Recently named one of “12 to watch in 2012” by Las Vegas Weekly, Joey Vanas hopes to help expand the world’s perception of Las Vegas – and the type of people it attracts – by contributing to the fascinating success story of downtown’s rebirth.

“We want downtown to grow into the most community-focused and connected urban environment in the world,” says Vanas. “By creating this in a place where people least expect it to be, we hope to inspire others to replicate and expand on our ideas.”

The 35-year-old managing partner of First Friday believes community develops naturally out of shared art and culture. While the festival regularly attracts crowds of thousands to both the Arts District and now the Fremont East Entertainment District, Vanas is working to find ways to maintain the collective enthusiasm and foot traffic throughout the rest of the month as well.

Vanas recognizes that while his tactics may be new, his dream of making Las Vegas into a great city is not. He purchased and is renovating a home downtown that once belonged to Las Vegas legend and Stratosphere-developer Bob Stupak, where he now both literally and figuratively walks in the footsteps of Las Vegas visionaries.

“There is a bar in the living room where the likes of Binion, Wynn, and Stupak used to sit and discuss their plans for redevelopment,” says Vanas. “Conversations took place in this house that helped shape downtown as we know it today. Similar conversations at the same bar amongst names like Hsieh, Mossler, Cornthwaite, Ware, and Donner will continue to help shape downtown and its ever-evolving future.”

After putting a new roof on the 50s-era house and completing room and bathroom additions, Vanas looks forward to building the backyard into the ultimate party spot – a place to enjoy the fruits of their community-building labor with friends and neighbors.

Vanas says, “When we’re downtown, we are in the midst of art, culture, community, and everything that most of the world thinks doesn’t exist in Vegas. The rest of the city can sometimes feel like a giant façade, downtown feels genuine – it’s the real deal.”

Photo: Joey Vanas at home