Lubbock has done an interesting thing to promote the arts and entertainment venues in Lubbock. I do not think it is unique to Lubbock, but it is fun. They have developed the First Friday Art Trail http://www.ffat.org/. Basically, this is a group of galleries and entertainment venues that offer specials on the first Friday of the month, and the galleries stay open until 9 PM. Even the Texas Tech Museum, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/museumttu/event.html, which is a few miles from the main venues, has gotten into the act.
Some venues offer food and drink for sale, others offer free samples. Some offer live entertainment. Much of this occurs in the Depot District http://www.visitlubbock.org/business/Attractions/274 which is primarily a privately funded re-vitalization effort to improve downtown Lubbock, and provide art, music, entertainment, dining and what have you venues. In the summer, it includes a farmer's market http://lubbockdowntownfarmersmarket.com/.
However, another part of the trail includes the Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts http://www.lhuca.org/. This organization has spearheaded an arts awakening in Lubbock The Center has grown, as has various off-shoots: The Lubbock Symphony Orchestra http://www.lubbocksymphony.org/ has a home and gallery in the area. The Lubbock Moonlight Musicals http://lubbockmoonlightmusicals.org/DinnerTheaterMap.html does their dinner theater productions in the area.
The city offers a free trolley service between the two venues between 6 PM and 9 PM. But, if you miss the last trolley, you are stuck, and some of the neighborhoods between the two venues are unsavory.
As we visited both the Depot District and the Underwood Center venues, and returned to the Depot District, it occurred to me that the City of Lubbock needs to develop a corridor between the two areas. It is about a mile. The corridor needs to be well lit and populated with businesses that would attract people who are interested in art, music, drama, literature, entertainment and sports fields. Shows happening every night, galleries open regularly, pay TV sports events, and make it safe to walk between the two venues with lights, businesses and activity, as well as police presence as needed. It does not need to be a straight line. It does need to be really safe.
Well, this is just an idea. I sent it on to the mayor.
Who knows.
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