The first Friday concert series in downtown Gainesville has begun. The Soul Purpose Band, a true soul/R&B tradition, brings the sounds of dance hits and soulful music from the 1960s to the 1980s to the stage.
The concert, which is free and open to the public, will be held Friday, July 5, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on the historic square in downtown Gainesville. With a performance from the Soul Purpose Band, the night is guaranteed to be a hit for the whole family. The band is an 11-piece band consisting of a five-piece rhythm section, a four-piece horn section, and both male and female singers.
Main Street Manager Nicole Parham said, “First Fridays feel like the start of summer on the square; it is a time when the whole community comes together.”
First Friday concert schedule
The summer concert series continues monthly through September, featuring the following performers the first Friday of every month: The Soul Purpose Band (soul/R&B), with Sammy Shepard preshow, July 5; Fly Betty Band (party band), with Jesse Biondi preshow, Aug. 2; and Steve Bryson Band (country), with Andrew Lilly preshow, Sept. 6.
Parham said, “We hope 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.”
About Soul Purpose
“This uniquely talented group of musicians knows how to get your party started, keep the dance floor full, and make your event an occasion to remember,” thesoulpurposeband.com states.
Located at the corner closest to Roosevelt Square, at Bradford and Spring streets, the main stage gives plenty of room for listeners to enjoy the sounds while relaxing in lawn chairs and on blankets. Parking around the square will be blocked off at 1 p.m. in preparation for the event.
“At 3 p.m., all streets around the square will be closed to traffic, allowing time for vendors and food trucks to get in place and crews to set up the stage and other equipment,” Parham said.
What to bring
You can set up your chairs and blankets on the lawn starting at 5 p.m. Don’t forget to grab a bite and/or beverage downtown or at a nearby vendor.
Please note that the historic square will remain closed to traffic through the Fourth of July weekend as the City of Gainesville hosts its “Expanded Square Weekend” Friday, July 5-Sunday, July 7.
The City has encouraged businesses to expand their outdoor dining areas/seating, hold sidewalk sales, bring in live entertainment, etc., while visitors will have more room to gather and connect, and enjoy activities normally limited to the smaller greenspace or sidewalks.
You can find free and covered parking in the downtown parking decks that are within walking distance of the historic square. The parking decks are at Main Street Parking Deck, 301 Main St.; Gainesville North Parking Deck, 100 Brenau Ave.; and Hall County Parking Facility, 225 Green St.
More information
The Main Street staff will be at the branded tent in the center of the square for branded freebies.
For updates, “Like” and follow @DowntownGainesvilleGA on Facebook or Instagram, or visit exploregainesville.org.
