Here’s Your Guide to November First Friday in Phoenix

More than a dozen creative spaces are showing new artworks during November First Friday, when you can explore racism in sports at the Heard Museum, eat pancakes while you watch live painting at The Duce, or learn more about artists who’ve influenced the growth of the Phoenix arts scene at Alwun House. Most, but not all, events are free. Take a mask in case you need it, and get ready for a night filled with a fun mix of exhibits and live performance.

Alwun House

Alwun House is celebrating its long history with a 50th Anniversary Invitational Art exhibited organized with curator Ted Decker. You’ll see works in diverse mediums by artists who’ve had a significant impact on Alwun House and the metro Phoenix arts scene. At the Art Park, Alwun House will present live jazz music, art vendors, and food trucks. First Friday hours, when you can also hit the no-host bar, are 6 to 10 p.m.

Arizona Latino Arts and Cultural Center

The Arizona Latino Arts and Cultural Center is holding the opening reception for its Dia De Los Muertos Art Exhibit from 6 p.m. to midnight. The evening will include visual art, music, entertainment, food booths, and contests for the best Calaca costume and make-up.

Eye Lounge

The solo exhibition “What is Left” featuring multimedia works by Eye Lounge artist collective member Gina DeGideo continues at Eye Lounge on First Friday, when gallery hours are 6 to 9 p.m.

First Studio

First Studio is holding an artist reception for its “Piecing It Together” exhibit featuring eclectic works by more than 50 artists, including Awilda Crespo, Hector Fernando, Angela Isaac, John Kaskela, Kristine Kollasch, and Ping Wei. First Friday hours are 6 to 9 p.m.

Five15 Arts at Chartreuse

Five15 Arts at Chartreuse is holding the opening reception for its holiday group show called “Holidaze,” which will feature drawings, paintings, sculptures, and other works created by members of the Five15 Arts collective. They’re accepting applications for new members, by the way, so it’s a good time to inquire if you might want to join this creative group. First Friday hours are 6 to 9 p.m.

Heard Museum

Get free admission to the Heard Museum during First Friday hours from 4 to 8 p.m. You can see Steven Paul Judd’s Change installation, which will be filmed that night for a documentary called Hail to the Breadsticks, in addition to the new exhibits “Remembering the Future” and “Toward the Morning Sun.” The evening also includes performances by several indigenous artists.

Herberger Theater Center

Head to the outdoor pavilion at the Herberger Theater Center for Dia de los Muertos: Celebrating a Legacy of Artistry, which is happening from 6 to 9 p.m. The event includes live performance, a community altar, and more. The opening reception for the “Altered States” exhibition inside the Herberger Art Gallery also kicks off at 6 p.m.

Hive on 16th

Hive on 16th, which is home to numerous artist studios, will be celebrating Dia de los Muertos with art, music, and food from 6 to 9 p.m. on First Friday.

Modified Arts

Four artists explore home, memory, belonging, and identity in “Homeland (In)Security” at Modified Arts, where the exhibition’s closing reception takes place from 6 to 10 p.m. on First Friday. Featured artists include Gloria Martinez, Karen Nazario, Elizabeth Pineda, and Yvette Serrano.

Northlight Gallery

See how three contemporary artists explore self-portraiture in “Naked and The Nude” at Northlight Gallery, which will also be showing works by iconic photographers from Robert Mapplethorpe and Andy Warhol. First Friday hours are 6 to 9 p.m.

Olney Gallery

Olney Gallery at Trinity Cathedral is presenting an exhibition titled “Indigenous Artistic Expressions: Unifying the Sacred,” which includes works by Averian Chee, Jonathan Sky Duncan, David John, and Deonoveigh Mitchell. First Friday hours are 6 to 9 p.m.

Phoenix Art Museum

Phoenix Art Museum has pay-what-you-wish admission during First Friday hours from 3 to 7 p.m., when tickets for the special exhibition “Oscar Muñoz: Invisibilia” are reduced to $5. The museum is currently showing more than a dozen exhibits with themes ranging from subversive fashion to civil rights-era photography.

Raiz Gallery

Head to Nurture House, a literary arts hub that’s home to Palabras Bilingual Bookstore and Wasted Ink Zine Distro, to explore the “Neon Navajo” exhibit featuring works by Diné artist, designer, and musician Ryan Allison. First Friday hours are 6 to 9 p.m., when the lineup also includes music by Ty Smith of Hunter-Gatherer and food from The Rez, An Urban Eatery.

Sisao Gallery

Works by 10 artists who received a 2021 Art for Good grant from the Carmody Foundation will be on view at Sisao Gallery, where First Friday hours are 6 to 10 p.m. Featured artists include Vernon Begaye, Tal Dvir, Janel Garza, Tiesha Harrison, David Knoor, Aimee Ollinger, Ellen Nemetz, Lucretia Torva, Michael Viglietta, and Claire A. Warden.

Step Gallery

See the MFA thesis exhibition “B Movie” featuring works by Justin Rodier at Step Gallery. The closing reception for the show happens from 6 to 9 p.m. on First Friday.

The Duce

The latest iteration of the Pancakes and Booze Art Show is happening at The Duce on First Friday. The ticketed event includes more than 300 artworks, live painting and body painting, and all-you-can-eat pancakes. Tickets are $15 at the door, and you need to be at least 18 years old to attend. The event runs from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.

The Wayward Taphouse

The artist bacpac will be showing more than two dozen photographs of her murals at The Wayward Taphouse, which is one of many venues participating in The Grand Unification festival happening along Grand Avenue between Seventh and 16th avenues. Event hours are 6 to 10 p.m. on First Friday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, November 6.