Plenty of Denver galleries will kick off December with shows of small and affordable art for the holidays. But there's much more to see this First Friday, and it's a good night to venture from the downtown area, where the Parade of Lights will create gridlock and parking nightmares, and hit one of the nearby arts districts, where you'll find illuminating work and maybe even a parking spot. Here are four suggestions:

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Reed Weimer--Abstractions First Friday Artist Talk and Live Music with ANIMAL/object Pattern Shop Studio 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, December 5 Exhibit runs through January 2

Reed Weimer's show of stylish, mid-mod abstract canvases opened last month at Pattern Shop, but tonight the gallery will host Weimer for an artist talk at 7 p.m., and the experimental music collective ANIMAL/object will add an aural layer to the evening. If you're looking for a reception with atmosphere, this is the right place. Admission is free.

Cabal First Friday w/ Lindsey Kuhn Cabal Enterprises 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, December 5

The underground maker collective Cabal on South Broadway has declared its little corner of the world an arts district of one, and that decision deserves a party: Tonight's bash will include work by throwback poster artist Lindsey Kuhn (as well as Cabal member artists), music by Sputnik Slovenia, comedy by Kevin O'Brien and eats by Little City Chefs.

Continue reading for more Gallery Sketches.

Well Hung Tenn Street Coffee & Books Opening reception: 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, December 5 Show runs through February 1 The dirty-handed MUDDYones meet weekly at the Marie Gibbons's EvB Studio at 44th Avenue and Tennyson Street to commune and create with clay. Lately, they've been delving into repetitive shape clusters, preparing a joint body of work exploring how all the pieces come together. See the results tonight in Well Hung -- a group show with a funny name -- around the corner from the studio at Tenn Street, and enjoy tunes from the Rubarbarians at the same time. Illusory Fields: New works by Emma Ginsberg Zip 37 Gallery Opening reception 6 to 10 p.m Friday, December 5 Show runs through December 21 This month Emma Ginsberg has the Zip co-op's main gallery, where she'll exhibit more than forty works, including numbered block prints, that show off her whimsical naive style. Take a break from the stress of the seasonal hustle and bustle -- this is art that will take you back to the daydreamy realm of your childhood in an instant.

Want more? See the Westword art event listings to learn more about current gallery and art museum exhibitions and openings in the metro area.

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