Sarnia’s monthly ‘cultural walkabout’ ready to warm up February

Once again, First Friday, the cultural walkabout in downtown Sarnia is almost upon us, with a variety of events and showings planned, including:

At Ups N' Downs (226 Front St. N.): Bluetonium, appearing from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m..

At Limbo Lunch Lounge and Martini House (196 Christina St. N.): Braun Halo, a three piece acoustic band featuring Brian Hall and Friends.

At Stardust Book Lounge (190 Christina St. N.): "Jen Brace." Catering by the "Swanky Ladies."

At the Story (179 Christina St. N.): "DEBTASTIC!" is one in a series of "social installations," in this case outlining how debt is "deeply integrated into our stories in North America."

At the R.W. Lawton Gallery of  Imperial Theatre: "Seeing Red." Opening Feb. 4, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Also a sneak peak at Theatre Sarnia's upcoming WODL Festival entry play, Fallen Angels..

At Trinity Lounge (146 Christina St. N.): First Friday After Party, featuring a DJ with no cover.

At Cheeky Monkey (130 Christina St. N.): The Old Crusty Minstrels, a guitar-based harmonizing group.

At Lawrence House Centre for the Arts (127 Christina St. S.): Printmaker Carlos Gomez and performance artist Mark Reiinhart. Music by students from Ecole Secondaire Saint-Francois-Xavier.

At Artopia (136 Christina St. N.): "Out of the Blue": Jewellery by Caroline Berube. Caroline's creations of silver and gold with blue stones and objects from the ocean have a monochromatic feel.

At Susan Kristjansson Gallery (186 1/2 Christina St. N.): "Soil to Sky: creations of nature and man," a contemporary fine art exhibit featuring paintings by Torontonian artists Tina Ding and David Vasquez, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

At the Urban Nature Centre (184 Christina St. N.): Learn about the exciting opportunities and new developments with "Return the Landscape, an environmental stewardship program being organized locally for Sarnia-Lambton.

At Blackwater Coffee and Tea Co. (170 Christina St. N.): "Come and cozy up by our fireplace," say owners Dave Duguay and Alyssa Duguay. "Same great fresh roasted coffee. Fresh new look."

At Gallery Lambton Sadie Knowles Gallery: Up Close and Personal IV: Nearly a century ago, a group of women saw the need for an art gallery in Sarnia. These women collected rags and scrap paper, fundraising for the acquisition of some of our most treasured works. As we rejoice in the rich history of Canadian art, we celebrate this community's remarkable foresight in understanding the importance of conservation for the future. Up Close and Personal IV represents not only the great works of national importance, but the ongoing support and appreciation of art and culture in our community. From the Sarnia Woman's Conservation Art Association's early purchases of work by members of the Group of Seven and their contemporaries through decades of generous gifts and support from local individuals and industries, Gallery Lambton's broad collection is able to tell a remarkable story of Canadian art. Join us in treasuring these works and their histories, of which we are proud.

Junior Baker, 165 Lochiel St., is hosting an open house at its new facility, three doors down from their old location, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Tags: arts, downtown sarnia, First Friday