The Poet Pistachio entertained locals and visitors while they ate and shopped with his unrehearsed improv poetry late Friday evening.
“My poems that are never rehearsed, on Abbot Kinney, this is my first!” Said Pistachio of his first performance at First Friday. “Always unrehearsed, those strings of words have never been expressed in the universe before, as far as I know!”
And so began this month’s First Friday at Abbot Kinney in the heart of Venice Beach. The event runs every first Friday of the month from 6 to 10 p.m. on Abbot Kinney Boulevard where local merchants feature food, drinks, art, music, and more. Locals and visitors are encouraged to come out enjoy the streets stretch of food, art, entertainment, and shopping.
With over 500 visitors for First Friday, there was ample street parking and free public lots. However, for those that did not want to search for a spot or have a long trek back to the car, $20 valet parking was offered.
Gourmet food trucks lined the street and parking lots, offering specialized cuisines for every kind of taste bud. With over 20 food trucks in attendance, anything you want, one of the trucks is sure to have it. Food trucks like the Garbage Truck, the Border Grill, the Mac N Cheese Truck, Rounds Burgers, Sweet Arleens, Curb a Peel, Gravy Train and many more were present.
First Fridays merchants and food trucks offer visitors the option to buy things via Kuapay.
“Kuapay is a mobile application that allows users to basically turn their wallet into a digital one,” said sales analyst and head marketer for Kuapay, Nicholas Richwine. “This is our fifth or sixth First Friday here in Venice.”
This First Friday, Kuapay encouraged visitors to find someone wearing the ‘Kuapay’ t-shirt to receive a free $5 credit toward their next purchase from a food truck.
Local merchants stay open later and sometimes offer specials on First Fridays. The bars and restaurants on Abott Kinney quickly fill up with First Friday goers and the sidewalks are crammed with people enjoying the event. However, “Back in 2008 only 50 people came to this event,” said blog writer and editor of abbotkinney1stfridays.com, Janet Gervers. December is a little bit slower but there is usually over 1,000 people.”
Businesses on Abott Kinney Boulevard like Zingara, a global mercantile, stay open especially late for First Fridays.
“We have little events, like we have smores out in the back yard tonight,” said shop owner, Donna Humphrey. “Business doesn’t dramatically change from this, but it’s fun.”
Whether it be date night, family dinner out or a night out on the town, it looks like First Fridays on Abbot Kinney are a real hit. Or in the Poet Pistachio’s words, “I think First Fridays, there will be more, and other First Fridays I will explore, that judging the record, that this night I’ve had so far, I will certainly schlep my ass over here in my car!”
