The Force Is Strong With This Village

We've been gamboling around FAT Village ever since their Backward Bash in May 2010 that welcomed FAT Village residents to the neighborhood they were already residing in. But something was very different, and the residents soon found out -- what was once warehouses along NW First Avenue between Sistrunk Boulevard...

By Mickie Centrone

November 24, 2011

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We've been gamboling around FAT Village ever since their Backward Bash in May 2010 that welcomed FAT Village residents to the neighborhood they were already residing in. But something was very different, and the residents soon found out -- what was once warehouses along NW First Avenue between Sistrunk Boulevard and NW Fifth Street in Fort Lauderdale had been turned into art studios, galleries, theaters. Art was exploding off the concrete (blowtorches), resting beautifully on top of it, or in it (studios). After its establishment, galleries and studios were born, some stayed, some moved -- but now, if the Day of the Dead Festival/Art Walk on November 2 is any indicator of the future of FAT Village, locals have something to be ebullient about. At a FAT Village Art Walk, held the last Saturday of every month, a person can bum around for hours past a thriving gym and be entertained. And that's the soul of such an occasion.

One of the galleries now residing in FAT Village is Rolling Stock Gallery (506 NW First Ave., Fort Lauderdale), and for November's art walk, it'll feature the work of South Florida-based artist Iain Barnes, AKA 5. He uses reclaimed objects and experiments with numerous types of materials -- so there'll be everything from prints to installation segments showcased, and some of it will be for sale. There will be an open bar (donations go to Kids in Distress). Several other artists will be present, painting and muraling up the place. Classic cars will line the street for a mini car show as beautiful women are painted into the surrounding landscape. DJs will play drum 'n' bass and club step beats to get the energy to match the heart of the art. The Art Walk is from 7 to 11 p.m. and is free. For more info on what they're doing over at FAT Village -- these beautiful art walks -- visit fatvillage.com.
Sat., Nov. 26, 7 p.m., 2011

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