First Friday Salinas is growing with an expanded vision (and funding) from the Arts Council.

Last Friday, Nov. 7, the City of Salinas and the Arts Council for Monterey County (Arts4MC) launched an improved First Friday Salinas event, trying to activate three blocks of Main Street. Arts4MC estimates the attractions—music, art, vendors and stores that stayed open late—brought about 400 people to downtown last Friday night.

The festivities started at 5pm sharp in front of the Steinbeck National Center in the newly renamed venue One Main Street, with live music and live poetry (baile folklórico performances by the Boronda DIAS Tonatitos, poetry readings by Monterey County Poet Laureate Rachelle Escamilla and Monterey County Youth Poet Laureate Mya Pop).

“I think there was lots of entertainment for all ages,” Arts4MC Executive Director Jacquie Atchison says. “We had activities in all three blocks, but it will always be a work in progress, as we make plans to add more businesses to invite entertainment into their space and stay open until 8pm.”

One of the biggest attractions was undoubtedly Razz, an aerialist and electric violinist, who stopped passersby with music and acrobatic movements on a hoola-hoop-like circle. She performed in front of AquaBlue Spa at 229 Main St., one of many businesses that stayed open late.

Another focal meeting point of the night was the ArtWorks@Salinas gallery (262 Main St.), full of artists available to speak to visitors about their art. There was a musician playing in the space, as well as a Día de Muertos altar by the entrance.

Old Town Antiques (202 S. Main St.) attracted a steady traffic of customers, some of them first-timers, Atchison adds. Alliance on Aging (247 Main St.), a nonprofit that provides services for seniors, also stayed open with a special senior art exhibition and an ornament-decorating activity that the entire family could enjoy. 

A more spontaneous First Friday development was the fact that hair salons in the neighborhood stayed open, and customers were taking advantage of this fact, getting haircuts. 

“I did see the barber shop House of Blends open late,” says Arts4MC  Communications Director Nelly Otsu, “and from the outside it looked like all the seats were taken and I could hear the music playing. It felt like a party inside the shop. I'm not sure of their regular schedule, but it was great to see them busy and enjoying the night as well.”

Arts4MC received a $40,000 sponsorship from the City of Salinas for a First Friday Salinas expansion, and another $66,000 grant from California Jobs First/Uplift to be used through August 2026. The purpose is to build a cultural district downtown and then apply for the Cultural District Distinction award with the California Arts Council. 

The Arts Council is also planning more collaboration with other initiatives in downtown Salinas, such as Trish Sullivan of Downtown Book and Sound or Artists Ink, which organizes a craft and culture art market. “We also plan to continue to add art activities for kids and more entertainment in businesses,” Atchison adds, "and hopefully utilize some of the closed businesses' storefronts for entertainment, pop-ups, etc.”

The ultimate hope with First Friday Salinas is to create a space where residents and visitors alike can enjoy the diverse offerings of local businesses and experience something fun and creative. The next First Friday Salinas will take place on Friday, Dec. 5.