Art from Elizabeth Blau's new show, "Mentalist & Medium"

I love that Las Vegas gallery owners have embraced the logic of opening their new exhibits on dates other than First Friday, downtown’s monthly art festival. While they still tend to be grouped together — as with the three openings this Friday, Jan. 9 — it draws traffic to parts of downtown that would otherwise be shunned three weeks out of the month.

My dear friend Elizabeth Blau is showing all-new works at The Fallout (1551 S. Commerce St.) in an exhibit called “Mentalist & Medium.” The show offers mixed media paintings and drawings constructed using a myriad of imagery, patterns and painting techniques, part of Elizabeth’s “ongoing investigation of modern life and her dialogue with contemporary painting” (according to the gallery). The reception is from 6 to 9 p.m., and the gallery is normally open noon to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday.

"Wanderlust" flier

Meanwhile, over at another pal’s gallery, Henri & Odette (124 S. Sixth St.), UNLV BFA candidate Thomas Willis debuts his show, “Within/Without.” I can’t find a whole lot of information about the show, but judging by Willis’ Flickr account, look for interesting, layered works using such media as dirt, charcoal and fire. Seriously. That reception is also at 6 p.m., and the gallery is typically open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., with a European-style closing from 1 to 4 p.m.

And one more reception you won’t want to miss from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday is the last one in Main Gallery‘s current space at 1009 S. Main St. “Wanderlust” features works by Kim Virasone and Adam Morey on the theme of, what else, travel and wandering. The gallery is also open noon to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Friday, or by appointment.

I know there are CES and AEE parties all week, but maybe take a break from the boozing and schmoozing to support that silly little art scene thing. OK, maybe not a break, but at least a different kind of boozing and schmoozing. I’ll be there — isn’t that enough?