No Mo DoMo First Fridays ‘til 2024
As the vibrant hues of summer gently yield to the warm, golden tones of fall, downtown Modesto enters a season of reflection and gratitude. From one end of J Street to the other, the district hums with the palpable energy of Modestans who have welcomed another summer's worth of festivities.
On October 6th, DoMo First Fridays celebrated its sixth season finale on October 6th with electrifying flair. Revelers packed in to enjoy an eclectic mix of 70 vendors among downtown businesses showcasing food, music, art, and technology, uniting the community in a celebration of all things Modesto.
As you entered the core of downtown, the aroma of tantalizing dishes from brick-and-mortar restaurants and food vendors wafted through the air, tempting the epicurean in you at every turn. From low & slow pork belly and sizzling street tacos to gulab jamun soaked in sugar, rose water, and cardamon, there was something for every palate. The food scene was a true reflection of Modesto's diverse culinary landscape.
There is no shortage of taquerias or taco trucks at DoMo First Fridays
Tandoori Flame, 907 10th Street
The handmade goods vendors displayed their artistic creations, offering festival-goers unique and one-of-a-kind items that were impossible to resist. From live screen printing by Apparel Graphics and Remontant Press to handcrafted jewelry and curated vintage t-shirt collections, the streets were transformed into an open-air art gallery.
Apparel Graphics, a DoMo First Fridays partner, prints one unique design at each event. get it before it’s gone forever! Pictured here, the State Theatre homage shirt.
Some First Fridays vendors have already turned into downtown brick-and-mortars. Who will be next?
Live music echoed through the streets, filling the air with energy and rhythm. In an area near downtown art gallery Chartreuse Muse, DJ Joe Zimmer, aka CrushCon, spun classic beats that transported festival-goers back to the golden era of hip-hop. Nearby, a breakdance competition produced by DoMo and a hip-hop culture education group, Revive the Vibe, captivated the crowd with jaw-dropping moves, demonstrating that this art form still had an electrifying pulse in the heart of Modesto. In fact, we spoke with one attendee who told us about his teenage son, who has asked to be brought to DoMo First Fridays every month for the past few years just to see and participate in this section of the market. “My son thinks DoMo is the most legit thing ever,” he told us. We think it’s legit, too.
Everyone who has been to a First Friday knows about the salsa dance paradise that springs up at the corner of J and 10th Streets. Rueda-style salsa is a dance that originated in Cuba and traveled with generations of immigrants to Sacramento, Modesto, Tracy, and the streets of downtown Modesto via DoMo First Fridays. This event is the first and only to host a monthly public space for the communal dance of celebration.
In addition to pop-and-locks, head-spins, and hip-dipping moves, the festival showcased local indie music bands, adding a relevant anchor to the vibrant street scene in a city that has birthed world-renowned indie music bands like Grandaddy. Their performances were a testament to the rich artistic talent always bubbling under the surface in Modesto.
From the archives: Jason Lytle plays to a DoMo First Fridays crowd from the Music in the Plaza stage, 10th Street Plaza
Soul Beads stays after hours for DoMo First Fridays and celebrates its 30th happy year in downtown Modesto.
Soul Beads, a downtown original celebrating its 30th anniversary on J Street, kept its doors wide open to welcome new and old downtownies alike to explore beady treasures from around the world.
The shop has been an oasis for jewelry makers and curious revelers who travel the world vicariously through the treasure collection Holly Neaubuerger has grown over the years, accumulating bits and pieces from traders all over the globe.
Art gallery Chartreuse Muse hosted local artist Jonathon Troxler throughout the season of First Fridays. Troxler, whose micro-detailed depictions of still life in Modesto epitomize the a-picture-is-worth-a-thousand-words effect, records moments in time with the precision of a camera but doesn’t let a single piece escape the human touch of an actual Modestan that, for now, ai could only dream of scratching at. It’s as if he sees the still world around him through the lenses of a kaleidoscope and a microscope at the same time.
We are so grateful to Chartreuse Muse for always being a participant in DoMo First Fridays by extending their gallery out into the street with magnetic activities from wheel throwing to live painting and plenty of good shopping.
Fashion designer and downtown fashion icon Stephanie Rodriguez, owner of Taste Studio on J Street, also kept her shop open, where shoppers explored high-quality collections and enjoyed a direct connection with the designer.
Amid the festivities, a playful robot played ball with guests, thanks to the Downey High Robotics Club. The marvel of technology and innovation was on full display as these robots engaged and amazed both young and young at heart.
Modesto Skates popped up a roller rink area, allowing enthusiasts to strut their stuff in true street skate style. The clattering of wheels and joyful laughter filled the air, providing an authentic throwback to the roller disco era. The group of skate enthusiasts has been looking for a permanent home for skate dance events since 2020, and we’ve been happy at least to provide a monthly space for this great all-ages group until they do.
Children take a break from the roller skate dance ring to cruise Mural Alley.
For those looking to quench their thirst, the local brewer Track 424 served up exquisite craft beers that took festivalgoers by surprise with an Oktoberfest brew and an ale, a departure from their usual and much-adored IPA roster. And they were a hit! People gathered around, chatting with the brewers on-site and enjoying their craft drinks in the pop-up bistro area near the DoMo Market Booth.
Track 424 was this season’s craft brew donor, allowing 100 percent of the proceeds to go back into the work DoMo Partnership does to fulfill our mission of creating a vibrant community through activities and partnerships designed to improve the quantity of quality experiences in downtown Modesto. So, with every sip, First Fridays patrons knew their investment was going to a good cause!
Track 424
As always, the DoMo Partnership team ensured that the festival seamlessly melded with the surrounding brick-and-mortar retailers and restaurants who were open and wished to participate in the event. The festival served as a platform for these local businesses to thrive, welcoming the community to explore and enjoy all that downtown Modesto had to offer.
Modesto's downtown street festival has once again created a sense of unity, celebrating the city's diversity and creativity. It was a vivid reminder that the heart of Modesto beats to the rhythm of its people, culture, and the community's unwavering spirit. With memories of this unforgettable event fresh in our minds, we eagerly await the next Modesto downtown street festival, where the city's vibrant soul will shine once more.
