April 21st, 2015 – Putnam, CT – After months of preparation, the fifth season of First Fridays is set to commence on Friday, May 1st. Spanning six evenings from May through October, this outdoor, art-based street festival will bring live music, art vendors, innovative performances, and community art projects to downtown Putnam. The public is invited to come and join the festivities, enjoying a spring evening in the arts & culture hub of Northeast Connecticut.
Each year, the goal of the First Fridays committee is to make the event larger and more dynamic than previous seasons. With over two dozen art vendors, a roving street band, and a variety of performances, art installations, and family-friendly art projects, May’s event is sure to wow patrons. The festival will begin at 6:00 pm with a Maypole dance on the lawn of the First Congregational Church of Putnam, performed by the NECT Youth Ballet Company of The Complex Performing and Creative Arts Centre.
The Maypole dance is one of many performances scheduled for the evening. Other performances include a tea party and puppet show by the Amazing Taylors, a family of performers who return to First Fridays for a second season. As well, The Extraordinary Rendition Band (ERB) will be roving around Main Street throughout the evening. The official entertainment for the May 1st event, the ERB is a street band of brass, reeds and percussion that plays guerrilla style in the streets while trying to uplift everyone within earshot. Visitors are advised to be on the look out for “Art Attack” performances and surprise art displays that may pop up during the evening. Art Attacks are created by the Putnam Arts Council and are not to be missed!
The 2015 season is a celebration of A Century of Art, and May will explore Art Nouveau of the early 20th century. At the Community Art Table, all ages are invited to learn about the art of stained glass, with a project to create stained glass-inspired pendants and sun catchers. Participants are invited back to the Community Art Table at 7:30 pm to take a group photo. In the Union Square section of downtown Putnam, Artique Paint Bar welcomes the public to join in the creation of a collective painting. People of all skill levels and ages are encouraged to add their personal touch to the painting. While in Union Square, visitors will also get a chance to visit a Yurt erected for the festival. With roots in Central Asia, yurts are portable, round tents covered with skins or fabrics.
In addition to the art vendors lining the streets of downtown Putnam, there will be many gallery events open to the public during the May 1st First Fridays. On Main Street, Arts & Framing & The Sochor Gallery will feature the oil paintings of artist Donna O’Scolaigh Lange from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. The Complex Performing and Creative Arts Centre will host an open studio from 6:00 to 8:00 pm with virtual performances of dance music and art. The Empty Spaces Project Gallery will feature the work of New York artist, Maltee Sinanan, as well as a Tiny House by Deek Diedricksen. Over at The Flying Carpet Studio, there will be a Tiny Art Shack installation by New York artist Jonathan Fritz, as well as a “1 Million Reasons to Love Putnam” project. Sawmill Pottery will feature new work by Kate Oggel and in Union Square, Silver Circle Gallery will host the works of artists Shaun Rock and Karen Reid. With a wide variety of mediums and artistic styles, the many gallery events happening in downtown will be sure to stimulate the senses.
After such a long, cold winter, the First Fridays committee is eager to see the streets of Putnam filled with vendors, performers, and visitors. Whether patrons are coming to the event for the first time or are returning to see what is new, the May 1st event will have something for everyone to enjoy. For more information on this season of events, visit www.discoverputnam.com.
Contact: Ann Monteiro, First Fridays Chair and PBA Vice-President – fcs.annm@gmail.com