I REALLY like the idea of groups and happenings that don't require organizations to be formed or lots of logicistics! I've heard that Portland was the initiator of the "first thursday" gallery walk but who knows. In any case, gallery walks, open studios are very popular here and we have them in almost all art related neighborhoods. It's definitely helped to give people an incentive to get out and look at some art. It makes a big difference to know when it's happening each month without having to research and verify etc...