First Fridays 2013

April 5, 2013
Dave Green
First Fridays

First Fridays is an American phenomenon, every town and city has one; or a third Thursday, second Saturday etc. It is a community event, with a creative leaning, bringing people out in the streets to celebrate the richness of their hometown’s culture, socialise with their friends and enjoy local food and drink. Our twin town of Manteo, in North Carolina, has First Fridays and BBC hopes there may be many partnership activities on these days.

First Fridays is a community event by the people of Bideford, for Bideford and it’s visitors. It is supported by the Bideford Chamber of Commerce and Bideford Bay Creatives, however no group or individual is deemed organiser of the event and no group or individual is responsible for, or can be made liable for it.

Please download, print out, and promote First Fridays. BBC is happy to act as a conduit to enable groups and individuals to get involved in First Fridays.

Friday 6th September

Clive 'Tiger Step' Simpson — Clive ‘Tiger Step’ Simpson

This is the final First Friday of this summer from 3-7pm. The season of First Friday celebrations has been exceptional this year with high quality musical entertainment and fine weather for each and every one. September is looking to be the icing on a homemade cake with more music and cafés opening until 7pm. ‘On the Horizon’ are running a bead braiding workshop during the afternoon.

Bideford Bay Creatives have an exhibition ‘A Portrait of Bideford’ opening at the Dare County Arts Gallery in Manteo on 6th September and they’re planning a video link-up with Bideford’s USA twin town, who will also be celebrating their own First Friday 5 hours later.Music from 2.30pm for Sept 6th includes: Sean Heath, Coco Read-Jones, Tracy Nicholson, The Grey Blokes, Bethan Funning, Dogleg and Two Dogs Knight. Clive ‘Tiger Step’ Simpson will be playing you local music on the decks in between live acts! ‘On the Horizon’ are hosting DJ Wendy May, who will be spinning some vinyl ‘old school’ from 4pm.

All this will happen on the Baptist Church Square on Mill St; outside Blazeys café and at the top of Cooper St outside ‘On the Horizon’.

Friday 2nd August

From 3pm singer songwriters Sean Heath and Judith Christie, and up and coming acoustic duo Forever Young.
Great food and drink – Blazeys and Froot Loop cafes opening late. Steve Ruffe is also rumoured to be playing! 7pm ‘Crouton’ at the Green Goose cafe on Mill St with Dayle Helsby who played at Glastonbury this year.

Friday 5th July

Celebrate the North Devon UNESCO Biosphere’s tenth anniversary with all things local at this First Friday.

Music

The music kicks off at 3pm outside On The Horizon, at the junction of Mill St and Cooper St; Phil Saunders with hopefully his band Captal will be playing an acoustic set of their own Alternative Indie Punk music.

Music under the big blue gazebo, in front of the Baptist Church, starts at 4pm with First Friday’s favourite Trudi Mackie-Brown.

At 5.30pm headliners Babelfish take to the stage (pavement); a rare appearance for this legendary folk/rock group comprising Chris Millington, Lisa Sture and John Hextall.

Art

4pm – 6pm: Pete Ward will be offering a free drop-in painting with ‘earth pigment’ workshop outside the Baptist Church. Everyone’s welcome to enjoy this workshop but be prepared to get your clothes dirty!

Martin Dory has made a set of 5 recipe cards which are free for you to collect. You’ll find them in the cafes and other businesses supporting First Fridays.

There will also be representatives and literature from the North Devon Biosphere.

Friday 7th June

The music, under the bright blue gazebo starts at 4pm with Jenny Tandy followed by the multi-talented Dave Clinch at 5pm. We’re very lucky to have our headline act, Teen Star sensation Yazzy. Yazzy has performed her own songs and covers in front of thousands and in front of championship judges; this is a rare Bideford appearance! #stop press: Yazzy has made it to the final of the Teen Star singing competition at the 02 in London next month (and she’s only 14!).

There will also be face-painting and plenty of good food and drink!

Bideford First Fridays thanks Pauline Davis, from Torridge District Council for £500 to help make first Fridays (and Bideford Bay Creatives – Culture Show) happen this year.

Friday 3rd May

Trudi Brown

Douglas E Powell and the Rising Spirit

Dogleg

Janis Glover, banner painting workshop

Judith Christie

Douglas E Powell and the Rising Spirit

Chloe Bix starts the music at 2pm, Bruce Collins takes the stage at 3pm, Liberty will sing a set with her ukelele at 4pm with headline The Grey Blokes starting at 6pm. Filling in the gaps of live music DJ Professor Simpkins will be playing tunes from local, North Devon CDs.

Dave Green will be leading a free photographic workshop at 4.30pm from Froot Loop for anyone who is interested in learning more about their digital camera. The workshop will finish at 7pm.

Alongside the music there will be local artists and a special menu of good food stuffs from Blazeys Café, Froot Loop and the Green Goose.

Friday 5th April

Music starts at 2pm with Judith Christie, 3pm Trudi Brown, 4.30pm Douglas E Powell headliners at 6pm Dogleg. There’s a BBQ at Blazey’s and good food and drinks at Froot Loop. Janis Glover will be leading a free arts workshop for children from 2pm – 4.30pm. Come and enjoy the sunshine!

Dave Green

A photographic artist who has built up a unique vision of the world through his digitally constructed images. None of his photographs are simply photographs; most of them are made from up to 100 separate images layered, like strata, on top of each other to build up an impression of what it is like to be in a place, giving the viewer far more than a visual experience.