GAINESVILLE, Ga. (Aug. 1, 2023) – With the City of Gainesville's 2023 First Friday Concert Series drawing to a close, concert-goers have just two more chances to get down in downtown Gainesville with the latest shindig set for this week featuring variety band MIXTAPE.
The Main Street Gainesville-hosted concert takes place from 7-10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4, on the historic square in downtown Gainesville.
“First Fridays feel like homecoming on the square; it’s a time where the whole community comes together,” said Main Street Manager Nicole Parham.
"MIXTAPE has made quite a name for themselves time-hopping all over the Southeast and captivating audiences with their stirring live performances," states the band's official website, mixtapeatl.com. "The band has become known for their Las Vegas-style shows themed to an era of music and painted with production quality that rivals that of any professional touring act."
Having performed at just about every concert space, event facility and festival in the Southeast, MIXTAPE enjoys thrilling audiences and helping them jump back in time.
"The performers are charismatic, engaging and fun, and they LOVE entertaining and putting smiles on faces," the website states. "Many of the band members have toured professionally with national acts in both music and musical theater."
MIXTAPE's latest show concept returns to the '80s, paying tribute to the soundtrack of the biggest movies of that time, like "The Breakfast Club" (1985), "Sixteen Candles" (1984), "Rocky" (1976), "Flashdance" (1983), "St. Elmo's Fire" (1985) and "Footloose" (1984).
The summer concert series continues monthly through September, featuring the following performers the first Friday of every month: MIXTAPE (variety band), Aug. 4; and Six Foot Ramblers (country folk), Sept. 1. Events are free and open to the public.
“First Friday concerts are held with the goal of bringing our community downtown to support our small businesses,” Parham said. “Our hope is to give our retailers a boosted night of shoppers, our restaurants a full evening of patrons, and to remind the community about all the great services and businesses that make up the fabric of downtown.”
The main stage will be located at the corner closest to Roosevelt Square, at Bradford and Spring streets. Bradford and Spring streets will close by 3 p.m. to allow crews to set up the stage and other equipment.
"We’ll close parking earlier, but by 5 p.m., Washington and Main streets will be closed to traffic, allowing time for food trucks to get in place," Parham said.
Set up your chairs/blankets on the lawn starting at 6 p.m., then grab a bite and/or beverage downtown or at a nearby vendor.
Be sure to visit with City staff who will be slinging some freebies and cool Main Street- and Gainesville-branded merch at a nearby tent.
Find free and covered parking at any one of the following downtown parking decks, all located within walking distance to the square: Main Street Parking Deck, 301 Main St.; Gainesville North Parking Deck, 100 Brenau Ave. NE; and Hall County Parking Facility, 225 Green St.
For updates, “Like” and follow @DowntownGainesvilleGA on Facebook or Instagram, or visit exploregainesville.org.
