, the first being a giant gallery with many different artist exhibits, a lot even at affordable prices if you want to bring some of that art home. Anno Domini’s gallery was also large, showing two artists and catering to the DJ crowd on their stage.
All in all, this is a fun experience of a not-​so-​typical Friday night that I think every South Bayian should come see for themselves.

Art, music, food, drink. How can you go wrong?
Basically South First Fridays is a pub crawl with an artistic focus. You amble on from gallery to gallery. After every location your walk slowly devolves into a more pronounced stumble because a variety of alcohol is offered at every stop.
As you drink and look and listen at all is going on you really can’t help but have a good time.
Parking can be a nightmare. But hey, you’re getting drunk so shouldn’t you be using a cab (or lyft!) anyway?

Last night was my first time at South First Fridays. If you like people watching and energetic street scenes, South First Fridays is for you. The exhibits are astonishing, provocative and spontaneous. The exhibitors interact with the crowd. People seemed friendly, particularly for a crowded street event in an urban setting at night. Notably, I got several courteous apologies from people who were jostled into me accidentally. San Jose’s excellent food trucks are scattered throughout the walk so that quick and tasty snacks are available. You can duck into a restaurant if you want to sit down. There is even a beer garden positioned halfway up the three-​block walk with a host of local and regional brewers offering glasses and tastings of their finest craft.
This section of South First has always had a washed out feeling, a sort of benign neglect that was interesting but offered little to do other than a brief stroll after a movie or dinner. I really applaud the City of San Jose for developing this event. It’s perfect for the wide open layout of the area.
I am definitely going back.

Last night was my first experience at SubZero or South First Fridays. It was so amazing and I did not have to a pay single penny.
I parked in the neighboring San Jose State parking garage and strolled on over, because it was that close. Once we arrived, there was a sea of people. lights. and artwork. I especially enjoyed the chalk walk area, where participants of the festival were allowed to borrow chalk and draw whatever they liked on the street. Another memorable exhibit was the nude camouflaged paintings. I’ve never seen anything like it and I just thought the art was so beautiful and brave. Finally, coming to the best part of Subzero was the music. Our favorite band, Brother Grand, played and it was just like a mini concert! We even got to meet them!
If you have time next year or whenever this comes up again — I definitely recommend you to check it out, because its free and its worth your time!

I went to SubZero 2012. It was interesting to stroll down S 1^st St and see all of the different creative /​interactive pieces on display. It’s worth a visit. Come late as there is more going on later in the evening.
Don’t rush through all of the different offerings. Some things take a while to savor and you see more the longer you take. Other things didn’t resonate with me no matter how long I stood in front of them.
Subzero 2013 (
) should be a pretty cool event. It starts on 6÷7÷13 this year.

The first Friday of each month, San Jose’s SoFA District holds an art walk that is not only free but cultually invigorating; strolling through the restaurants, lounges, cafes, bars, etc. will have your mind enriched w/​the many talented artists that will wow your mind and imagination.
There is a map that you can use as your tour guide located here:
or
that will keep your evening intrigued and exciting. My daughter and I started our walk at Psycho Donuts (no purchases there but I was tempted). We followed the map which made things easier as I didn’t need to walk back and forth to view things but we ended our walk at Caffe Frascati. Little did I know that the café is/​was a bookmark so there I indulged w/​a chocolate éclair. BTW– this is the best éclair next to Tartine Bakery in San Francisco.
Back to my review.
San Jose is small yet somehow giographically larger than San Francisco. We are diverse, known to be corporate slaves (workaholics, if you will), and health conscious; we are thriving. If you have a visitor in town, I suggest South First Fridays and end the night at San Pedro Square Market where live music and gourmet cuisines will turn any night into a great night. I’m not a tourist and I love South First Fridays… I’m not an artsy type of girl but I do like looking at things that make me ponder.
I love you, San Jose.

This is #3 on the top 10 FREE places Downtown to visit here in San Jose. The first Friday Night of every month is when the art galleries on South First Street open up and let everyone visit for FREE. Often they will have live music, and markets as well, which is welcome now that *Music In The Park* is dead.
In my opinion, the South First Street area is more «pure» than the San Pedro Square Area, which I see as a more artificially created environment tailored more for tourism and commercialized success than as a grass-​roots vehicle for expression and community.
Besides the music, shopping, and festival spin-​offs which germinate here on South First, there are exhibits which’ll blow the minds of even those who aren’t into artsy stuff.

My review is about SubZero. I had such a great time. Most of the time I was there, I was alone. During that time, I found so much to do and look at. I was never bored. Both ends of the street were stages set up for live music. I saw a rollerderby game. All I can say is that this creavite event really made me so proud to be from San Jose.
I hear this is the largest scale of SoFa. But I’m planning on coming down to check the regular event.

Pretty cool event.
Parking was ridiculousness — just find a cheap hourly rate and that is the best way to go.
You get a little bit of everything — cool art, good food, cool merchandise, and some really creative, unique and cool performances.
The performances ranged from bands, to art performances, to street acts.
Going to the bar or having a little flask around prior makes the event even funner.
There is port-​o-​potties (portable bathrooms) around, if you drank a lot and you need to puke or if you drank a lot and you need to pee like me :)

Went to my first First Friday a couple weeks ago, and while I love the idea of it, I have to say it was a bit of a disappointment. I guess we were a little late (we went around 8:45), since a couple of the galleries had already closed. With the exception of Kaleid and a perhaps a couple others, the galleries were small.
I would recommend Anno Domini, MACLA, Higher Fire (brilliant pottery), ICA, and the quilts and textiles museum. SLG offers live music as well. Unfortunately, we did not make it all the way to Kaleid before the event was over.
In addition, we were disappointed by the lack of food truck presence, since I believe in months past, this event has been crowded by food trucks and various vendors. For some reason, this month there were only a couple of food trucks out (a generic pastry truck and Filipino truck that didn’t offer any vegetarian options) and maybe 3 booths.
I don’t know why it was relatively dead the month that I went. I think I wish we were San Francisco.

I was in the area after dinner for a girls’ night. We walked through for the hell of it and I actually found some cute vintage clothes at one of the booths. What really got my attention? The naked, painted girls. I’m not sure what the point was but it made for a good mobile upload. There were a lot of decorated cars in the side parking lot. Pretty random, but fun to take drunk pictures with, even though some of the owners were creeps. Other attractions included a band on stage, henna tattoos, and various art vendors.
First Friday was an unexpected, but welcome surprise. It’s nice to see San Jose do something right.

When you’ve been to Oakland’s Art Murmur, you can’t really expect anything better.
And South First Friday only provided more evidence for that fact.
Couldn’t find many galleries. They were few and far between — super spread out and some were really hidden.
The outside entertainment was mostly just annoying.
There was like one gallery that attracted a flood of attention. And it actually had good stuff, that’s why.
A pottery place had some good finger food. Mmm, crème puffs.
But overall it was whatever.

We went to South First Fridays on Fri 5÷1÷09 the FREE art gallery walk that’s FREE the First Friday of Each Month in Downtown SJ SOFA District. Forecast was rain, but it was nothing. I wish they didn’t cancel the street market — oh well, maybe next time. No FREE Pedicab either — the little drizzle made them stay away.
We got there around 7pm so a bit early.
We checked out almost all the galleries:
Anno Domini
Caffe Trieste — didn’t see much, too crowded
MACLA
San Jose ICA
SLG Artboutiki & Gallery
SJ Museum of Quilts & Textiles
Space47
Works San Jose
Didn’t see:
So. First Billiards — they had a bouncer and looked like they charged money to get in.
KALEID Gallery — it’s on So. Fourth St! Hubby & friend said too far!
Recommended.

I can’t believe there hasn’t been a review written for the South First Friday art walk.
First Fridays of every month from 8pm until late in downtown San Jose. There are about 10 different venues/​galleries that open to the public for FREE! Most of the artwork change each month (except at the SJMQT).
Last week, I made sure to eat dindin quickly and headed over to see the artwork before 8pm! I went to about 8 out of the 10 venues that evening!
Usually there are live bands/​performers to entertain people while viewing artwork! Some of the places have light refreshments and snacks available for free or for a small donation. Personally, I’d be a little iffy on getting those bowls of chips and cheez-​its. Who knows how clean people’s hands are. =\
Overall, the venues can get pretty packed with many interesting types of people. So if you’re not into crowds, I’d suggest getting here before 9pm/​10pm. Great place to people watch, view art, and enjoy the night!
List of venues that are open for the art walk…
1. Anno Domini
2. Café Trieste
3. MACLA
4. San Jose ICA
5. SLG Artboutiki & Gallery
6. So. First Billiards
7. San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles
8. Space47
9. Works San Jose
10. KALEID Gallery