Las Vegas Weekly

• Tweet
• 
• Print
• 

When most think about First Friday the initial images that come to mind are just that: images. Many of us have perused the vast grounds, observing the tangible objets d’art—prints, ceramics and items emblazoned with original, computer-generated graphics. But the monthly event also celebrates the kind of art you can’t put in a bag to take home: dance, music and spoken word.

Catch the latter two at R2K Studio’s Art of Music, an exhibit series launching this month. The premiere features a live performance by hip-hop artist/spoken-word poet Random Abiladeze, notable for prevailing in poetry slams across Northern California. Complementing the music of Abiladeze will be a rock ’n’ roll photography exhibit from Erik Kabik. Since breaking into the biz at a 1990 Grateful Dead show, Kabik has captured some of the world’s most iconic musicians. He ballparks he’s shot around 500 concerts in his career—with no signs of burnout. “It seems like every year or two there’s some new iconic artist. Right now it’s Lady Gaga, for example,” he says. “When I photographed her last year it certainly was a rush. Those moments pop up every so often.