This month’s IDA First FrIDAy brought together 111 people on October 3, 2025— students, alumni, fellows, and friends — for an evening filled with creativity, laughter, and connection. The energy inside Harmony House was electric, a celebration of community that reminded everyone why these gatherings matter so deeply. This was a great start of events for the 25th anniversary of IDA (Institute for Diversity in the Arts) and the 55th anniversary of its foremother, CBPA (Committee on Black Performing Arts).
The evening featured cyanotype art-making, a chance for guests to create blueprints of leaves and flowers underneath the sun’s imprint as people ate amazing food and shared beautiful stories, the lawn filled with joy and laughter. Nearby, others gathered around a cake, decorating it in community, an act of shared creativity and abundance.
There was so much generational wealth and knowledge in the room — from current IDA Fellows to IDA Alumni to one of our IDA Champions the remarkable Yvette Bowser, whose presence radiated warmth and wisdom. Conversations flowed easily across generations and disciplines, fueled by good music and genuine connection. DJ Chris Ward kept the atmosphere alive with music that emphasized that feeling of home, one that is not new to the Harmony House Community
First Friday is a monthly gathering hosted by IDA at Harmony House that celebrates community, love, art, and persistence. “Art is our container and gathering space, welcoming to all regardless of your relationship to art,” said Benjamin Lundberg Torres Sánchez Program Manager at IDA. It’s about showing up, sharing space, and celebrating the beauty of simply being together and letting that be the art. Whether you come to make something, listen, or be surrounded by good energy, First FrIDAy welcomes you.
The night was rejuvenating, filled with food, laughter, and new friends. It reminded us that building community is an act of care, and that joy — especially shared joy — is a powerful form of resistance.
If you missed this month’s First FrIDAy, don’t worry — the next one is just around the corner on Friday, November 7th. Come as you are. Leave inspired.
This article was written by Anagali Duncan.