Henry County Enterprise
  • News
    • Business
    • Community Calendar
    • State News
    • National News
  • Obituaries
  • eEnterprise
  • Classifieds
  • Spiritual
    • The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia
    • Transcendental Meditation
    • Parabola
    • Southern Baptist
  • Classifieds
  • Contact
  • Login
Subscribe For $2.50/Month
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Business
    • Community Calendar
    • State News
    • National News
  • Obituaries
  • eEnterprise
  • Classifieds
  • Spiritual
    • The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia
    • Transcendental Meditation
    • Parabola
    • Southern Baptist
  • Classifieds
  • Contact
  • Login
No Result
View All Result
Henry County Enterprise
No Result
View All Result
Home Local News

First Friday returns to Uptown

By Callie Hietala

June 10, 2022
in Local News
Reading Time: 2 mins read
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Email

“For much of our history, the courtroom has served not just as a local center of the law and government, but as a meeting ground, cultural hub, and social gathering place,” said former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Lewis F. Powell, Jr. 

An estimated 150 people gathered on the plaza of the historic Henry County Courthouse for the year’s first, First Friday open mic event. First Fridays are a fundraiser for the Martinsville-Henry County Historical Society and will be held on the first Friday of every month through October.

This quote was included on the Facebook event page for Uptown First Friday, which rang in its second year of monthly open mic performances in the plaza of the historic Henry County courthouse in Uptown Martinsville last week, transforming the former courthouse into the kind of social gathering place Powell mentioned. 

The blazing temperatures earlier in the week dropped on Friday which, coupled with a cool and constant breeze, made for perfect weather for this year’s First Friday kickoff. About 150 people attended the event, enjoying beer from Scuffle Hill Brewing, food from Hugo’s Restaurant and Sports Bar, and music from talented local musicians during an open mic hosted by Kat and Dennis Calfee of the band Above the Fray. 

First Fridays began as Uptown Open Mic in spring 2021. What was initially planned as a one-time event to

Sixteen-year-old Anna Locklear came from Franklin County to participate in last week’s First Friday. The open mic events welcome the talents of all performers, including dancers, comedians, musicians, writers, and musicians.

celebrate the closing of an exhibit and raise awareness of the museum met with such great success that the board of the Historical Society voted to continue the gatherings, which were rebranded as First Friday and help raise funds for the nonprofit organization. 

The Calfees return this year to host the open mics, which last Friday had a full lineup including a number of familiar regulars from last year as well as many new talents who performed a variety of tunes from instrumental to country to pop to rock ‘n roll. 

First Friday events are not just for music—the Historical Society welcomes any kind of performer to share some stand-up comedy, read a poem or short story, do a dance, or even show off a magic trick or two. 

Uptown First Friday will take place Aug. 5, Sept. 2, and Oct. 7 from 6-9 p.m. Admission to the event is free and all ages are welcome. Each event will have food as well as a cash bar in addition to the open mic hosted by the Calfees. 

First Fridays are sponsored by the Historical Society’s annual sponsors, Carter Bank & Trust and The Lester Group. 

  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Email
ShareTweetPin
Previous Post

Final UP community meeting ends on positive note

Next Post

Formula shortage hits health district

Next Post
Formula shortage hits health district

Formula shortage hits health district

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Join Our Newsletter

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Business
    • Community Calendar
    • State News
    • National News
  • Obituaries
  • eEnterprise
  • Classifieds
  • Spiritual
    • The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia
    • Transcendental Meditation
    • Parabola
    • Southern Baptist
  • Classifieds
  • Contact
  • Login

© 2020 Mountain Media, LLC

  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Email

Forgot your password?

Lost your password? Please enter your email address. You will receive mail with link to set new password.

Back to login

Add Henry County Enterprise to your Homescreen!

Add