COUNTY News:

Visitors and newcomers to Los Alamos – one of the top 10 “Best Small Towns to Visit in 2013” (Smithsonian Magazine, March 2013) will get to enjoy a number of special cultural, historical and educational events with “Downtown Friday Nights,” every other Friday on June 14, June 28, July 12 and July 26.

Downtown Friday Nights is sponsored by the Los Alamos Creative District in coordination with local businesses and cultural organizations.

“Downtown Friday Nights are a great kick-off to programming in the Creative District – our version of an Arts and Culture District in Los Alamos,” said Linda Deck, Museum Director of the Bradbury Science Museum, and Downtown Friday Nights promotion coordinator. “We’re drawing on the already wonderful arts, culture and creative places and people in Los Alamos, and gathering them together in a ‘critical mass’ so that there are multiple ways to feed your creative side. This is just the first of a continuing lineup of Creative District events throughout the year.”

Activities and special events will be scheduled 5-8 p.m. on each of the four Fridays in coordination with: the Fuller Lodge Art Center; Bandelier National Monument; Bradbury Science Museum; Los Alamos Historical Society; Mesa Public Library; Pet Pangaea; and many other participating venues and merchants in Los Alamos.

Live music will top off the evening on each of the Friday nights from 7-10 p.m., as part of the Gordon’s Summer Concert Series. Concerts are free and take place at Ashley Pond. Bands include: Lightnin’ Malcolm (June 14); SIMO (June 28); West African Highlife (July 12) and Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys (July 26).

Downtown Friday Nights events:

Friday, June 14

• Bradbury Science Museum from 5-8 p.m. – Discover Los Alamos: a Night for Newcomers. Learn about getting involved with many local cultural, civic, and sports organizations. Located at 1350 Central Ave.
• Fuller Lodge Art Center from 4-9 p.m. – Sneak peak of new “Wallflowers” exhibit. Crafts for children and an information table sponsored by Bandelier National Monument takes place from 5-7 p.m. Located at 2132 Central Ave.

Friday, June 28

• Bradbury Science Museum from 5-8 p.m. – “What’s in a Click: The Wonders of High-Speed Imaging” featuring live demonstrations. Located at 1350 Central Ave.
• Fuller Lodge Art Center at 5-7 p.m. – Opening of “Wallflowers” exhibit featuring floral art by NM artists; NM Garden Clubs’ District II Jurors Flower Show; finger food; live music; and more. Crafts for children and an information table sponsored by Bandelier National Monument takes place from 5-7 p.m. Exhibit continues through July 23.
• Los Alamos Historical Society from 4-6 p.m. – Enjoy tapas, a wine bar and the soothing sounds of classical guitar by Patrick Burns during “History Happy Hour.” Located at 1050 Bathtub Row.

Friday, July 12

• Bradbury Science Museum from 5-8 p.m. – See the return of a popular exhibit simulating nuclear fission from the old Bradbury during “Pinocchio Reanimated!”
• Los Alamos Historical Society from 5-8 p.m. – Learn about medieval-era living through history demonstrations with “Society for Creative Anachronism.” Takes place at the Fuller Lodge lawn.
• Mesa Public Library from 4:30-6:30 p.m. – “Mostly Clear and Partly Cloudy: Climate as Metaphor” exhibit opening reception, featuring work by mixed media artists Shaun Gilmore and Janice Wall. The exhibition, which explores climate issues through abstraction, is open through Aug. 4. Crafts and games are also scheduled. Located at 2400 Central Ave.

Friday, July 26

• Bradbury Science Museum from 5-8 p.m. – Help the Bradbury Museum celebrate the opening of exhibits on nanotechnology and algal biofuels with a grand opening celebration featuring talks, demonstrations and more. Located at 1350 Central Ave.
• Los Alamos Historical Society from 4-6 p.m. – Celebrate National History Day with award-winning presentations. Located at 1050 Bathtub Row.
• KRSN-AM from 4-8 p.m. – Help those in need by painting a bowl as part of the “Empty Bowls Project,” which benefits Self Help Inc. Takes place at the Los Alamos Historical Museum, located at 1050 Bathtub Row.
• Mesa Public Library from 3-4 p.m. – “Mostly Clear and Partly Cloudy: Climate as Metaphor” gallery talk with artists Shaun Gilmore and Janice Wall. Located at 2400 Central Ave. Exhibit open through Aug. 4.

Dog owners are invited to bring their furry family members for an evening group walk around the Creative District each of the Friday nights, coordinated by Pet Pangaea. Please meet at Pet Pangaea before 6 p.m., located at 158 Central Park Square. Karen Wray Fine Art-Gallery and Studio, at 1475 Central Ave. Suite 125, will extend their hours for shoppers until 8 p.m. each of the Friday nights as well.

KKOB-AM in cooperation with Los Alamos County will also be hosting a “Los Alamos Radio Day” 4-9 p.m. Friday, June 28 in conjunction with the Downtown Friday Night Series. KKOB-AM on-air personalities, Billy Cornelius and Scott Stigler, will host “Los Alamos Radio Day” at Ashley Pond, featuring six 10-minute segments with several Los Alamos officials.

Segments will include interviews with: Katy Korkos (Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce); Jason Lott (Bandelier National Monument); Rob Dixon (Valles Caldera National Preserve) and Steve Watts (Los Alamos Co-Op Manager); Thad Hahn (Ski Pajarito); Bill Priedhorsky (Los Alamos Mountaineers); Heather McClenahan (Los Alamos Historical Society) and Kelly Stewart (Los Alamos County Economic Development).

For more information about Downtown Friday Nights, visit www.creativelosalamos.org or call Los Alamos MainStreet at 505-661-4844.