Hanover Thursdays, a free outdoor concert series, returns this month and will fill downtown’s Hanover Square with live music for the next five Thursdays.
The series welcomes a variety of styles from rock to reggae and blues to funk. One of the organizers, Michael John Heagerty, says it takes many hands to pull off, and they plan the series to enhance the core of Hanover Square.
“For us, it's more about creating this vibe and having it be like, ‘Come and support small businesses. Come and enjoy local music and vendors,’" Heagerty said. "It’s a flashmob for small business.”
Additional organizers include Charley Orlando, Bea Talplacido, Chris Merkley, Joe Driscoll and Cayetano Valenzuela.
Two bands will be featured each Thursday.
Weekly pairings include:
- R&B Band and Grupo Pagan, Aug. 3
- Driftwood and R.O.C.K. Camp, Aug. 10
- Mike Powell & The Echo Sound and UAD Show Group, Aug. 17
- Fondu and The Ripcords, Aug. 24
- Dark Hollow and Stroke, Aug. 31
Food and beverages will be available from local businesses, along with beer and cider served by Buried Acorn Brewing Company and wine served by The Communion. Storys, the breakfast-and-lunch shop that took over the former Today's Special in downtown's State Tower Building, will extend its hours on Thursdays this month in order to sell meals to concertgoers. Additionally, local vendors will also be featured.
The event is open to all ages and free to attend. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs to set up on the grass. There's also space reserved in the middle of the square for dancing.
“It provides a safe haven for hula hoopers all the way down to baby’s first concert," Heagerty said. "Hanover Thursdays is definitely pretty magical."
This Thursday, R&B Band and Grupo Pagan will perform from 5 to 9 p.m.
