ODESSA (May 1, 2024) – Everyone is invited to join us this Friday, May 3, at Odessa College Downtown for OC’s 16th Annual Drive to Success Finale car giveaway, followed by a free community concert by The Bearded Strangers. The festivities are part of the evening’s First Friday ODTX Series with Odessa Arts and Downtown Odessa.
Starting at 5:30 p.m., OC will celebrate the success of its students during the Drive to Success Finale, and one of seven student finalists will be awarded a brand new 2024 Ford Mustang. Afterwards, guests can enjoy free hot dogs, treats prepared by the OC Culinary Department, the splashpad, and a giveaway of car sunshades.
At 7 p.m., The Bearded Strangers take the stage for a lively evening filled with music and an appearance by their special guest NBC The Voice’s Austin Allsup. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy another concert as a part of OC’s Music Masters Series of events.
This month’s First Friday event also offers something for everyone including:
Young Professionals of Odessa (YPO) First Friday Passport Challenge: YPO has put together a passport highlighting participating First Friday stops. If you visit 20 or more stops on the passport, you can turn it into the Odessa Arts and Downtown Odessa booth (at 5th and Grant vendor market) to be entered to win a Cowboy Cocktail Prize Pack.
Passports can be picked up at any “participating businesses” locations or the vendor markets after 5 PM CT on Friday, May 3, 2024.
Medical Center Health System 75th Anniversary Kick-Off: Join MCH to celebrate its 75th Anniversary with the first-ever MCH Diamond Dash Fun Run as part of the First Friday ODTX Series. Registration for the 2K Fun Run is only $10; each runner will receive a free t-shirt!
Registration link: https://bit.ly/MCHFunRunMay24. The race begins at 6 PM. MCH will also host a
FREE concert featuring featuring Brian Milson followed by the Barnhearts out of Lubbock. The concert will be in the MCH parking lot at 3rd and Alleghaney. Concertgoers are invited to bring lawn chairs and enjoy music and dancing! Parking will be available in the MCH parking garage and the MCH lot at 2nd and Golder.
Fire Artist's Dinner Party Art Show (Homemade Wines, 400 N Texas Ave, Odessa, TX) In collaboration of 27 Local West Texas Ceramic Artists, will host "Fire Artists' Dinner Party" on Friday, May 3rd at Homemade Wines. Each of the 27 place settings was created to showcase the artist's unique style and is meant to be a reflective narrative. This event is free to the public. No reservation is needed. The 27 local artists featured are:
- Julie Lyon
- Natalie Jordan
- Daiken Akasawa
- Armida Ramirez
- Lauren Van Zandt
- Beatris Mata
- Charlie Atchley
- Kathy Jones
- Judith Guerra
- Abby Blalock
- Gabriela Granado
- Laura Holder
- Christina Ramirez
- Marina Arreguy
- Cindy Duke
- Jana Elrod
- Rosario Carrillo
- Nayeli Bracamontes
- Nathan Jordan
- Danielle Collins
- Brett McElmurry
- Daniel Dayon
- Tim Smith
- Beau More
- Jesse Trejo
- Mike Richardson
- Paige Gate
Vendor Markets:
- 5th & Grant: We're closing down the street by the trumpet mural for a vendor market with local businesses.
- Black Cultural Council of Odessa: will have a vendor market, music, and $5 line dancing classes at the Gertrude Bruce Center.
- Copper Rose Ballroom: featuring The Flying Pig Bakery and Confections, Sweet Stix, Vintage Savvy Style, Bags Galore with Melinda, April’s Sweet & Sourdough, MusicLove Products, Family Affair, Desert Artic Treats, Ma’Moos Treasures, hot Mess Giraff, Bedazzle $5 Bling, The Quirky Cupookie, Wrightswares, and Sweet Stix.
- Sacrificial Needle (1500 N Grant Ave, Odessa, TX): will have a local vendor market, live art demonstrations, and specials on tattoos and piercings.
Art Galleries:
- Copper Key Gifts (405 N Grant Ave, Odessa, TX): Odessa Hispanic Art Association Art Gallery
- The Downtown Venue (515 N Grant Ave) Creatives of West Texas are hosting a PopUp art gallery
Participating Businesses:
- Copper Rose Building (415 N Grant Ave, Odessa, TX):
- 1st Floor:
- Vendor Market at the Copper Rose Venue
- Warp Zone
- The Craft Shop
- Basement: Retro Game Hall will be open for extended hours and will host tabletop and video games.
- 1st Floor:
- Ector County Library (321 W 5th St, Odessa, TX): Visit the library from 4 - 6 PM to view the “Finding the Light” sculpture from local artist Mary Armstrong.
- Flair Taverna (2701 John Ben Shepperd Pkwy, Odessa, TX): Live Music from Groove City
- Glitz Downtown Salon (112 W 5th St, Odessa, TX): 3rd Year Anniversary Party
- Joann's on 5th Flowers (610 W 5th St, Odessa, TX) Frida Inspired Floral DIY, Floral Bar, and Kendra Scott Jewelry will be on-site selling jewelry from their latest collection
- Lincoln Tower (311 W 4th St, Odessa, TX) Tik Tok Challenge: Draw Your Partner Challenge, no cost to participate and supplies will be provided
- M Elemental Therapeutics (419 N Jackson Ave, Odessa, TX) - free 5-minute massages
- McJack's General Store (411 N. Grant Ave, Odessa, TX) Free balloon animals from 6:30-8:30 PM
- NV Apples (606 W 5th St, Odessa, TX) open for extended hours
- Odessa Arts (Vendor Market on 5th and Grant) Membership table that will be where you can redeem your $20 receipts or YPO First Friday Passports for your chance to win free tshirts and other prizes. Odessa Arts will also have coupons for ½ drinks at Scooters.
- Odessa Marriott (305 E 5th St, Odessa, TX) Cinco de Mayo food and drink specials
- Patrick Clay's Tavern (418 North Grant, Odessa, TX) $30 tattoos at Evil Ink Tattoos.
- Rooster’s Diner (615 N Sam Houston Ave, Odessa, TX) drink specials
- Scooters Coffee (801 N Grant Ave, Odessa, TX) 1/2 Any Drink with coupon; coupons can be picked up at the Odessa Arts table or on Odessa Arts Facebook Page
- Simplee Posh (516 N Grant Ave, Odessa, TX) Open for extended business hours with special Cinco de Mayo-themed lite bites and deals on merchandise
- Skalicky Ballet (118 E 8th St, Odessa, TX) - will host a free 30-minute ballet class from 6 - 6:30 PM.
- Starbucks Downtown (305 E 5th St, Odessa, TX) will host fan favorite Candice Harding, for free typewriter poetry.
- Sunflower RX (110 E 7th St, Odessa, TX) Sidewalk chalk competition with the prize being a First Friday ODTX Swag Bag
- UTPB Student Made (415 N Grant Ave, Odessa, TX): selling handmade goods and artwork.
*Line up schedule to change.
