It took five whole days, but here we are, back again. Bonus: It's the first Friday of the month, which means all kind of fun all over Tampa Bay. But where to have it? Might we suggest.... Seminole Heights? I mean, yeah, it's Cinco de Mayo, but screw that. Every Mexican bar in the free world (we're still part of that, right?) is having a party. Seminole Heights is one of those places that sits there, quietly being awesome, waiting for you to come back and see them. And you totally should — there's new stuff there every month. Here are 10 things you need to know about Seminole Heights and First Friday Art in the Heights.
10. Every month the businesses get together for an art party with different artists.
Every. Single. One. Read more here.
9. It's glassy over there: Gott Glass
Gott Glass has a space for everyone to hang out and watch, and — unlike lots of Friday night venues — they totally welcome kids.
8. They have art galleries even when it isn't First Friday Art in the Heights.
So, OK, if you've never been through Seminole Heights and you drive down Florida or Nebraska, you may not see it, but secreted away in many of those storefronts are galleries showcasing some kick-ass local art.
7. Upstairs from Tempus is an uber-awesome artist in residence space.
So, with Tempus you really get a three-in-one: Tempus Projects, a cool space for local art, Cunsthaus (yup, we know), which features the feminine-heavy art and the artist in residence art. Tempus brings in artists and lets them live above the gallery. It's a roomy apartment with a great back-facing balcony. We kinda want to live there.
6. Gifts magically appear for Tempus members.
If you join Tempus, you get a locker in the space, and, throughout the year, cool gifts appear there. They can be anything from a t-shirt to a goodie basket — or art. A membership in Tempus is like a box of chocolates... you never know what you're gonna get.
5. You can have an unlimited closet there.
Valhalla is your new closet. For a monthly fee, you can rotate outfits as you need or want. Of course, you can buy stuff, too, but if you're a fashion maven, the monthly membership may be cheaper.
4. They have late-night art, too.
Every First Friday, after the First Friday Art in the Heights ends, lots of the restaurants invite the artists in to show off their stuff.
3. The art isn't for sissies
If you saw Noelle Mason's Boys on Film, you know what we mean. In smaller galleries like Tempus, sure, they don't have the well-endowed monied social class to support them, but they also don't have to worry about pissing them off, either — which means they get to do some pretty innovative stuff, like cross-stitched police reports from the Columbine shooting.
2. They have a house of fashion.
It's called Disco Dolls and they serve Studio Punch besides making and selling some amazing art — that also happens to be fashion.
1. Friday nights are the busy time, but they're not the only time.
Most of the places keep weekly hours and those that don't will meet you there by appointment. So, what are you waiting for?
Cathy Salustri is CL's Arts + Entertainment editor. Contact her here.
