Phoenix Music Blog

​It's been 16 years since the Furious Styles Crew first busted onto P-Town's cultural landscape back in 1993. And in that time span, the premier b-boy/hip-hop dance collective has been popping and locking up a storm.

Their dances have become a major draw during First Fridays as well, drawing hundreds of spectators to the intersection of Fifth and Garfield streets with their acrobatic urban dance moves.

November's edition of the monthly art walk experience will also serve as the kickoff of their weekend-long anniversary celebration, as the Furious ones will be presenting an art show and star-studded DJ fest at Roosevelt Art Space (924 North First Avenue) starting at 6 p.m. The line-up of turntablism talent includes DJs Melo, M2, Pick, and Odin Rock. (Be sure to check out what else is happening on both Saturday and Sunday also).

There's also plenty other artistic activities afoot tonight as well. As Lilia Menconi mentioned earlier, Roosevelt Street will be blocked off from Central to Seventh Avenue, giving y'all plenty of incentive to put the "walk" in art walk and not attempt to drive your cars as close as possible to your favorite gallery.

There's also a ginormous pop art show, a new mural going up at the eye lounge, the quarterfinals of the Train Tracks at PAM, and plenty of other fun to be had.

Get a complete rundown of all the action after the jump.

Andrew Urban

Downtown renaissance man Tato Caraveo.

​Adaupto "Tato" Caraveo is one of the coolest mofos we know. Not only is the 35-year-old one of the most charming cats we've ever met, he also gets to tend bar at the Lost Leaf (one of hippest drinkeries in the whole Valley) and can pluck the upright bass with serious aplomb for jazz/experimental/world band Sonorous.

Plus he's pretty fly with a paintbrush and canvas to boot, and has created some of the most stunning fantastic realism works that we've ever seen.

Caraveo's pieces are slices of surreal beauty, where he takes ordinary figures and portrays them in softly distorted fashion. We were majorly bummed out when the Brickhouse closed down last year, and not just because downtown Phoenix was losing a crucial live music venue. It's because we wouldn't be able to see one of his more famous murals, which occupied an entire wall adjacent to the Brickhouse's large stage.

Tato's also probably gotten tired of us repeatedly asking if he'd make duplications of the wicked flaming skeleton mural that used to be part of the bygone Emerald Lounge and currently hangs above the bar at the Lost Leaf.

It won't be the only of Caraveo's masterpieces on display at the beer and wine joint, as more than a dozen of his works will line the walls of the Leaf while local indie band The Hooves will perform starting at 9:30 p.m.

What else is going on tonight? Read on for the full rundown.

Kinch is scheduled to perform a free show at the intersection of Fifth and Roosevelt streets tonight.

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As little as a year ago, both city of Phoenix officials and representatives from Roosevelt Row CDC swore it would be almost impossible to shut down one of downtown Phoenix's vital thoroughfares during rush hour. Apparently, First Friday has gotten so big that such a closure is now possible.

And there's gonna be plenty of activities taking place along the local art scene's most famous strip. Not only will all the usual block party madness be taking place, the Red Bull Manny Mania skate fest is scheduled to happen and our boy Psycho Steve will present an EP release show for local indie rockers Kinch.

The rest of tonight's lineup of art, music, and other insanity follows the jump.

Djentrification is scheduled to spin outside of Conspire tonight.

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If attending myriad First Fridays have taught us anything, it's that the name of the game is truly "right place, right time." Example: You could spend the entire evening over on Grand Avenue gawking at the various pint-sized art spaces and boutiques that make up Paisley Town followed by a trip to Tilt Gallery or Trunk Space.

But then you'd miss all the live bands at the Art Institutes concert stage or the gravity-defying b-boys and breakdancers who are usually found at the intersection of Fifth and Garfield streets. (Not to mention the wacko performance artists walking the streets and sidewalks of Roosevelt Row, the poi-spinning dancers at the Firehouse, or the myriad other artistic and musical adventures that usually accompany the monthly artwalk).

What we're getting at is that it probably would behoove you to plan ahead on what to experience during tonight's First Friday. Thankfully, we've done all the legwork and rustled up a list of what's happening when and where. (Also, check out "Arty Girl" Lilia Menconi's extensive coverage from this past week for all of the biggest shows and events).

And just in case you do miss out on some of the gnarly happenings, don't panic. We'll be out and about tonight armed with cameras and promise to get snapshots of some of all the dopeness that will go down for our usual First Friday slideshow on Monday.

In the meantime, hit the jump for the listings.

Brandon Lee

Back Ted N-Ted is scheduled to perform tonight at Holgas.

There's a good chance the galleries of Roosevelt Row and Grand Avenue might be ghost towns tonight, what with seemingly everybody getting out of town for the three day weekend and all (as well as the usual summer heat which tends to keep people away from the monthly art walk from June to September each year). But if you're in the mood for paintings instead of patriotism, here's a rundown of some of those who'll be providing stimulation in both visual and auditory form at the various galleries and art spaces around downtown.

And in case you hadn't heard, the METRO light rail system is offering post-midnight service starting tonight, so feel free to stay a little longer at the Bikini Lounge or the Lost Leaf.

Hit the jump for the complete rundown.

Jonathan McNamara

Several officers from the Phoenix Police Department stand in front of UM Gallery on Friday evening.

Things got a little crazier than usual during First Friday in downtown Phoenix this past weekend after Phoenix police officers raided UM Gallery (the Fifth Street art space run by local hip-hop promoters Universatile Music) on charges of serving beer and wine without a permit.

The incident started just after 10 p.m. when about a half-dozen officers shut down the gallery's First Friday celebration, pulling the plug on a few DJs spinning hip-hop music outside on the porch in the process. The cops then detained five members of the UM posse that were inside, including promoter Reuben Martinez, artist Jules Demetrius (who's artwork was on display), and Dusty Hickman (who also goes by the DJ handle Pickster One).

Martinez later told me that they were serving cans of PBR and cups of Charles Shaw wine (a.k.a. "Two Buck Chuck") to patrons in exchange for a "recommended donation" to help support the gallery. Hence, he claims that they weren't in violation of state liquor laws. The cops obviously disagreed, as Martinez, Demetrius, and three others were cited for selling booze without a permit (which is a Class 2 misdemeanor).

Jamie Peachey

Terrence "Terror Boy" Murtagh, local fixed-gear enthusiast, New Times cover boy, and star of the cycling documentary Death Pedal

It's pretty hard to miss the fixed-gear cyclists at First Friday. They're the skinny, tattooed cats you tend to see swarming around the intersection of Fifth and Roosevelt Streets, riding atop their stylish-and-sleek urban single-speed racing bikes.

As I mentioned in my cover story from last summer on fixed-gear culture, the monthly art walk is usually a major gathering point for local fixies. Dozens of riders usually come out to the event to show off some stunning-looking tricks or ride in a huge pack down to the Bikini Lounge or Lost Leaf to have a pitcher or two.

So it's only appropos that the event is serving at the seeting for the Arizona premiere of the fixie documentary Death Pedal. The bike flick was created by SoCal filmmaker and rider Kareem Shehab about the growth of fixed-gear usage in cities across the world, including right here in the Valley. Several local riders are featured, like graphic artist Terrence "Terror Boy" Murtagh (who was featured on our cover last year). I've also heard that there's going to be a monthly critical mass bicycle ride every month, so chances are likely that you'll be seeing more and more cyclists during First Friday.

Death Pedal is scheduled to screen tonight at the super-fly Grandiose Records & Gear, 104 East Pierce Street, and starts at 10 p.m. But films about fixie fanatics aren't the only thing happening tonight, as the usual mix of arts, music, and mayhem will take place. There's even going to be dueling burlesque events, as the Trunk Space has booked the Pretty Things Peepshow, while Alwun House plans to feature the gals of Provocatease. Who's the winner in this battle of the buxom babes? I think we all are, bub.

Read on for compilation of what's going on.

Jonathan McNamara

See more shots from First Friday in our slide show.

Local music was the focus of First Friday on May 1, 2009. Back Ted N-Ted hit up Roosevelt Row for an outside gig, while local favs What Laura Says, and Dry River Yacht Club battled it out for band supremacy at Phoenix Art Museum. See more shots in our First Friday slide show.

Close encounters of the weird kind are scheduled to take place at tonight's First Friday.

Someone better call in Mulder and Scully, because there's gonna be a UFO sighting going down during tonight's First Friday in downtown Phoenix. Or at least, that's what the people at the Firehouse (1015 North First Street) are saying is gonna happen.

According to Firehouse artist-in-residence Michael 23, the unidentified flying object in question will be approximately 10 feet in diameter, made up of a combination of metal conduit and wood that's been covered in fabric. Said "interstellar vehicle" (which was constructed by the carbon-based lifeform Alan Greenblazer) will be landing on the street in front of the Firehouse, and is large enough to allow several "aliens" (i.e. DJs, musicians, and performance artists) to occupy its interior.

www.strivedreams.com

Thought Crime's UFO from 1997.

It isn't the first time the Firehouse crew has been involved with creating a close encounter of the weird kind. A dozen years ago in 1997, Michael 23 and his fellow artists of the Thought Crime collective "landed" a flying saucer made from inflated garbage bags on Arizona State University's Hayden Lawn. It was all part of a "UFO Awareness Week" that was funded by the school's student government. This time around, however, the artist says there's more of socio-political statement involved.

"I think their message is that we're all 'aliens' and that no one should be considered illegal in this day and age," Michael 23.

Greenblazer will also be on hand with his fellow member of the Phoenix Phreak Bike Militia, who will be riding their funky two wheelers around First Friday. The featured artist at the Firehouse will Randy Jagoda, who's psychedelic paintings will be on display in the gallery.

Read on for a rundown of what else is happening tonight in downtown Phoenix.

Nowhere Man and a Whiskey Girl will perform tonight at the Ruby Room Lounge.

Maybe it's just us, but doesn't it just seem like a really nice day outside today? Mild weather, cool breezes, and lots of clouds. Basically, the perfect kinda weather to be out all weekend on the sidewalks of downtown Phoenix.

It's Art Detour weekend, which means Roosevelt Row, Grand Avenue, and other locations will be swamped and swollen with crowds. The action runs from tonight through Sunday, and we've assembled a list of what will be going on. (Be sure to also check out Robrt Pela's article here).

Susan Jordan Anderson

The Love Me Nots are scheduled to perform tonight at the Ruby Room

Our favorite Friday of the month is upon us: First Friday.

As usual, both Roosevelt Row and Grand Avenue will be packed with plenty of culture lovers and thrillseeking urbanites during the monthly art walk. And as always, we've assembled a list that details what the various galleries, restaurants, and art venues in and around downtown will be showing during the event, as well as which musicians will be getting their groove on. Click the link below for the complete rundown.

A couple of notes before you dive in: The free First Friday shuttle service hub has moved north a few blocks from the Burton Barr Central Library to the Phoenix Art Museum at Central Avenue and McDowell Road. (While you're there, be sure to catch the screening of The Heart Is a Drum Machine at 8 and 9:30 p.m.).

Also, all venues and galleries listed open to the public starting at 6 p.m. (unless specified otherwise). Be sure to call if you'd like more information.

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<br><br><i>FutureKind is scheduled to perform at The Lost Leaf.</i><br /><br />It's probably gonna be a chilly one tonight, so be sure to bring a jacket or hoodie when you're out traipsing along Roosevelt Row and Grand Avenue in search of art during tonight's First Friday. Besides heading to <a href="http://www.tammiecoecakes.com/" target="_blank">Tammie Coe's</a> or <a href="http://www.myspace.com/conspirephoenix" target="_blank">Conspire</a> for something warm to drink, we suggest huddling close (but not too close) to your fellow art lovers as you watch the dozens of musicians and performers doing their thing.<br /><br />But if you're a fan of HoodRide's treehouse (which usually hosted DJ Jon Dread spinning reggae and old-school during First Friday), you'd better find a new hangout. As we <a href="http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/uponsun/2008/12/city_of_phoenix_orders_hoodrid.php" target="_blank">reported about within the last hhour</a>, the city of Phoenix ordered the structures destruction yesterday.<br /><br />

<p>Don't worry, there's still plenty of other stuff to see and do tonight. Here's the rundown of what's on tap for tonight:<br />
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The HoodRide treehouse.

The intersection of Fifth and Roosevelt Streets has become one of the hotspots for the downtown Phoenix arts district. And one of the coolest parts of this cluster of galleries, boutiques, and coffee places was the HoodRide treehouse.

Built into an olive tree in front of the sidewalk of the bicycle shop/art gallery run by Derrick Pacheco, the two-story construction of wood that was kind of a landmark for the Fifth Street scene.

But now the treehouse is a thing of the past, as city of Phoenix officials ordered Pacheco on Thursday to tear down the structure by this afternoon.

If you're looking for something different (read: not mass merchandised, made-in-China crap) for your sweetie, or Aunt Ida, or your boss, this is the last First Friday before Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa. Yes, the last one. Since First Friday can be a zoo, especially before major holidays, we've culled the offerings down to 5 hotspots you'll definitely want to visit in your quest to find the  Holy Grail of holiday shopping: The elusive "perfect" gift. [Insert angelic choir of "ahh's" here.]

1. The indie Crafeteria
The adorable Frances Vintage boutique at 10 W. Camelback Rd. in Phoenix will host 30 independent artists offering everything from knit scarves to calendars from 6-10 p.m. this Friday. That's in addition to the shop's hip gift choices, like vintage-y looking belt buckles, handmade plush toys and embroidered wallets. Local folk singer Courtney Marie Andrews provides the tunes...

The Fell City Shouts are scheduled to perform tonight at the The Lost Leaf.

Tonight's the monthly First Friday art walk in downtown Phoenix, and -- as always -- we've put together a list of some of the musical and performers who'll be doing their thing along Grand Avenue and Roosevelt Row.

Check it out: