First Friday heats up tonight with creative works going up all over the city. Here are Jackalope Ranch's top picks for shows and events not to miss this artful evening.
"Onloaded" at Hot Box Gallery With funding from an ArtPlace America grant and support from Roosevelt Row CDC, Greg Esser turned a shipping container into an exhibition space at the Roosevelt A.R.T.S. Market. It's called Hot Box Gallery, and the movable art space's inaugural exhibition series is "Onloaded." Phoenix Institute of Contemporary Art's Ted Decker curated the rotation of artwork, currently featuring works by Abe Zucca.
See also: 3 Must-Attend Lectures in Metro Phoenix This February
Catch the container show before organizers put a lid on it February 7. The gallery space will have a new show up come Third Friday with art by Amelec Diaz.
"Pseudo Science" at Frontal Lobe Gallery We can dig NPR's Science Fridays, but we don't always, let's say, "get it." Seems like we've found some sort-of kindred spirits in the artist lineup for "Pseudo Science." The exhibition features works from creatives who incorporate science into their art, but it's not exactly accurate. On the bill are Monica Aissa Martinez, Casey Farina, Christopher Caulfield, Steve Gompf, Hilary Harp and Barry Moon, and Mary Lucking. See the experimental art when the show opens from 6 to 10:30 p.m. at Frontal Lobe Gallery Friday, February 7.
"Identifying Self as a Function of Awareness" at Step Gallery If you haven't yet made it to ASU's new Grant St. Studios in the warehouse district, here are two good reasons. One: the space is super-cool (see our slideshow of the gallery and Herberger student artist workspace). And two: It's home to the newly relocated Step Gallery, which currently houses an exhibition of self-portraits by Michael Woodlee and Michael Leeder. The pair say they're sharing interpretations of themselves that give a deeper look into their minds. Take a peek during the show's closing reception from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, February 7.
Conan the Barbarian at FilmBar There is little we enjoy more than providing our own narration to films. "Hey, that's the guy from the thing!" and "Oh, my God, he's totally the murderer," are a couple of our favorite cinematic injections to make. But New Times contributor and Torch Theatre-ist Jose Gonzalez has something a little more intense planned for his screening of Conan the Barbarian. How can we tell? Because it's an Arnold Swarzenegger movie that will be accompanied by inflatable swords and piñatas. Get in on the action at 9:45 p.m. Friday, February 7, at FilmBar. Tix to the interactive screening are $12 and available via www.thefilmbarphx.com.
"Prelude" at Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel Wayne Rainey's Shade Projects is teaming up with the Renaissance to present exhibitions inside a newfound local gallery space, dubbed Shade West, that's located in the west hall of the hotel lobby. The partnership's first show is "Prelude" by Charmagne Coe. "The Renaissance Hotel shows in practical terms what community engagement really looks like and what a powerful tool it really is," Rainey says in a press release. "Just think of the potential, if every major company in our urban core actually engaged the place makers like Renaissance has. Incredible."
