As we slip through the winter with anticipation of tax rebates and sunshine, it may be wise to celebrate what really works in our lives - art of all kinds: Visual and performance; projects done by students and masterpieces crafted by professionals; full-blown concerts and pick-up bar bands; exhibits of famous photographers and one-night stands in local galleries. Visitors can choose from all of this during First Friday, March 5, in the downtown Canton Arts District.
Kick off the night at 5:30 p.m. at TEAM ARTS - the starting whistle of the 12-week annual arts campaign, held at the Canton Palace Theatre, offering free food and fun, and including performances by the Timken High School marching band, VOCI and the GlenOak cheerleaders.
Then, stick around for St. Pet's Day, the annual Celtic celebration, 7-10 p.m., benefiting Stark Animal Rescue Groups and featuring Irish crooners like Lisa Spicer, Ashley Brooke Toussant and performances by the MacConmara Irish Dancers and the Moonflowers.
Other vocal performers through the district include Becky Daly at Carpe Diem, John Stipe at Fideli's, Scott Paris at Anderson Creative and Seeking Stoic at AGoG Teen Gallery, plus live jazz at the Blue Olive, and the Canton Symphony Chamber Singers strolling and singing through the streets.
If footwork strikes your fancy, stop by and see how Mariah, a belly dancer, works things out at the Renkert Building while the First Friday Swing Dance gets the job done at the Metropolitan Centre Ballroom.
Swing dance lessons with Get Hep Swing will be offered 8-9 p.m., and a dance with live music by the Dave Kasper Quintet, 9 p.m. to midnight. Tickets are $10, or $8 for students.
Twenty-eight working artists will debut the 28 Variations Project at Anderson Creative, while Dylan Atkinson, Mark Ball and Joseph Close paint live at Iris. The Dreg Spot, in 2nd April Galerie, will debut its multimedia exhibit, "Static Vision," White House Studio, also in 2nd April, will do pet painting demonstrations, and ACME Artists will be blowing out the candles and the stops for its third birthday.
Youngsters and their parents can take part in "Alice in Wonderland," an audience-participation play from the Players Guild Theatre's Page to Stage at the Kathleen Howland Theatre at 6 p.m.
Other family fun includes kids' crafts by Aultman's Wellness on Wheels at the Rotary Club, crafts at the American Red Cross and free caricature drawings by artist Scott Hall at Community One Credit Union.
For spoken word enthusiasts, a Neruda poetry and concert preview from Canton Symphony Orchestra conductor Matt Brown, 7 p.m., and the poetry showcase and contest, with registration at 7:30 p.m., will take place at the Kathleen Howland Theatre.
The work of many photographers will be for sale and on display: A Studio features Jacob Bruckner and Kristin Riecheson; Julz will feature work by Steve Ohman; Bad Girlz Jewelry will exhibit the Spring Promises photo series, and a special collection from world-renowned Steve McCurry will be on the walls of the Joseph Saxton Gallery of Photography.
Since work is a key theme, do not forget to eat downtown and tip your servers -- food, too, is an art.
For complete information and a downloadable map about Art Works -- First Friday, March 5 -- see www.cantonfirstfriday.com.
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