You know that Phoenix continues to “grow up” when it develops a healthy sketch comedy community. Enter stage left: First Friday Night Live.

Amongst the hustle of the First Friday art walk lies the Firehouse, a gallery which plays host to provocative exhibits, musicians, and local fire dancers all month long. After the First Friday vendors pack up and the art walk teens return home before curfew, the firehouse continues to burn the midnight oil. This Friday, the cast and crew of First Friday Night Live will kick off their second season of sidesplitting sketch and stand up on the stage behind The Firehouse.

The cast of seventeen local actors and comedians along with a group of dedicated writers collaborate all month long creating, writing, and practicing original scenes. In addition to the six nightly sketches, the hour and a half performance will include stand up from the cast, musical guests, as well as the firehouse’s signature fire dancers.  In total, the cast and crew are more than 60 dedicated members strong.

Michael23, a local artist and show founder is looking forward to the second season and the knowledge that comes with it. The first season ran September to March, with two “uncomfortably cold nights,” in January and February that changed the course of this season. To avoid the cold Arizona nights, FFNL has decide to split the season, staging shows October to December and then March to June with two FFNL events in between.

The show is put up every month on a “shoestring budget,” says Michael, “We hope to break even at the end of this season.” Tickets are available pre-sale for five dollars online or the Firehouse Gallery and Lawn Gnome Publishing Bookstore on first Friday. Tickets at the door are seven. You can even buy season tickets for forty dollars on their website which comes with a free t-shirt to boot. The show also streams live online, for those who need there FFNL fix in bed.

If you’re interested in finding out more about FFNL or joining the production you can find information on their site.

First Friday Night Live’s first show of the season premieres at 11pm this Friday at the Firehouse.

Those of you who have been to the arts market in the Roosevelt Arts District may not know that it’s yet another brain child of the Roosevelt Row CDC. The A.R.T.S. Market serves small businesses and art vendors at First and third Fridays year round. Vendors looking to participate can secure a location for $50 for both First and Third Friday, or $80 for just First Friday.

Courtesy of Roosevelt Row

Does that seem a bit backwards? First Friday is prime property for vendors and artists looking to get their name out. But, with every artsy teen strolling the street in their winter tank tops, some adults may shy away from the crowd. Third Friday, though quieter then the hustle of First Friday Crowd, attracts a more serious adult, art crowd. Roosevelt Row, in all their wisdom, struck up this deal for vendors who show a commitment to participate in an A.R.T.S. market as well as to the growth of the district.

Vendors have to meet basic guidelines, which are outlined on the Roosevelt Row cite, and aren’t judged on aesthetics. And the deals don’t stop there. On November 12, Roosevelt Row will be hosting a pie social to benefit the Bioscience High School. After the pie social there will be an art walk where booths are only $25 for the night. On the nights that pie isn’t available Food vendors can grab a spot too by contacting the food trucks coalition who are acting as art walk partners.

Next first Friday is October 8th. We’ll see you there!