25th Anniversary of Old City’s First Friday Fête

Tonight marks the 25th anniversary of Old City’s most popular event: First Friday. Local galleries have been keeping their doors open late night for the past quarter century to welcome art patrons, students and anyone else looking for something different to do on the first Friday of every month. Earlier this week, a celebration reception was held at La Peg to mark the 25th anniversary. Several owners of art galleries that have been partaking in First Friday since its beginning celebrated the occasion and posed with Old City District Executive Director Job Itzkowitz, Councilman Mark Squilla, and Sheila Hess, city representative, with a city citation. Each of the owners received a copy for themselves. “Through the efforts of those individuals who helped organize the first First Friday and the Old City Arts Association, Old City, 25 years later, is now Philadelphia’s premier arts district,” said Job Itzkowitz, executive director of Old City District. Guests then enjoyed passed hors d’oeuvres and a delicious cake by Swiss Haus, which was decorated with the new First Friday logo.

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Job Itzkowitz, executive director of Old City District and Councilman Mark Squilla gives a city citation to Old City on it's celebration of the 25th Anniversary of First Friday.

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Inneabell Flores, Carlo Sena, general manager at Penn's View Hotel, and Laurie Townsend-Rapp, Samuels & Son Seafood Co. and Old City District board member.

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Deborah Fine, Stanek Gallery, Katherine Stanek, Stanek-Gallery, and Barbara Harberger.

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Karen Gross, author, and Brett Mapp, Old City District.

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Pat Lavelle and Sheryl Bar.

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Christopher R. Taylor, president of Clay Studio, and Jennifer Zwilling, curator of artistic programs at Clay Studio.

Jeffrey R. Boles, Ph.D., Peter Hiler, the Book Trader, and Mike Wilson.

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Thom Nickels, author, and Dan Martin, musician and composer.

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Jenna Tshudy, Historic Philly, Mike Adams and Kim Staub, Betsy Ross House.

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Paul Tripp and Luella Tripp, LG Tripp Gallery.

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Edward Fong, owner/director E-Moderne Gallerie, Joshua Aibel, owner/director at Moderne Gallery, and Robert Aibel, founder and co-director of Moderne Gallery.

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Margaret Hughes, deputy city representative, Jeff Guaracino, CEO of Welcome America, and Sheila Hess, city representative.

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Rabbi Zash, Old City Jewish Arts Center, and Ashley Peel and Jennifer Provost, Philadelphia Independents (handmade items from local artists and artisans located in Old City).

HughE Dillon covers parties, events and more for Philadelphia magazine’s The Scene. You can afollow him on Twitter at @iPhillyChitChat and visit his daily online social diary PhillyChitChat.com.