November 20th, 2015 from 5-8pm is the next 3rd Friday in Downtown Salisbury, and the month’s theme is Light! The Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony has grown to merit its own date on December 4th, so 3rd Friday will light the Plaza in beautiful and creative ways to highlight the last outdoor bazaar of the season! 3rd Friday continues indoors only until April 2016, so it’s our last chance to shop our favorite outdoor vendors for gifts! 
The Downtown Plaza will be filled with local artisans, crafters, and makers of all kinds. Shoppers can explore the outdoor artisans, and take advantage of great downtown store offers! 3rd Friday will set the mood with lighting, music by Bay Brass Orchestra, and other special performances sure to bring light to the occasion. Light up your heart in St. Peter’s courtyard; write your blessings on “leaves” to hang on the Blessings Tree, write a thank you card to someone who has blessed you or warm up with homemade chili, cornbread, hot dogs, snacks & drinks! Plus on North Division Street, the Winter Wonderland of Lights will be unveil a special sneak preview of this year’s display to promote the official lighting on Saturday November 28th in Salisbury City Park. It’s a Salisbury tradition and it’s the same night as the Boat Parade!
Stop by The Art Institute & Gallery for the start of The 2015 Holiday Fine Art Show, with incredible fine art in the Main Gallery, a solo show in the Foyer Gallery by Diane “Diantha” Mitchell, and a book signing in the The Martha Gué Gift shop by local author Gwyn G. Harris’s book “Ministering Through Poetry: The Joy Behind the Smile”. Plus kids can stop in the classroom to create holiday decorations from recycled materials. The AI&G is located on the lower level of the Gallery Building, just off the Plaza.
Down on Poplar Hill Avenue, The Salisbury Wicomico Arts Council will celebrate 3rd Friday indoors by hosting Thanksgiving for the Arts @SWAC, in their space above Season’s Best. Join SWAC for food and drink, kids crafts, artists, vendors and live music from Ted Nichols & Drums Around the World, as well as, Tom Bryant, who has been playing guitar and writing music for over fifteen years, now performing as a solo artist with an experimental acoustic style. While you are there be sure to stop in Season’s Best Antiques for great one-of-a-kind bargains!
The downtown shops and boutiques have special events and sales planned. Corsets and Cogs will be having an early Black Friday Sale just for 3rd Friday, with $5 off jewelry, googles, and leather, 10% off all corsets, vests and kilts and 10% off all gift certificates. Angello’s Unique Gifts is the perfect place to get ahead on your shopping list offering a 15% off your entire purchase coupon on with home décor, jewelry, glassware, personalized stationary, beer and wine supplies and so much more, plus you can enjoy a free Eppa sangria tasting and Tea Forte Winter Chai Tea tasting! Barefoot Baby Boutique will be having holiday sales and they will be hosting a “Star Light, Star Bright” shooting star coloring station for the kiddies! Enza’s an Organic Salon will be having huge sales with 25% off all Organic Mineral Makeup and all Conditioners, plus selected hair and skin care 50% off! Morgan’s Closet, Downtown’s chic resale shop on East Main Street, will be open with a BOGO 50% off Jewelry Sale! Kuhn’s Jewelers always has something to light up the eyes of your special someone, and be sure to stop in Cake Art and place your holiday special orders!
For the art enthusiasts, be sure to check out Salisbury University Art Galleries | Downtown Campus brand new exhibition DarkGlass, is a solo exhibition by Alice Pixley Young that centers on themes the forest and the domestic as iconic spaces where we project the fears and beliefs of our collective unconscious. Sculptural installations present the forest and the domestic space as characters: they become a presence both soothing and alarming, nostalgic and cryptic within the uneasy, staged realities they exist in. Also check out The CCART Foundation’s Gallery Under Glass exhibition, in the display windows of the Vernon Powell Building on the Plaza, showcasing the artwork of eight local high school seniors selected to receive the 2015 CCART Scholarships. The exhibition is made possible through a grant from the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, and donations are being accepted to support 2016 Scholarships, as the CCART Annual Show and Sale takes a sabbatical this year.
At Headquarters Live, SOJA Lead Guitarist Trevor Young is bringing his band The Medicinals to Headquarters Live! Footwerk is kicking off the show at 8 pm, but doors open at 7 so get here early! The show is ages 18+ and tickets are only $10 available online and at the door.
The downtown bars and restaurants are also ready for a night filled with special events and entertainment. Brew River is having a Friday Night Pint Night featuring Dogfish Head Brewing Co, and live acoustic by Maria Mulrine & Mallory Lankford from 7-10pm. Roadie Joe’s will have dinner specials for the whole family and live music by Dark Gold Jazz 5:30 – 8:30 plus DJVO and DJ CUE late night. The Brick Room will have live music by alex&shiloh from nine to midnight. For the dinner crowd, Sushi de Kanpai, Mojo’s and Market Street will have great specials and quiet dining. Late night Mojo’s has local favorite Flint Eastwood, and Market Street has Naked Nation playing all of the favorites!
3F is an all-volunteer effort, a downtown economic development initiative and a project of the Salisbury Arts & Entertainment District Committee. For More Information: 3rdFridaySby.com
