On the first Friday of each month, the city celebrates its wonderful arts community with new exhibits and events. Many Old City galleries will be open for free from 5-9 p.m., some holding artist receptions, while some of the larger art institutions in the city will host concerts or discussion panels. For Friday, Sept. 4, there are plenty of ways to acknowledge the monthly holiday; see below for our picks.
In the Garden: New Figures
Artist Katherine Kurtz debuts a new show that focuses on the human form. Her large abstract paintings of the figure will surely wake you up. Of the new work, Kurtz said in a statement, "I hope viewers will bring themselves into the gardens presented here and find resonance with their own lives.”
5-9 p.m. | Free admission
3rd Street Gallery
45 N. 2nd St.
(215) 625-0993
Art After 5: Avalon Jazz Band
Each Friday evening, the Philadelphia Museum of Art presents a special event, like a concert or dance performance, free after admission. This week, inspired by the "Discovering the Impressionists" exhibit, Avalon Jazz Band will perform, playing American standards and French jazz songs for the crowd.
5-8:45 p.m. | Free with admission ($14-$20)
Philadelphia Museum of Art
2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
(215) 684-7506
50 Shades: Black to White
No, not that "50 Shades." For this new exhibit, the Snyderman-Works Galleries gathered 14 artists working in an array of mediums to create pieces using only black, white and the many tones in between. John Eric Byers, Carolyn Chester, Stephanie Craig, Lis Ehrenreich, Mary Fischer, Kyoko Ibe, Richard Kagan, Ani Kasten, Joachim Lambrecht, Maxwell Mackenzie, Irina Okula, Albert Paley, Patricia Sannit and Larry Spaid will be represented.
5:30-8:30 p.m. | Free admission
Snyderman-Works Galleries
303 Cherry St.
(215) 238-9576
One World of Jazz: From Africa to Israel and Beyond
Clarinetist and saxophonist Oran Etkin will perform culture-blending tunes from his debut album, "Kelenia." On the album, he performs with Malian griot musicians Balla Kouyate and Makane Kouyate, American bassist Marcos Varela and guest Malian vocalist Abdoulaye Diabate. Cocktails and light fare will be available for purchase at the concert.
6–9 p.m. | $25 (includes museum admission)
The Barnes Foundation
2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
(215) 278-7000
Wave Cave 2
DJ Sylo, Rosie Simmons and Andre Altrez have curated a show of work from Makenzie Flynn, Grace Hwang, Simmons herself, Steffon Neely, Dewey Saunders and Jordan Stiff. Sylo will provide some jams, as will Heaven in Stereo, Fidel, O of The Ill Fated Natives and Akasha. True Hand Society will have free temporary tattoos, and free PBR will be available while supplies last. The afterparty moves to W/N W/N.
7-11 p.m. | $3 in advance, $5 at the door
Girard Hall
Sixth Street & Girard Avenue