First Friday Highlights, Part Un

The highlight of this past weekend's First Friday is easy to choose.

Two great Hampdenites were brought together by Johnny Cash. Friday night's Keyboard Man appearance at the Hon Bar featured a duet between Denise Whiting (owner of Hampden's Hon empire) and Benn Ray (co-owner of Hampden's Atomic empire.) They've fallen into a ring of fire, people!

Let's keep the Hampden business love goin' this morning.

How much do I love the Atomic Books? (and Pop/Book Company/Twang/TV?)Well, Hawker isn't the only one who was attracted to Hampden because of businesses like that. Benn and Rachel care passionately about Hampden, and their businesses here are the kinds of anchors that bring folks from all over the region to our hood.

And last night, Atomic Pop started hosting Burlesque University!

Finallly! An institution of higher learning in Hampden!

According to previous Burlesque 101's, "Graduation Glory" on Oct. 18 should be open to the public.