First Fridays: Celebrating Cortland County Culture
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Event has endedFirst Fridays offer an opportunity to explore Cortland while enjoying a night on the town. Coordinated by the Cultural Council of Cortland County, these events invite the community to embrace cultural and art activities offered by various venues. Taking place on May 3 from 5pm to 8pm, the event features several free open-house activities which visitors can drop in and out of over the course of the evening. “In honor of Bike Month this May, we are encouraging visitors to ride their bike to events on First Friday,” explains Kat McCarthy, Executive Director of the Cultural Council. “It’s great that the roll-out of Lime bikes in the City took place right before this event, so those who do not otherwise have access to a bicycle still have options.” Venues this month include the 1890 House Museum, Cinch Art Space, the Cortland Free Library, Instant Artist, and the YWCA Cortland. Each activity is unique and connected to various aspects of the local community. At Cinch Art Space from 5 – 7 pm, visitors can help decorate the Corset Building’s new Little Free Library box and review an assortment of Donkey Tracks Birdhouses that are entirely made from recycled materials. Also located in the Cortland Corset Building, Instant Artist will be offering a workshop for individuals to create their own wood plank photo holder from 6 – 8:30 pm. Individuals interested in participating in the Instant Artist class will need to register at least two days in advance. Closer to downtown, the Cortland Free Library will showcase selected art works from Cortland School (K-12) students. With a focus local history this May, the YWCA Cortland will be displaying pictures, research, and newspaper articles related to the infamous Gillette Murder Case of 1906. Around the corner, the 1890 House Museum will highlight a different aspect of local history by holding a Player Piano Concert on the museum’s self-playing 1920’s piano. From 5:30 to 8 pm visitors can stop in to learn what topped the charts from 1890 to 1930, try their hand at playing the piano, and gain insight into the lives of one of Cortland’s famous historic families. The community is invited to visit one or multiple sites over the course of the evening. Maps will be available at the Cultural Council website or at participating venues. For more information about First Friday, please visit: https://www.culturalcouncilofcortlandcounty.org/first-fridays.