WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE BY WORKING TOGETHER

It’s always amazing how many points-of-view there are about Las Vegas. Tourists will visit for “what happens here, stays here” (think sex, drugs and debauchery). Of the natives born and raised here, some love the city, and some are not so fond of it.

Others make a point to let you know right away they’re from somewhere else, even if they were raised here. No matter what category you fall into, ask yourself the first thing that comes to mind when you think “Las Vegas.”

Was the answer art? Was it “Giant Praying Mantis?” How about “Yay, yay, yay, fun family day” or “lots of creativity in unexpected places and lots of joyful weirdness?”

Chances are the answer is no, but we recently tweeted this question to the community: “What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of First Friday?” The answer overwhelmingly reflected the above.

The truth is, no matter how you identify yourself, First Friday is adopting a new category: Inclusive. Our numbers prove that inclusivity and Las Vegas really get along — well! In the last two years, First Friday has grown to 25,000 attendees, from 8,000.

So what is the allure and who are these people seeking inclusivity in Las Vegas of all places? They are people who don’t need validation from others and return this in kind. They are people willing to embrace a new view of Las Vegas. People who want to see the facade come down and get ready to build from the grit.

First Friday attendees are people who believe reality is created out of magic and that without magic we have nothing. No electricity, no precious air conditioning, not even fire.

FFLV