First Friday celebrating one year anniversary

First Friday ODTX is back for a special one-year anniversary celebration. This monthly event has brought Downtown Odessa and surrounding areas to life with vibrant celebrations that bring our community together. August’s First Friday from 6 – 9 p.m. Friday, August 2, will showcase vendor markets, live music stops, pop-up art gallery, engaging crafts, and exciting special promotions.

Young Professionals of Odessa (YPO) First Friday Passport Challenge: YPO has put together a passport highlighting participating First Friday stops. For the person who visits the most stops, the grand prize is a staycation at Odessa Marriott. If you visit 10 or more stops on the passport, you will be entered to win an Odessa swag bag. All entries must submit their passports to the Odessa Arts booth at 5th and Grant vendor market by 9 p.m. on First Friday.

Passports can be picked up at any “participating businesses” locations or the vendor markets after 5 p.m. on Friday, August 2. Printable passports can be downloaded at tinyurl.com/597e5y4y

Free Tie-Dye Activity at Copper Rose Ballroom: Bring your own pre-washed 100% cotton white fabric to dye, and let your imagination run wild as you create your unique masterpiece with Tie-Dye Guy, Mr. Guess.

City of Odessa Animal Adoption Event: The City of Odessa and Odessa Animal Services will host an Animal Adoption Event inside the garage at Copper Key from 6 – 9 p.m. The cost of adoption is $27.00 (cash only), and you must present a valid ID or driver’s license. The event will have puppies and dogs. This is a wonderful opportunity to bring home a new furry friend while supporting local animal services.

Pop Up Art Galleries

Copper Rose Ballroom (405 N Grant Ave.): Experience a pop-up art gallery featuring UTPB students, Hispanic Chamber Art Association, and additional local artists.

Things I Made Pop-Up Gallery 5th & Grant (5th & Grant): Creatives of West Texas and Odessa Arts host a pop-up gallery, “Things I Made in a Day,” featuring 10+ local artists who will have 24 hours to create an art piece from a variety of supplies. The completed artwork will be displayed at the old Glasheen, Valles, and Inderman Law Offices on 5th and Grant.

Vendor Markets

5th & Grant: Odessa Arts is closing down the street by the trumpet mural for a vendor market featuring Odessa Arts, Photos by Richard, Retro Hall, NV Apples & More, Sam’s Club, Cowgirl Charm, Clamatos Los Gachos, SUNNY SKULLS, Dacy’s Kitchen, Daily Grind Beard Company, Greggor’s Wood-fired Pizza, Skull & Crossbeans Mobile Brew, Love One Another Soaps, Be Sweet Beauty, Bath House Apothecary, Arcane Jewelry, Hat BandIt & The Vintage Cattleman, AnnaJames Brewing Company, SJ Navage, Beer Wagon, Muddah’s Cookies, General Villa Jerky, Sweet Traveler Patisserie, and West Texas Candy.

Black Cultural Council of Odessa (1020 E Murphy St.): will have a vendor market and live music at the Gertrude Bruce Center.

Sacrificial Needle (1500 N Grant Ave.): will have a local vendor market, live art demonstrations, and specials on tattoos and piercings.

The Downtown Venue (515 N Grant Ave.): will host a vendor market with various local businesses.

First Friday Stops

Copper Rose Building (415 N Grant Ave.):

• Pop-Up Art Gallery: Featuring UTPB students, a Hispanic Chamber Art Association, and additional local artists.
• Free tie-dye activity: Bring your own 100% cotton white fabric to dye, and let your imagination run wild as you create your unique masterpiece.
• The Craft Shop: Choose from over 100+ cup wraps & over 10 different cups to choose from (cost to participate).
• Warp Zone: Open for extended hours with a limited edition collectible giveaway for all in-store purchases.

Copper Key Gifts (501 N Grant Ave.): Open for extended hours.

• City of Odessa Animal Adoption event from 6 to 9 p.m. in Copper Key Garage.

Ector County Library (321 W 5th St.): Visit the library from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. for a car show.

Flair Taverna (2701 John Ben Shepperd Pkwy.): Live Music from Part Bee.

Homemade Wines (400 N Texas Ave.): Excel ER mini canvas setup with drink coupons for participants.

JoAnn’s on 5th Flowers (610 W 5th S): DIY floral arrangements.

M Elemental Therapeutics (419 N Jackson Ave.): Free 5 minute massages.

McJack General Store (411 N. Grant Ave.): Back-to-school craft — decorate a pennant flag for your first day of school picture.

Odessa Arts (Vendor Market on 5th and Grant): Membership table with exciting giveaways! The first 100 visitors get a free First Friday ODTX birthday cupcake. Spend $20+ at a local business to receive a new yellow First Friday t-shirt. Fill out an arts and culture economic survey for a free deck of Basin 52 cards. Redeem your YPO First Friday Passports for a chance to win a staycation at Odessa Marriott or an Odessa swag bag. Plus, Odessa Arts will have coupons for 1/2 drinks at Scooters.

Odessa Marriott (305 E 5th St.): Drink specials at Odessa Marriott’s White Buffalo Bar.

Odessa College Green Space (Corner of East 4th St. and N Jackson Ave.): Live Music with Ri Wolf, food truck, and yard games.

NV Apples (606 W 5th St.): Open for extended hours.

Patrick Clay’s Tavern (418 North Grant): $30 tattoos at Evil Ink Tattoos.

Rooster’s Diner (615 N Sam Houston Ave.): Drink specials.

Scooters Coffee (801 N Grant Ave.): 1/2 off any drink with a coupon; coupons can be picked up at the Odessa Arts table or on Odessa Arts’ Facebook Page on August 2.

Simplee Posh Boutique (516 N Grant Ave.): Open for extended hours and back-to-school specials on children’s clothes.

Skalicky Ballet (118 E 8th St.): Free 30-minute ballet class from 6 – 6:30 p.m.

Starbucks Downtown (305 E 5th St.): Free typewriter poetry by Candice Harding.

Torchy’s Tacos (306 E 5th St.): Special children’s performances.

Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center (1310 Farm to Market 1788, Midland): Live music with Los Dos Carnales with special guests La Explosiva Banda de Mazas & Junior Salar. The performance will be in Spanish.

*Line up schedule to change.