Many of the major galleries and museums are between shows for this edition of First Friday, giving you the opportunity to focus your attention on the smaller spaces and alternative venues you might not normally check out. The monthly, city-wide gallery night is held by non-profit, university, and commercial and indie art venues in Rochester, where we all trot about from station to station, filling our eyes and ears with what's new and exciting in our community. On Friday, July 1, 6-9 p.m. (and sometimes later) you can check out art openings, poetry readings, and musical performances in various locations. Visit firstfridayrochester.org for a list of this month's participating venues, and check our online events calendar at rochestercitynewspaper.com for more receptions and exhibits.

July's featured artist at The Gallery @ Equal Grounds (750 South Ave., 242-7840) will be Tim Mack, who presents his wildly patterned and whimsical "Collection of Curiosities" 7-9 p.m. More creative strangeness can be found in the surreal works of Sean Madden, presented by Art to Zen Tattoo (4363 Lake Ave., 621-3515), which kicks off at 8 p.m. and will also feature live music by The Freakness.

Across town at the Baobab Cultural Center (728 University Ave., 563-2145), check out the work of Jim Pappas, Jack White, and Eddie Davis. Next door, Image City Photography Gallery (722 University Ave., 271-2540) will host "Light & Form, Time & Place," the architectural, abstract, black-and-white photos of D. G. Adams. Just a bit down the road is collectible art-toy haven Plastic (34 Elton St., 563, 6348), where local artists Melissa Cantwell, Marta Filipek, Bryce Grantham, Bill Hand, Chuck Harrison, John Perry, and Bill Pifer will present a custom toy show entitled "The Lowbrow Art Project: Rochester Edition."

At the Hungerford Building (1115. E Main St.), many artists and groups will have their studios open for the public to view the work and speak with them. The Main Street Artists (Door 2, Suite 458, 233-5645) will feature work by Sandy Grana Kesel, among other member artists, at a 5-9 p.m. reception.

In keeping with the tangle of fiber shows happening locally, Nazareth College Arts Center Gallery (4245 East Ave., naz.edu) will host "Sum of the Parts: Art Quilts by Pat Pauly," with a 6-8 p.m. reception.