Looking for a party with free admission and diverse entertainment? If you answered yes, then mark your calendars for tonight's First Friday.

From 5 to 10 p.m. on the first Friday of each month, locations throughout Dayton offer a chance to experience downtown culture. Different types of artists display their talents, creating a sensory feast.

"I like to tell people that everything they see, you can only experience in Dayton," said Kristen Wicker, special projects coordinator for the Downtown Dayton Partnership.

Tonight's First Friday will feature over 15 businesses and locales. Along with them are what Wicker calls "roaming artists," who will take to the streets with their instruments.

The artists will play everything from classical to jazz, but they aren't just limited to music. Also participating in the walk will be SMAG Dance Collective and the Tap Factor.

Other exhibits include pieces from the K12 Gallery and the Dayton Visual Arts Center.

The K12 Gallery will display artwork created during its summer programs, while DVAC will showcase a mosaic created by many collaborators.

"Dayton is a real D-I-Y ['Do it yourself'] town," Wicker said.

Also at First Friday, theater fans can experience "Frank's Life" at 8 p.m. at the Dayton Theatre Guild. The play, a black comedy, depicts Frank as the unwitting star of a soap opera.

The entertainment at First Friday even has a UD connection.

Among the entertainers is the band Good English, featuring UD first-year Elizabeth Rasmussen.

"I guess all I really have to say is how excited I am to have the opportunity to be amongst such talented women artists, musicians and performers," Rasmussen said. "It's great to see the community respecting women artists, musicians and performers in a society where so often we go unnoticed, especially in music."

Good English will play at c{space, as part of the weekend-long Ladyfest event.

For attendees interested in history, local historians and authors Leon Bey and Curt Dalton will lead the "Ghosts, Cemeteries and Murders Walk of Downtown Dayton." Anyone interested in walking should meet at the rear of Courthouse Square at Third and Main streets at 7 p.m.

Walks are $10 per person. Call Leon at 937-274-4749 to reserve a space.

"These walks are incredibly interesting and well done and definitely worth the $10," Wicker said.

Wicker said she wants students not to be wary about being alone downtown.

"I've walked down these streets by myself every First Friday, and never once did I feel unsafe," she said.

She also said First Friday is an experience for all ages.

"I'll hear from UD seniors who'll say, 'Gosh, I didn't know this was here,'" Wicker said.

Admission to First Friday is free.

For a listing of the artists and businesses, visit Downtown Dayton Partnership's website at http://www.downtowndayton.org/ or at the First Friday Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/FirstFriday.



Where to go

5th st clayworx, 523 E. Fifth St.

Blind Bob's, 430 E. Fifth St.

Cannery Art and Design Center, 434 E. Third St.

Color of Energy, 16 Brown St.

c{space, 20 N. Jefferson St.

Dayton Theatre Guild, 430 Wayne Ave.

Dayton Visual Arts Center, 118 N. Jefferson St.

Gallery 510 Fine Art, 510 E. Fifth St.

Garden Station, 509 E. Fourth St.

K12 Gallery for Young People, 510 E. Third St.

Practice Yoga on Fifth, 504 E. Fifth St.

ReCreate, 438 E. Fifth St.

Wiley's Comedy Niteclub, 101 Pine St.

And many more!