first fridays
October 12, 2023
GC artists take to First Fridays
The city of Goshen held a downtown arts tour on Oct. 6 as a part of First Fridays. Artists had 22 locations downtown to display art, and Goshen College students set up shop where there are usually baked goods and produce for sale: the farmer’s market. Among the onions, apples and Amish cheese were collections from eight student artists showcasing and selling their work. Mira Yoder sold mature paintings while she knitted. Lukas Bontrager-Waite for The Record Meanwhile, on the opposite end of town, fast-paced drum beats, smooth saxophone solos and uproarious brass resounded in the halls of the Goshen...
October 8, 2015
Lavender Jazz entertains at First Fridays
This past October weekend, Goshen’s First Fridays featured a special event: the first season performance of Goshen College’s own Lavender Jazz. Directed by Adjunct Professor of Music, Christopher French, Lavender Jazz is GC’s jazz band comprised of about twenty students and community members. The band features brass and woodwind instruments, as well as a rhythm section that includes piano, upright bass, vibraphone, drums, and a ukulele. At the Friday performance, the band played pieces by Count Basie like “Moten Swing,” and “One O’Clock Jump,” as well as other jazz staples, like “Take the A Train,” “Gentle Rain” and “Shining Stockings.”...
October 1, 2014
Lavender Jazz Playing At First Fridays
Swing Club will join Lavender Jazz at October First Fridays. Goshen College’s Lavender Jazz will team up with GC’s Swing Club for an easy listening and swing dancing event this weekend. This event will take place as part of downtown Goshen’s October First Fridays. This event is an opportunity for GC students to interact with the broader city of Goshen. This year, the band Lavender Jazz has a new director. Christopher French, adjunct music professor, is replacing Christopher Fashun. In addition to teaching, French is an accomplished clarinetist, saxophonist and flutist who performs in several area ensembles. In a recent...
October 13, 2013
Twenty shades of lavender
From Sauder Concert Hall to the streets of downtown Goshen, Lavender Jazz—Goshen College’s jazz ensemble—plays an assortment of styles including salsa, funk, Latin, rhythm and blues, as well as standard jazz repertoire. You may have seen them recently during October’s First Friday event. John Miller, senior said,“It’s the longest and most public performance we do, and it’s only a month into school.” Miller has been in Lavender jazz all four years, and plays the upright as well as the electric bass. “My high school had a fantastic jazz program, and through playing in it, I gained an appreciation for the...
January 12, 2012
A hot performance at First Fridays
Goshen’s First Fridays event on Jan. 6, themed “fire and ice,” was eventful with food and entertainment. Ice sculptures lined Main Street, featuring themes from local businesses. A chili competition between businesses on Saturday heated up the end of the two-day event. Perhaps the hottest part of the celebration, though, was the Pyrotation Nation fire spinning performance on Washington Blvd. on Friday night. Pyrotation Nation, Inc. (PN) has been in business for less than one year and is comprised of nine fire spinners and five fire safety personnel. Performers use poi, rope dart, nunchucks and flaming staffs to entertain their...
November 30, 2011
“Goshen Graphix” book release at First Fridays
A collection of student graphic novels will be released on Friday at Better World Books. The second edition of "Goshen Graphix" contains seven graphic novels created by students in the May 2010 Graphic Novel class. Better World Books will be hosting a release party at 5 p.m. on the same day. Four student novelists—Nate Day, Josh Delp, Mary Roth and Elspeth Stalter—will present their favorite pages and reflect upon their work. The two editors, Mary Roth and Anna Ruth, will also share their experience piecing together the book—a process which included scanning, photo editing and final corrections. Light refreshments will...
November 2, 2011
November First Friday approaches
It is the first week of November, which means that this month’s First Friday is quickly approaching on Friday. A live show, tasty food and store specials are just a few of the things in line for the evening. If good food is what you’re after, you might be in luck. Maple City Market is offering free samples of some of their items, as well as an opportunity to win a free turkey for Thanksgiving. Mattern’s Deli is another place to dine this Friday. Mattern’s will feature pork chops, steak sandwiches, and other satisfying meals. First Fridays are known for...
November 2, 2011
Kansas Bible Company returns to Goshen to perform at First Fridays
Playing sweet melodies of funky surf rock, the vivacious group of 11 band members formally known as the Kansas Bible Company will return to Goshen to play at the Goshen Theater tomorrow night. These former Goshen College students will make their way from Nashville, Tenn. to show First Friday goers their journey, “to the stars through rugged ways.” The show begins at 8 p.m. as a part of the musical entertainment of this month’s downtown Goshen events. Jason Samuel, communications professor and general manager of 91.1 The Globe, will emcee this free event sponsored by Downtown Goshen Inc. The band...
October 5, 2011
Lavendar Jazz highlight First Fridays
ith the beginning of a new month comes another First Fridays in downtown Goshen, and Goshen College’s Lavender Jazz group will provide music. “There will be a lot of festivities going on,” said DaVonne Harris, director of student activities. “It will definitely be worth coming down for.” Lavender Jazz will play two sets Friday evening. The first runs from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. and the second from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. During the break, Mark and Krista Daniels, both Goshen alumni, will give swing-dancing lessons. When Lavender Jazz comes back on for their second set, they will focus more on...
February 5, 2011
Celebrate the first Friday of the month in downtown Goshen
Watch the movies “Up” (6:30 p.m.) or “Rebel Without a Cause” (8:30 p.m.) for free at the Goshen Theater (216 S. Main St.) Pose for a free professional picture of you and your sweetheart at Lab213 from 5-9 p.m. as part of the sweetheart portraits business promotion (213 S. Main St.) Buy a prom or party dress for $25 at the Joselena Fashions and Alterations liquidation sale from 5-9 p.m. (125 E. Lincoln Ave.) Eat sloppy joes, fries and cole slaw at Maple City Market from 5-9 p.m. (314 S. Main St.)
September 30, 2009
First Fridays: a frenzy of GC activity
October brings a First Fridays weekend featuring both salsa and swing dance, among much more. First Fridays is an event on the first Friday of every month where local shops and local artists set up outdoor booths and offer special activities and performances in downtown Goshen. This particular First Fridays features an exceptional amount of involvement by Goshen College students. The Jake Miller Band will be starting things off with a performance at 5:30 p.m., followed by “Salsa Verde”—the newly named Goshen College Salsa Club—at 6:45 p.m. Salsa Verde will give lessons before their performance, and then they will open...
April 1, 2009
Earth Day sparks First Fridays ‘Green Day’
In recognition of Earth Day during the month of April, the First Friday downtown is declaring a Green Day. The Mill Race Farmer's Market will be at the center of many of the activities on Friday, beginning at 5 p.m. The farmer's market will mark the starting and finishing point of a 5k run and 3k walk. The course will proceed south on the Mill Race trail and make a loop in Shanklin Park. Registration for the race begins at 5 p.m. (the cost is $20), and the race begins at 6 p.m. Participants can save $5 if they register...
March 4, 2009
Art, dancing, theater highlight March First Friday
The city of Goshen is full of artists and performers whose talents will be showcased this weekend through the March First Friday theme of Goshen Arts Festival. Whether you prefer visual art, music or theater, there are a variety of options to suit any taste. The Minor Profits and Grooveside, both local bands, will perform from 6-9 p.m. at the Goshen Theater. Those looking for a more interactive night of music can attend swing dance lessons given by the Goshen College Swing Club from 7-8 p.m. at the Spohn Ballroom at 109 E. Clinton St. Lessons will be followed by...
February 4, 2009
As of Friday, Goshen is for lovers
Friday marks the monthly downtown Goshen First Fridays event. The main activities will be movies and Valentine’s Day specials under the theme “Goshen is 4 Lovers.” Several films will be shown nonstop from 5 – 6:30 p.m. in the Goshen Theater. Two will be independent films: Skateboarder Romance by Taylor Wogoman, about a skater who is late for a date with his girlfriend; and Tanked by Richard Keel, about a man struggling with life after his infant son dies, and life seems to be “tanked.” Following the two films, Kung Fu Panda will show at 7 p.m. All films are...