First Friday with the Arts
First Friday with the Arts, most commonly referred to as First Friday, is a community-centered event that takes place on the First Friday of every month. Established in 2003, First Friday is an event initiated by local galleries, businesses, and organizations to encourage residents of the Southeast Missouri region to further engage in the arts and support local Downtown Cape establishments.
The Arts Council is a strong believer in supporting local. First Friday with the Arts inspires visitors to enjoy a Friday night with family and friends, visiting local businesses and organizations. Supporting local food establishments, retail shops, and art galleries is important for the economic health of our city.
First Friday celebrations will sometimes include stamp cards or other incentives to visit our Friends of First Friday. A business or organization who is a Friend of First Friday is a member of the Arts Council who is dedicated to growing a strong community in Downtown Cape. Our Friends of First Friday often stay open for the full First Friday hours, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM, so everyone gets the chance to celebrate after work or school. As mentioned above, many businesses offer a fun activity, refreshments, or even live music!
Some examples of celebrations on First Friday include,
The Arts Council hosts an opening reception for the newest gallery exhibition
Solo exhibitions in local organizations and businesses
Yoga East Healing Arts offers a FREE yoga class
Board & Brush hosts make and take experiences
Plus so much more!
Thank You to Our First Friday with the Arts Sponsors
Helen & Bob Towner
UPCOMING FIRST FRIDAY ACTIVITIES
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UPCOMING FIRST FRIDAY ACTIVITIES -
November 7th, 2025
The Arts Council of Southeast Missouri
The Visual Arts Cooperative has all new work in our new gallery!
Brian Alworth and Barbi Myres are featured on the east wall.
Laura Bain-Selbo, Don Greenwood, and Lynn Robey are featured in the window.
We are excited to announce a very special exhibition for the months of October and November! Artists from Creative Forces, our multidisciplinary art program for veterans, have artwork on display. Tom Feltmann, the lead of the oil painting classes, will be the featured exhibitor. The Reynolds House will be open from 5:00 - 8:00 PM for First Friday, so be sure to make your way down Main Street! The Reynolds House is open on Sundays, 1:00 - 4:00 PM.
Zyra Neal is the Friends of First Friday artist at Spectrum! Zyra will be at Spectrum from 5:00 - 8:00 PM for the November First Friday, so go say hello and check out how amazing her colorful works look in the space! Plus, all of the art is for sale! Graham Bramblett will be taking the stage at 8:00 PM, so bring $5 if you want to stay for live music from Nashville.
Not only are they open until 10:00 PM on Fridays for all your craft brew and late night munchie needs, but Visual Arts Cooperative artist, Mike Tenholder, is the featured artist for November. Order a pizza with a side of art, because his works are for sale!
If you missed Thomas Shaner’s work last month, have no fear! He is the featured artist at the Cape Public Library in November and December. The library will have special opening reception hours from 6:00 - 8:00 PM during First Friday in November. Thomas will be there for a meet and greet so be sure to stop by. Support a local artist and our newest Friend of First Friday!
Back in the Day an exhibition of works by Allison Heckmann, will be exhibited in the Slingshot Gallery during the month of November. The opening reception will take place from 5:00 - 7:00 PM on First Friday this month!
Skiptracer (This Link is Dead), an exhibition of works by Jackson Taylor, Annie Klein, and Grant M. Brownlow, will be exhibited in the main gallery during the month of November. A closing reception, including an artist talk, will take place on November 24th from 5:00 - 7:00 PM.
Visit this veteran owned gallery from 1:00 - 6:00 PM on First Friday! They sell paintings, photos, prints, goat milk soap, note cards, children's books, and more!
Pass the Love will be at Trend Setters during the month of November! Stop by to add a note of love or encouragement to the installation. Snap a picture with it and tag PFLAG Cape, Trend Setters, and the Arts Council!
Trend Setters is open from 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Monday - Friday.
FREE First Friday yoga with Brittany Snell! Register ahead of time by visiting their website.
Looking for a fun way to connect with friends or family? Join their most popular DIY workshop and create your own unique wood sign! They provide all the materials and instruct you step-by-step to create a beautiful piece for your home or for a gift. Register online now in order to join them from 6:00 - 9:00 on November 7th!
Totally 80s Prom Night? Yes please! Head to Scout Hall at 7:30 PM on First Friday for air guitar and lip sync contests, speciality drinks, and more! Tickets move pretty fast. If you don’t stop and buy them now, you may miss them.
Are you an artist or collector looking to custom frame some artwork? Support local and head to StevMark! They close at 5:00 PM on First Friday, so be sure to stop by and say hello to one of our newest Friends of First Friday before heading downtown!
Nothing on First Friday, but get your tickets now for The Wizard of Oz on November 21st and 22nd!
Music Academy of Southeast Missouri
Support young musicians! Student recitals will be taking place during the first week of December. Hear what students have been learning all semester. Enjoy violin, saxophone, vocal performances, and MORE! Plus, recitals are FREE to attend!
Wednesday, December 3rd
4:30, 5:30, 6:30, & 7:30
Thursday, December 4th
4:30, 5:30. 6:30, 7:30
Enjoy a delicious cuppa during your First Friday adventure! They are open until 7:00 PM with immaculate cold weather snuggly vibes.
If you haven't heard, our friends at Broadway Bistro & Vintage Trade have started a new business venture! In the same space, Broadway Biscuit Co is NOW OPEN! After you finish your First Friday rounds, order online from 9:00 PM - 2:00 AM (yep, you read that right!) to satisfy your nighttime breakfast craving. Let's show this new local business some love!
Head to our Friends of First Friday page to learn more about our friends CODES, The Collective at Scout North, First Presbyterian Church, George’s, The Glenn House, Havco, Natural Health Organics, SendAFriend, Terry McDowell Design LLC, and University Autism Center!