BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- People looking for wine, art and a stroll and a bite to eat won’t be disappointed in First Friday being held in downtown Bakersfield. Of course, some might be more adventurous and prefer a glimpse of locally made films being shown at the Film and Photography Festival.

First Friday’s “A Taste of Downtown” is being held from 5 to 8 p.m. While artists will create art along the street, downtown Bakersfield restaurants like Capistrano's, Mama Roomba’s and Sandrini's will be showcasing food.

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Metro Galleries, which is located on 19th Street will launch its Mural Project at 1612 City Lofts. The Arts Council of Kern is also launching their new gallery show, “Reigning Cats And Dogs.” There will also be wine tasting, music and more.

"This event is part of the revitalization of art and culture in the downtown district," said artist Lisa Small. Small sometimes dabbles in duel ethnic themes in her paintings. She also said the event is also for local artists to get to know each other and that the events are "part of the birth of a new wave art movement and provide a fresh flow of chic sophistication to business downtown."

The Friday-only event will be held on 19th Street between H and Eye streets from 5 to 8 p.m. The event is free.

Adventurous filmgoers can schedule around the downtown art event to attend the Film and Photography Festival being held from 12 to 11 p.m. at the Golden State Mall. For $8.00, people can watch local short films, mini-documentaries, and several feature-length horror films with local ties.

Rickey Bird of Hectic Films said one of the documentaries is about how to do monster make-up on a Wal-Mart budget. He said zombie movies are popular and that people always want to know cheap and easy ways of learning scary make-up.

Just don't forget to find your way to the escalators in the middle of the plaze and plod up the stairs to the giant ballroom to find ithe festival. "It's a dance ballroom part of the time," Bird said. The event is put on by Hectic Films and Tim Gardea Presents. Proceeds will be donated in the name of Jim Padgett, a local actor who died this year.

"This festival means a lot to us because it is dedicated to our good friend Jim Padgett, who loved acting and films," said Jason Sanders of Hectic Films. "So it is nice to honor and remember him with this festival.

Sanders added that he's excited to see what other filmmakers will be showing. "There are a lot of original artists in Bakersfield, and it will be nice to see their work at the festival."

Hot dogs, drinks and popcorn will be available for the evening showings.

Golden State Mall is located at 3201 F Street.