Downtown After Five for 2008 features a new location, band lineup, event greening, & more!

Downtown After Five celebrates its 20th year of providing free live music entertainment in downtown Asheville. The celebration is every third Friday, May through September, with the goal of encouraging locals and visitors to enjoy downtown Asheville and support local businesses and entertainers. Coordinated by a new team of dedicated volunteers, this year’s series brings some additional surprises:

• A new location on North Lexington Avenue (between Hiawassee and the I-240 overpass)
• Event planners are greening the event by utilizing compost-able food service utensils, plates, napkins, and beverage cups.
• Organic cotton event t-shirts will be for sale and were designed by local artist Jenny Greer of Sound Mind Media.
• New stage decorations
• Additions to the already stellar line up of food and beverages available include new local restaurants and local breweries
• For the first time, and to commemorate the 20th Anniversary, a special souvenir poster, designed by local artist JP Delanoye, will be available for sale
• A new volunteer rewards program, Jam Out with Your Hand Out,  will give discounts and perks from various local businesses to the volunteers who sign on to work at all five events.

This year’s musical lineup encompasses a variety of genres.  Here’s the rundown of what you can expect from this year’s series at Downtown After Five:

• May 16: Opening act is Firecracker Jazz Band; Headliner is Mamadou Diabate Ensemble
• June 20: Opening act is Woody Wood and Hollywood Red; Headliner is John Mooney & Bluesiana
• July 18: Opening act is Plato de Mambo; Headliner is The Waybacks
• August 15: Opening act is Peggy Ratusz; Headliner is Jeff Sipe and Shannon Whitworth Band
• September 19: Opening act is Laura Reed and Deep Pocket; Headliner is Blue Mountain

Photos from May 2008 by Trina Royar.