First Friday, York City's monthly showcase of its downtown restaurants, art galleries and shops, continues in 2013 with new themes and an impressive lineup of jazz artists.

The year's first First Friday kicks off Friday night at 5 with a cross-section theme of the district's entertainment, shopping, dining and nightlife options.

Some future 2013 themes include Paint the Town in February, Girls Night Out in March, Moms on Main in May, Art Crawl in June, Dog Days of Summer in August and Harvestfest in October.

First Friday events began in 2005 and are organized by Downtown Inc, the nonprofit charged with promoting York City's core business district.

"They've been growing exponentially since then," Sonia Huntzinger,

Added to the First Friday repertoire in 2011 was Jazz in the City, a monthly concert put on by jazz artists and hosted by the Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center from 5 to 7 p.m.

Jazz in the City continues Friday with a performance by Tim Warfield on saxophone, Tim Thompson on trumpet, Darent Polk on trombone, Eric Wheeler on bass and Jeff Stabley on drums. Tickets cost $3 at the door

More than two dozen downtown restaurants, art galleries and stores are offering discounts, entertainment and other specials. Officially, First Friday begins at 5 p.m. and ends at 9 p.m.

- Erin James may also be reached at ejames@yorkdispatch.com.