As unique as the community itself, First Fridays in Venice, CA, have become a weekend tradition. Held, naturally on the first Friday of every month, First Fridays turn the main drag in Venice Beach, Abbot Kinney Boulevard, into a street fair as stores stay open late and provide incentives to shoppers and browsers alike. Many shops provide wine and cheese, galleries hold special exhibits and food trucks – a growing popular trend – line the streets serving delicacies such as Korean tacos and gourmet hot dogs. Highlights of this past Friday include some new openings on Abbot Kinney. Among them, Propr, David Arquette and Ben Harper’s new shop – filled with unique tee shirts and casual apparel and accessories. Lemonade which stands on the corner of Venice Blvd and Abbot Kinney is new to the neighborhood and one of the best fresh food joints in town. The Stronghold is always a favorite on Friday nights. This original denim company hosts a speakeasy upstairs (list only). So come next month, plan to get your Neuro on (Neuro is sampled up and down Abbot Kinney) and spend an evening on one of the most artistic and original streets in Southern California.