The future of a popular art event is in jeopardy after rowdy street partiers faced off with police Thursday night.

Two separate unrelated incidents at Alberta’s Last Thursday event caused police to respond in force.

An impromptu street party involving hundreds broke out at Northeast 24th and Alberta during the monthly “Last Thursday” open house for Alberta galleries.

Police kept their distance even though the street dance was technically not permitted.

Then at 10:45 p.m., emotions flared in a separate, unrelated incident.

Several blocks down the street, police went to break up a fight.

One officer used a taser and struggled with a suspect, prompting hostile words from eyewitnesses.

One member of the crowd could be heard shouting: "We do not respect you."

Several people threw beer bottles at the officers and one person grabbed an officer's taser. Another tried breaking into a patrol car.

One man was taken into police custody for disorderly conduct. Officers then returned to the street party and shut it down. No one else was arrested, but emotions ran high.

One day after the melee, some event organizers were re-thinking the monthly event.

"The original intention has been undermined," said business owner Allan Oliver. "A lot of times the public will come for the carnival atmosphere and walk along the street and never go into the galleries."

Other owners consider Last Thursday a boon in business. But after last night's melee, many are now asking - is it worth it?