Third Fridays

Today is the third Tuesday of the month, a great day to think about your plans for the third Friday of the month.

I suggest you check out Third Fridays at 78th Street Studios. This monthly event from 5 to 9 p.m. offers four floors' worth of art to see in more than 50 spaces. Often the artists are there to talk with you about their work. You also can “watch” online radio station oWOW, which broadcasts from the second floor, through a window.

Technically, you could attend this event and not spend any money. Parking and admission are free, and there usually is a giveaway of some sort. You can just browse in the galleries if you’re not ready to buy that night. Sometimes I’ve attended one month to get gift ideas and returned the next month to make those purchases.

Whether you do this on the cheap is up to you. Besides the art and jewelry for sale, there is a food truck outside, and there's a drink station and food counter inside. Some artists have sales during Third Fridays, and I have found some bargains there. Also, some of the shops and restaurants in Cleveland’s Gordon Square neighborhood have promotional specials during Third Fridays.

A couple of caveats: This event is well attended, and the gravel parking lot fills up quickly. Get there by 5 if you can. Once you’re inside, seeing everything requires a fair amount of walking. There are things to see on all four floors, and I’m not aware of any way to get between floors except the stairs. Fortunately, there are places to sit down if you need a break.

One more thing: 78th Street Studios has an open house every Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., so you could go on another Friday. I haven't done this, but my understanding is that typically four to eight galleries are open, and you can check them out without the Third Friday crowds.