By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY
Salina Post
From art to music to entertainment, downtown Salina will be a busy place this Friday.
"There is so much going on in Downtown Salina this Friday evening! With live entertainment Shannon’s Stars and Jaron Bell Comedy and music at the new stage, and art exhibits at Subvert Studio, Peaceful Body Wellness Retreat, Streit Sandblasting, and The Flower Nook," said April Rickman, executive assistant and events planner for Salina Downtown, Inc.
And parents, if you'd like to take in the First Friday festivities, but aren't sure of what to do with your children, Kids Creative Corners, 122 S. Santa Fe Avenue, has a deal for you from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday.
"Kids Creative Corners is doing drop off play as well so parents can enjoy the exhibits and entertainment themselves," Rickman said.
Events at the Ash and Santa Fe stage
Shannon's Stars Athletic Twirling Club is scheduled to kick off the live entertainment at the downtown stage at W. Ash Street and N. Santa Fe Avenue. Their performance is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.
From 6-8 p.m., Jaron Bell's comedy and country music show will take the stage, with special guest Jerad Langley.
Other First Friday venues
Salina artist Cody Sanders will host an opening reception for his exhibit Views of Salina, a collection of locally inspired paintings, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Subvert Studio, 116 E. Iron Avenue.
Subvert Studio is a combination art gallery and tattoo artistry business owned and operated by Sanders, who said he opened the business six months ago to help “add to the culture of what the city is trying to do downtown.”
This is the studio’s third art event and consists of paintings Sanders has done of historical Salina sites, many of which he said were inspired by childhood memories.
The opening reception for Views of Salina will include entertainment provided by DJ K-ODD (Salinan Chris Riley).
Streit Sandblasting and StickIT Vinyl Graphics, 111 S. Santa Fe Avenue, is scheduled to host a mixed media exhibit, Sh-Rubbish, by Kirsten Lilak and Ethan Campbell from 4-7 p.m.
During Peaceful Body Wellness Retreat's First Friday event, visitors can meet artist Chris Jaworski. The event, at 148 S. Santa Fe Avenue, is scheduled for 5-7 p.m. and will feature Jaworski's acrylic paintings.
The Flower Nook, 208 E. Iron Avenue, will be a happening place this Friday as well, and if you're a fan of The Flower Nook, you won't want to miss it! The Last First Friday Art at The Nook is scheduled for 5-7 p.m.
The event is to include a Mandela Effect - Therapy Art exhibit from Room Green Production.
Additionally, a floral beard exhibit on live models will be on display.
The story of Rose Kretsinger Quilting, as portrayed by Debbie Devine, also is scheduled for Art at The Nook.
Taylor Kline is scheduled to provide music for Art at The Nook.
Sunflower art created by local and area artists to benefit Ukrainian refugees in Poland also will be on display. All of the sunflower artwork - approximately 100 pieces - will be for sale, and 100 percent of the proceeds will go to Ukrainian refugee assistance efforts at the Warsaw Museum of Modern Art.
READ: Heartland artists create to help people thousands of miles away
"With so much happening, there’s nowhere better to spend your Friday night than DOWNTOWN SALINA!” Rickman exclaimed.