The City of Greenville kicks off its Downtown Event Series on March 16 and 17 with the season opening nights of Piedmont Natural Gas Downtown Alive presented by Clemson MBA and Greenville Heritage Main Street Fridays presented by Pepsi. The free weekly events return to NOMA Square, offering a season filled with live musical entertainment performed by local and regional touring bands, special events and children’s activities.
Piedmont Natural Gas Downtown Alive presented by Clemson MBA opens its 25-week event season on March 16 with a performance from local favorite and Gimme the Gig winner, the Brooks Dixon Band. The season includes 20 new bands, with 14 originating from the Upstate region. Highlighted performances include the Dead 27s, Lyric, The Jacob Johnson Group and Nathan Angelo on the Rowdy Gents Stage. The event series serves as the single largest fundraiser for the Metropolitan Arts Council, a local organization providing support and other vital services to individual artists, arts organizations and arts education programs.
"We could not be more thrilled to return as the title sponsor of Downtown Alive in 2017. Creating vibrant and thriving downtowns, places where people can gather, interact and enjoy music, food, arts and culture, is vitally important to the long-term health and future of cities and towns,” said Hank McCullough, Senior Manager, Government Relations – SC for Piedmont Natural Gas. “The City of Greenville is an undisputed leader in fostering community engagement through their downtown events and Piedmont Natural Gas is grateful to be a partner again this year!"
Piedmont Natural Gas Downtown Alive will once again feature a Gimme the Gig contest. Local bands will have the opportunity to submit links to their music online, allowing fans to cast a vote for their favorite band. The band receiving the largest number of votes will ultimately earn a paid gig at the Piedmont Natural Gas Downtown Alive on August 31, as well as studio time at Sit-n-Spin Records. Complete details will be released prior to the contest start date in May.
Greenville Heritage Main Street Fridays presented by Pepsi debuts on March 17 with a St. Patrick’s Day celebration. In addition to live music, the kick-off event will feature the Bud Bar, where attendees can enjoy watching live action from the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. Throughout the season, the event will feature 29 bands, 14 of which are new to the series. Highlighted performances on the CPI Security Stage include Marvin King and Blues Revival, The Jamie Wright Band, Mac Arnold & Plate Full O’ Blues and True Blues. Greenville Heritage Main Street Fridays will also feature the Sabal Homes Kids’ Area with inflatables and fun-filled activities for children. Unlimited children’s ride wristbands will be available to purchase for $12.
“Greenville Heritage FCU is excited to begin our fifth year as the title sponsor of the Main Street Fridays concert series,” said Alan Berry, president/CEO of Greenville Heritage Federal Credit Union. “We are proud to support the City of Greenville and have our name associated with Greenville’s premier live music series. We hope many Upstate residents will join us this year for 29 wonderful evenings of live music and family fun at NOMA Square on the Hyatt stage. Year after year Main Street Fridays delivers the best the City has to offer in family entertainment.”
Additional Downtown Event Series event partners include Harley Davidson of Greenville, the official vehicle sponsor of Piedmont Natural Gas Downtown Alive; Roost; Smoking Loon; Zonin 1821; Entercom; Fete; Lexus of Greenville, the official vehicle sponsor of Greenville Heritage Main Street Fridays; Bud Light; Hyatt Regency Greenville; Table 301 Catering; Penske; iHeart Media & MY 102.5; WYFF 4; Link Apartments West End; Vitral; Bonterra; Greenville Journal; Main & Stone Apartments and Signature Apparel.
For a complete entertainment lineup, visit www.GvilleEvents.com or follow the events on social media.
# # #