First Friday: The Brian MacDonald Trio at NBMAA

Held monthly, First Friday offers a dose of something fresh and exciting to begin your weekend. With the galleries as your backdrop, First Friday gives visitors the opportunity to dance to local musicians, sample food and sip drinks from some of the area’s best suppliers, participate in engaging activities, and shop handmade goods from various Maker’s Market vendors. No matter the month, First Friday will provide a new and unique experience.

MUSIC

Americana rock musician Brian MacDonald has performed extensively throughout the East Coast for the last four decades. His songs have appeared in major motion pictures, T.V. programs, and commercials, and he has performed with renowned musical artists, such as James Taylor, Paul Simon, Ben E. King, and more. MacDonald currently lives and works in Hartford, Connecticut.

Hartford-based band Keepers of the Vibe consists of musicians Amanda Sloan, Christopher DonLox Gordon, Jovan Alexandre, Tucker Emerson, Devon Long, and Dwayne Keith. This group’s goal is to express peace, love, and harmony by way of performing a cross genre of funk, hip hop, rock, and dance.

ACTIVITIES

Docent-led tour of the permanent collection.

MAKER’S MARKET

Shop handcrafted gourds by Chris Gooding, whose work is inspired by her childhood spent on a dairy farm in the Berkshires.

Southington-based Azra Hussain has been designing jewelry since 2006, and draws inspiration from the four seasons of New England and from her Indian-American heritage, incorporating bright colors and flawless craftsmanship.