|
Once a month, Doylestown comes alive. Musicians take to makeshift stages at intersections where cars are usually idling; artists showcase their work in sidewalk displays; and stores welcome customers in record numbers. A sea of families and friends flood the streets, ambling in and out of local shops and galleries, perhaps stopping to accept a brochure from the nonprofit kiosk on the corner. On the first Friday of every month, our quaint town looks at its watch and says, “Time to come together.”
In its fifth year, First Friday is more popular than ever, often drawing upwards of a thousand people in the summer months. According to Jill Kahlenberg, senior director of marketing and events for the affair, its continued success is a group effort. “Doylestown is a close-knit community,” she says. “It’s a variety of people, businesses and nonprofits that get involved, along with the many artists and musicians we have locally.” And that spirit drives the varied mechanisms that make the monthly celebration possible.
In planning for the inaugural event on August 5, 2005, the First Friday team drew up a mission statement envisaging its future direction: “We see this as an evening of celebration of the arts. It will be advertised as an event of goodwill towards the artists and the community.” True to its “word,” all events and performances remain free to the public, thanks to the corporate sponsorship of the Solebury Club. Artists and musicians donate their time while merchants leave their doors open later, enjoying the steady stream of business throughout the evening.
Roll Over Beethoven
Perhaps the single most important ingredient of a successful First Friday, the performances of local bands and singers add a concert-like atmosphere to the event while providing an appropriately lively soundtrack for the affair. Spots for performances are coveted with musicians submitting applications and demos months in advance via MySpace and the First Friday Web site.
In charge of sorting through the applications that arrive is Thomas Phillips, director of music. Phillips, a screenwriter who’s recently been managing bands locally, was tapped for his insider knowledge and access to fellow musicians. It takes him about a week to review the submissions for each event. “I go over the music and see if it’s a good fit, if they’re talented,” he says. The decision, in part, depends on the type of music and demographic the musicians cater to. The Pine and State Streets stage is geared toward children’s musicians and performances. In the past, magicians, Dorothy from the Wiggles and even a popcorn machine have made an appearance there. The main stage, at the intersection of Main and State Streets, welcomes all ages but typically features more adult-friendly fare. The stage at State and Hamilton Streets caters to the adolescent and young adult set, as Kahlenberg notes the performers there often “go to school around here.”
In the coming months, groups such as the Scoville Blues, world fusion music/dance ensemble Animus, rock n’ roll band the Rise and singer-songwriter Krista Parrish are scheduled to perform. For the first time this summer, bands will be allowed to sell T-shirts, hats and other merchandise. “First Friday exposes them to people who normally wouldn’t hear them and gives them an opportunity to put out their music to a whole new group of people,” says Phillips.
And the cachet of First Friday is expanding beyond Doylestown. According to Phillips, submissions are increasingly coming from out-of-towners from Philadelphia, Allentown and beyond. “They really want to get a spot,” he says. “Doylestown‘s the place to be.”
For Art’s Sake
Artistic ingenuity has long been a Doylestown tradition, one that’s plainly on display during First Friday events. “It’s nice to have an area for the local artists to showcase what they do, and they donate their time in return,” says Kahlenberg. Galleries often schedule opening-night exhibitions to coincide with First Fridays while hotspots like Saxby’s might select a particular artist’s work to feature. In recent months, Siren Records and sneaker store Estetiks have planned complementary art shows under the guidance of independent concert promoter Rob Meadows and Estetiks owner Shael Fisher. “We’re trying to give an ideal space where people can enjoy music and artwork,” explains Meadows. “On First Friday, it’s a great promotion.”
Meadows regularly peruses blogs and artists’ Web sites, seeking new talent to bring into the stores. To further appeal to passersby, he and Fisher also recruit local DJs. Recently, DJ Justin Ogden and DJ Cough have spun tunes while guests scoped out works from artists like graphic designer Paul Romano and photographers Kate Bobner and Danielle Parsons. “We definitely have some unique artists, and I feel they should be seen by more people than they are,” says Meadows.
All in a Night’s Work
Currently, over 150 Doylestown merchants participate in First Friday from one end of town to the other, including the Central Bucks Family YMCA, Puck Live, Head over Heels, Starbucks and the Freight House. Getting involved requires a onetime registration fee after which merchants are “lifetime participants,” according to Kahlenberg.
While each participating business must let the First Friday committee know of its plans at least two weeks in advance, all participants enjoy a considerable degree of freedom in planning. The Central Bucks YMCA usually offers a host of family activities, crafts and games. The Michener Museum often opens a section for free to the public. Other stores might plan something befitting their products or atmosphere, such as a keyboard-violin duo at A Special Gift, a book signing at the Doylestown Bookshop or an artist demonstrating his handcrafted leather pieces at the Oakland Jewelry Studio.
Busy Bee Toys opened three years ago on a First Friday, thanks to the careful planning of owner Nerice Kendter. Since then, it’s become a major stop on the First Friday circuit, reliably offering fun, entertaining activities to keep kids – and parents – occupied. “My customers know that I always have a hands-on craft, and from time to time, a performer or children’s book author,” says Kendter. In April, she planned for the young patrons to create a springtime flower crafted out of paper and a lollipop. There was also an educational twist: CB Cares, a nonprofit organization that works to improve the quality of life in local communities, arranged to have Mother Goose – well, an actress portraying the beloved character – come by for a reading.
For Kendter, the experiences have been nothing but positive. More than a hundred people frequent her store during the course of a summer First Friday, bringing with them an upbeat attitude and eager young ones in tow. “Being in business in Doylestown is about being a part of the community, and First Friday is such a community event,” she says. “I can’t imagine not being a part of it.”
The Greater Good
Each month, First Friday highlights a different local nonprofit organization, offering it a platform at perhaps the largest assembling of community members held throughout the year. This month’s nonprofit, the Twilight Wish Foundation, is preparing for its third First Friday appearance. Founded in 2003, the organization seeks to grant the wishes of seniors through the volunteerism and philanthropy of individuals and businesses. For the nonprofit, it’s a chance to reach an audience that may be unaware of its cause.
“It’s about local awareness,” says Cass Forkin, founder and executive director of Twilight Wish. “People who don’t normally gravitate toward our cause learn about us and that we’re here locally.” Those who pass by the Twilight Wish tent may get to hear a touching story about one of the wishes granted to a local senior. “They allow us to use the microphone and share wishes that really get people interested,” she explains. In the past, “hundreds and hundreds” of First Friday attendees have stopped by the tent to share wishes, inquire about volunteering and ask for a brochure from the team.
Forkin says the relaxed, cheerful mood of the crowds makes it an ideal time to appeal to them on an altruistic level. “They have this mindset: ‘This is family night and we’re going to take our time and have fun,’” she says. “That’s the mindset you want people to be in.”
Who’s Behind the Curtain?
A dedicated crew, one who assiduously plans each event months in advance; secures permits from the borough; orchestrates the setup and participants; exchanges scores of e-mails and phone calls to finalize last-minute changes; and finally, cleans up and hauls the equipment back to storage at the end of the evening – all on a volunteer basis – fuels every event. And because summer months are among the busiest times for First Friday, as more and more locals and out-of-towners pour into Doylestown to enjoy the outdoor entertainment, the committee must make a much larger time investment, according to Kahlenberg, who credits all involved in their dedication to the effort and community partnership.
But all the hard work and meticulous planning is worth it in the end, when they see the smiling, happy people strolling along and enjoying a night out in Doylestown. “We have music and events that appeal to all ages,” Kahlenberg says. “It’s a great chance to get the community together and be entertained.”
Go online at firstfridaydoylestown.com