First Friday in Anchorage has a wealth of new art being shown at galleries and cafés around town, including works by Christopher Constant at Treft.Punkt, Erin Pollock at Side Street, and Liz Ellis at Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop (also a Dine Out for Equality fundraiser for One Anchorage).

Anchorage Press has a complete list of First Friday openings. We’re sure that Anchorage MPowement Project (AMP) does, too.  They invite you to take a tour of awesome Anchorage artists while enjoying some fabulous company and great coffee! Starts at Kaladi Brothers downtown at 5:30 PM.

• Date/time: Friday, March 2, 5:30-8:30 PM
• Location: Kaladi Brothers, 621 West 6th Ave. (corner of 6th & G at the PAC), Anchorage (see map)
• Further info: see Facebook events page

“Songs of Experience” by Christopher Constant

Christopher Constant is hosting an exhibition of original artworks spanning from 2003 to 2012. There will be art in many forms with spoken work poetry by Freethought of Brave New Alaskan Voices, music by Master William, and more.

Christopher Constant is an Alaskan artist with more than 20 years of experience making art. Constant also works in community building, civic engagement, leadership development, and is working to make his Fairview neighborhood the best place in Anchorage.

• Date/time: Friday, March 2, 5:00 to 7:00 PM
• Location: Treft.Punkt Studio, 245 West 5th Avenue, Anchorage, AK (see map)
• Further info: see Facebook events page, or contact Christopher Constant at (907) 947-9438 or akconstant@gmail.com.

“People Watching: Anchorage,” new drawings by Erin Pollock

“For years,” writes Erin Pollock, “I have been going to coffee shops, bars and bingo parlors in Anchorage for the sole purpose of staring at strangers. I draw them as a way to warm-up before heading to the studio. When I first started doing this, people would often notice the weird girl so intently staring at them and get a little creeped out. I’ve since learned to be more discreet. So, come check it out. Maybe you’ll recognize someone!”

Side Street will be closing promptly at 7 PM so make sure you come on time to see the work, have a snack, and hear Tom Begich perform.

Work will remain on display until April 30th.

• Date/time: Friday, March 2, 5:00 to 7:00 PM
• Location: Side Street Espresso, 412 G Street (next door to Darwin’s), Anchorage (see map)
• Further info: see Facebook events page

Dine Out For Equality Meets First Friday, with Elizabeth Ellis at Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop

Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop will be hosting a First Friday event featuring  Elizabeth Ellis’ show of painted skateboards entitled “Sidewayz Life” — and lots of tasty treats. Come enjoy art with a cup of hot chocolate with hand-made marshmallows and a cookie!

Fire Island is a small artisan bakery located in the heart of South Addition, one of Anchorage’s oldest neighborhoods, just south of downtown. Its line of baked goods include crusty, traditional breads, sweet and savory croissants and scones, hearty muffins, fresh baked cookies, frosted cakes, tarts, multi-grain granola, a variety of daily sandwiches, and holiday specialties. Fire Island proudly brews organic, fairly traded coffee and tea.

A portion of the proceeds for the day will go to One Anchorage, a grassroots campaign made up of everyday Alaskans, LGBT, faith, political business, labor, and minority community leaders. We come from all walks of life but share a common goal: to provide the same legal protections for gay and transgender Alaskans that we already provide to women, minorities and others. Proposition 5, the Anchorage Equal Rights Initiative. will be on the April 3, 2012 Municipality of Anchorage ballot.

• Date/time: Friday, March 2, 6:00-8:00 PM
• Location: Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop, 1343 G Street, Anchorage, AK (see map)
• Further info: see Facebook events page