February First Friday picks: Arts, beer & more

It's that special time when Friday is not just Friday but a glorious little nugget of community entertainment. Here's the forecast for First Friday, Feb. 6.

Experience a wealth of sensory delight at Asian Arts Initiative's (1219 Vine St.) reception and community meal surrounding its latest exhibit "Pallets & Palates: Placing Taste, Sound and Sight." Utilizing repurposed industrial pallets and ceramic fermentation crocks, paintings and sound art, the community-building aspect of meals is explored. The reception and meal runs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Shop from a collective of Philadelphia lifestyle good makers at Art in the Age (116 N. 3rd St.) when they welcome representatives from Honest Alchemy, Good Wear Co., Forager Co., Custom Lifestyle, and Bombyx Vintage for First Friday. From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. chat, shop and sip on exclusive Art in the Age beverages.

If you think you've seen it all, think again. Little Berlin (2430 Coral St.) hosts a Robot Fight Club night. From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., come to build your own robot and get a chance to sign up for Hebocon a robot sumo wrestling competition for the technologically declined — held later this month.

Here's an excuse to get dressed up. The opening reception for "Touched," a collaborative show featuring 15 artists, will run from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at The First Banana (2152 E. Dauphin St.) and feature tunes from local punk rockers Sparklefight. Your most elegant attire is requested.

The city's hippest young professionals can have a chance to mix and mingle at Crane Arts (1400 N. American St.) for a preview of InLiquid's benefit auction. From 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., place bids on artwork, enjoy some snacks and cocktails, and leave feeling like a class act.

Performing arts come to the spotlight at Headlong Dance Theater (1170 S. Broad St.) for a selection of new dance works, poetry, comedy and more. They're offering two showings: One at 6:30 p.m. and one at 8 p.m. Free beer and food will be at both.

Cheers to the weekend. Bottle Bar East (1308 Frankford Ave.) hosts a Do Good Brewing Company release party for their Do Good Milk Street Stout with additional drink and food samples from Manayunk Brewery and Restaurant starting at 7 p.m. As the night goes on, you'll transition from jazz to DJ tuneage.

Curious about what the future holds? Queen of Wands Tarot will be giving free tarot card readings at Scout Salvage (21 N. 3rd St.) from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Vintage shopping may also be in your future — shop and snack while you await your reading.

The short documentary "SEPTA: In Motion" will screen at Vinyl Revival (35-37 N. Lansdowne Ave., Lansdowne) for a BYOB First Friday event. The doc, giving a look at the day-to-day life at SEPTA's control center in Center City, will begin at 7:30 p.m. and a Q&A with the film's executive producer, producer, assistant director, and SEPTA's suburban supervisor will follow.

A collective of female performers, ranging in discipline from harp to vocals to dance, will perform beginning at 8 p.m. at FringeArts (140 N. Columbus Blvd.) for a curated event celebrating femininity across cultures.

Danger Salon (108 E. Girard Ave.) will be transformed into a scene fit for a drag queen. Mistor Fahrenheit, Luna LaVey and PrettyGirl will kick off a night of drag and dancing starting at 9 p.m. Even better? Free PBR and Sailor Jerry drinks.