1st Friday:

The Big 

Easy set

for Oct. 7

PUTNAM — After five exciting evenings exploring Art & The American City, the 2016 First Fridays season arrives at its final destination, New Orleans, aka The Big Easy. From 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 7, downtown Putnam will celebrate this uniquely cultural city – from the infectious and danceable Zydeco music, to flavorful food, and moving artwork. The October event will also see the return of the First Fridays Zombie Fashion Show. All of this, combined with dozens of art vendors, gallery openings, and live performances will make it an evening to remember.

For the October event, the Community Arts table will feature a collective art project that was inspired by a New Orleans artist. In 2011, Candy Chang turned the side of an abandoned house in her neighborhood in New Orleans into a giant chalkboard and stenciled it with the sentence “Before I die I want to _______.”  The wall invited anyone walking by to pick up a piece of chalk, reflect on their lives, and share their personal aspirations in a public space. The wall quickly captured the hopes and wishes of hundreds of people and inspired cities across the globe to start their own walls. On Oct. 7, Putnam will launch its own wall, with the goal of bringing the community together.

Headlining the festival for October is Zydeco Connection. Bringing Louisiana zydeco music to New England since 2004, Zydeco Connection’s music is dominated by the button or piano accordion and a form of washboard called the rubboard. Their irresistible sounds and driving rhythms will fill Main Street with music and dancing throughout the evening. Over in Union Square, JP Beausoleil & Leo Charpentier of Original Jelly Roll Soul will bring a musical experience to the stage that is exciting, uplifting, danceable, and educational. Drawing from influences such as New Orleans Jazz, swing, jump, hard bop and Afro-Cuban, JP Beausoleil & Leo Charpentier will bring an infectious energy to Union Square.

The Zombie Fashion show returns to bring out legions of ghoulishly dressed participants. Zombie folklore is a fixture of the voodoo culture of New Orleans, with cultural beliefs and superstitions combining to create these reanimated corpses. With a nod to the zombies of New Orleans, all ages are invited to come out in their undead-best and register to walk in the First Fridays Zombie Fashion show. For 2016, the event will feature three categories: Youth, Group/Family, and Adult, with prizes awarded to the top three in each category. For those interested in registering, send a private message to facebook.com/discoverputnam, or head over to the Putnam Business Association booth at the festival before 7:15 p.m. the evening of the event. 

In addition to the fashion show, there will be a variety of performances throughout the evening. Visitors are encouraged to look for a demonstration by Quest Martial Arts, and a “Thrilling” performance by The Complex Performing Arts Centre. There will also be a monster make-up demonstration on Main Street prior to the start of the Zombie Fashion Show.

There will be about 40 art vendors lining Main Street and Union Square. There will also be a variety of gallery and studio openings during the evening. Patrons are encouraged to visit the downtown shops, galleries and eateries during the festival.

To learn more about the Oct. 7 event, visit www.discoverputnam.com.