I picked my fiance up from work, and we had some time before we needed to be there. Dinner was a priority, and after being unable to secure parking at the Cherry Blossom Noodle Cafe, we decided to go to Macayo’s flagship restaurant on Central. I polished off a Pollo Espinaca Enchilada, and Chris enjoyed his Chipotle BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad. We split a Strawberry Margarita, and even then didn’t finish it.

We ran to Borders at the Biltmore for some items, then looking at the time, realized we better get to the Firehouse. We had difficulty finding parking, and by the time we did, we were about 3 blocks away-by Burton Barr. I was feeling tired, so we skipped wandering the galleries, although I saw that the Fair Trade Cafe on 1st Ave & Roosevelt was quite busy. This was definitely a busier First Fridays than July 4th was.

Passing the artists set up outside, we found the Firehouse and went through the narrow and dark tunnel to the back, where the performance space is. We found one of the few seats and Chris got us a couple of sodas from the coffee shop/refreshments area there. It is a “Name your price” place. Chris paid $2.50 for 2 cokes as a way of tipping for the space. People wandering in and out, and a cast member passed out coupons for a show at Fetish Falls in Tempe the next day.

The Librarian and Cat from Sin Aesthesia

Then Magenta, Cat, the Green Fairy and the Librarian came out to work the crowd while the troupe got things set up. The show itself was quite mesmerizing. It was basically an almost vaudevillian performance of fire, dance, and sketches. Pandora Ladysmith was the emcee, with assistance from Rutherford LeStrange and Magenta. The dance was a fusion of tribal, fire and modern moves. The fire was energetic. The audience was participatory and engaged. There were comedic interactions galore. The modern Geek was one of the many freaks on display in this Steampunk flavored circus of delights. I was delighted to be spared viewing his entry in the swimsuit competition of the “Miss Sin Aesthesia Pageant.”

As with any performance troupe, there were areas of weakness as well. The sound was poorly managed, and the outdoor space made it worse. The microphones did not work, and Bunny, the bearded lady, did a wonderful rendition of “Fever” that you had to strain to hear. The person working the sound walked out halfway through the show. Some of the elements seemed a bit out of place with the theme of the production.

On the whole, though, even setting aside my bias as a friend of the cast, I have no regrets about going. It was worth 100% the sweat of an outdoor venue in September. And with that, I leave you with a few pictures. Tomorrow will detail our journey the next day to the strange and wonderful world of Fetish Falls. I bought a lovely corset with a $10 gift certificate Chris won from the Firehouse performance. If you want to check out Sin Aesthesia yourself, you can take a look at their Myspace Profile.

The Door to Sin from Sin Aesthesia Show

Peacock, Innocence & Esmeralda perform to Ludo's Love Me Dead

The Geek as a Circus Oddity on Display at Sin Aesthesia.

Quinn Dancing

Bunny Singing Fever

Tribal Sword by Velena

Innocence, Quinn, Peacock, & Esmeralda Start the Can Can

Chris winning the Door Prize- Photo by Me

Photos by Chris Seggerman. All Rights Reserved. Used with Permission.

Since 1994 the monthly First Fridays artwalk has grown to become the largest monthly artwalk in the United States. Increasing interest in this area has prompted Rooselvelt Row to becoming more pedestrian-friendly and is supportive of small local independent businesses that give downtown Phoenix character.

That is an uncited bit, so I have a sneaking suspicion it was placed by a promoter. I have attended First Fridays a couple of times, each time concentrating on a different area of downtown. When I first started going last year, there was a map available online. Now you have to find one at a downtown business. I think Burton Barr has them. Now I mainly stick to Roosevelt Row.
There has been a lot of controversy in the last couple of years, and that has affected the feel of the event. Phoenix Metblog Author pho_william spoke about his experience here. I have observed the changes from the controversies myself.

The first time I went, it was like a big street fair. I loved it. Crowds, vendors, art and fun! I contrast this to when I went on the 4th of July and there is a significant change. During July’s artwalk, you could barely tell there was an event going on. People were there, but they tended to attend just one little area, gallery, or concert and stay. It might have been the heat, but it the first time I went it was warm too.

The Phoenix New Times has covered the issues with the street vendors.

The reason The Bird and others gravitate to Roosevelt on First Fridays is for the very libertine, Fellini-esque atmosphere that the Esser-Delgado axis wants to kill, not to ogle the pricey baubles at Esser and partner Cindy Dach’s boutique, MADE.

I have to agree with that. On the plus side, the galleries and performance spaces are still awesome. This Friday I will be at The Firehouse. They have frequent shows, a coffee house and a performance space. I will be there to see good friends, who are also fire spinners, do their second performance as Sin Aesthesia. I would love to see you there, and you will be hearing more from me.

Sin Aesthesia at The Firehouse