Published: November 05, 2009 11:41 am      

First Fridays events, studio tour planned

Goshen’s Fall Arts Festival kicks off Friday from 5 to 9 p.m., with art, music and dance and downtown merchant specials during the monthly First Fridays events.

On Saturday, the festival continues with the 2009 fall Goshen Open Studio Tour, featuring area studios and galleries and the work of many area artists. This will be a self-guided tour and guests can view current gallery exhibits, get an inside look at artists’ studios, see work in progress and purchase original art directly from the artist.

The tour is free and open to all ages, and runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Visit goshenopenstudio.com for more information.

Friday’s musical entertainment at The Goshen Theater, 216 S. Main St., includes Voices N’ Harmony at 5:45 p.m.; CSA String Ensemble at 6 p.m. featuring Allegro Beginning String Ensemble, Vivace Strings and New Horizons Orchestra and CSA Children’s Choir at 7:15, featuring Rejoice! Children’s Choir and Shout for Joy Children’s Choir.

At 6:45 p.m., an acroyoga demonstration of “Yoga as Art” will be given by Kara Schmidt of Spacious Heart Yoga.

At 7 p.m. the Goshen Tree Board will announce the winner of the “Growth Ring Award” in its inaugural year to recognize efforts in Goshen at improving the urban forest.

Improve Battle Royale — The Season Finale will take place at New World Arts, 211 S. Main St., Suite B, Friday from 7 to 11 p.m. The 7 p.m. show will pair Center Stage Academy Students with the all-stars for a family-friendly performance. All of the favorite improv players and games will be on stage for one last time this season at the 9 p.m. performance. Tickets may be purchased in advance through Better World Books in Goshen or online at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/86541.

There will be children’s art activities at Accents Framing, 206 S. Main St., Friday from 5 to 7 p.m.

From 5 to 8 p.m., Woldruff’s Footwear will host a holiday photo shoot with a live reindeer for $8 per photo, which includes a holiday card.

Holiday-themed activities, entertainment and food will also be featured at local churches, including First Presbyterian Church, 215 E. Lincoln Ave., First United Church of Christ, 110 S. Fifth St., and Goshen First United Methodist Church, 214 S. Fifth St.