The art cheerleaders carried umbrellas in addition to their pom poms, and a Wearable InLight fashion show was moved inside, then back outside when the rain let up.

Last night's InLight Richmond art show, featuring more than 40 light-inspired works, was wet and slushy, but the streets were busy with those who weren't letting a little rain deter them.

Phyllis and Bill Laslett, who tried to stay dry in the doorway of Metro Space Gallery, said they were curious about the installations.

"We hadn't been down here for First Fridays for a while, so we wanted to see the show," Phyllis Laslett said.

InLight Richmond was presented as part of the popular First Fridays downtown art series and also as a celebration of the 30th anniversary of 1708 Gallery, lead organizer for the event.

Even with heavy rains expected, organizers opted not to cancel the show, which had been more than a year in planning and featured lightinspired art and installations, including elaborate pieces such as a house of light, along several blocks of West Broad. Broad Street was blocked off to traffic for the event.

"It's wonderful because it's added a totally different element we didn't expect," Maureen Neal, chairwoman of InLight Richmond, said of the rain, which came down heavy at times.

"It's contributing to the street scene," she said.

Shanique Scott waited out the rain by standing under the canvas tent awning of a business along the art walk.

"I'm enjoying it so far," Scott said as she waited for friends to arrive. This was her first time at a First Fridays, and she said she probably would attend again.

Restaurants along West Broad were packed as people sought cover from the rain. Other just carried umbrellas, or wore raincoats or rain capes to try to stay dry

Sabrina Cordovana's work, Prelude to Dance, drew a small crowd as dancers performed behind the painted glass of a storefront window. J. Allison LaNeave and Nadine Azoulay, both with the Latin Ballet of Virginia, were among the admirers.

"Just imagine at night, you will only see the silhouettes of the dancers -- beautiful," Azoulay said.

The work Hair Fantasy, a collaboration between Suzanne Hall and Tabitha Rone, drew curious onlookers to the Talk of the Town salon. A machine shot bubbles toward models whose hair glowed under black lights as they stood against a backdrop.

Rone, a stylist, said the concept was to replicate the artistry that takes place at hair shows that feature elaborate, colorful styles.

Neal said organizers were pleased with the turnout.