First Friday

Back in Philadelphia, First Friday - taking place on the first Friday of every month is a thing to celebrate. Old City becomes newly alive as art galleries stay open late and people are coming in and out and in a vibrant mix of urban, bohemian, artistic, yuppie, and hip elements. The same is true in Honolulu.

Only in Honolulu it's not "Old City" but Chinatown that comes alive. Last night, I went alone to First Friday as Layla and Jon wimped out because they have a baby. As did Layla's friends. So I ventured out alone and am so happy that I did.

The art was beautiful, so many nice and cool people that I met. Drinking wine. Drinking beer. Looking at art. One exhibit that stood out for me was The Aloha President, where a photographer took pictures of Barack Obama when he was staying here last year on a break from the campaign trail. Incredibly, he was staying across from her house so she had great access to him and the pictures are beautiful and moving. She said she looks at him as a work of art. And while I don't believe in deifying Barack, I do believe that people are art and that he, who is so beautiful, so pensive, so passionate, and so inspiring with those dashing good looks that stands for Global Citizen is certainly a fantastic figure to photograph. There were so many interesting people and artists.

There was also these awesome dancers in a Chinese dragon outfit with fire and people surrounding them playing percussive instruments.

Eventually as the galleries closed, the bars and clubs opened. A little drunk, I went dancing at a club. And as far as being single in Honolulu, it was certainly a good night. Oddly, I ended it the same way I started my morning: having a cheeseburger at a place called Zippy's.

Any way, it was a fantastic First Friday.