Since writing last week’s column on the Fifth Street Live Music
free concert series going on every Friday night in downtown Gilroy,
I have received a lot of feedback.
Since writing last week’s column on the Fifth Street Live Music free concert series going on every Friday night in downtown Gilroy, I have received a lot of feedback.
It has become apparent that I need to fine tune some details of the story a bit. While it’s true that the concerts are currently being put on by the Theater Angels Art League, a local non-profit that promotes the creative arts, it was actually handled by the Gilroy Downtown Association and Theater Angels combined for the first two years. Without the volunteer effort and support of the downtown merchants, the concert series would never have succeeded. They gave it the big push needed to make a go of it, along with Bill Flodberg. Let me just say that it is a measure of the success of this endeavor that so many want to take credit for it.
It added to the festive nature of the event to have Sue’s Coffee out there on the street selling drinks, cookies and kettle corn July 24. The Fire House Bar and Grill set up a booth and sold Jambalaya right there on the street. Thirty-year blues veteran John Garcia was at his best, blowing all the young guitar gods in the audience away. Tonight’s band is “Common Ground,” featuring Sharon Albert’s husband, Doug Reynolds, playing from 7 to 9 p.m.
While a raffle is held each week to help pay for the band, the concert series has also gotten donations from local groups and individuals like Sally Connell, Firehouse Bar & Grill, Los Pericos Mexican Restaurant, Gilroy Garlic Festival, the Usual Suspects Band, the Rotary Club, and more still coming in.
I should also have given credit for the upcoming Sept. 26 Divos! concert to the Gilroy Arts Alliance, not just Theater Angels (who are members of GAA). It will feature the top 10 male musical performers of Gilroy, which include
Andoni Bundros, Alan Hoshida, Lance LaShelle, Ryan McBrearty, Paul Myrvold, Donald “Elvis” Prieto, Phil Robb, Ted Sanchez, Bill Tindall, and Master of Ceremonies Rod Pintello. Tickets are $35 through Sept. 21 and $40 thereafter, and are available through Gilroy Arts Alliance and Theater Angels members, Booksmart in Morgan Hill, or at tonight’s Friday Night Live concert. No doubt these tickets will sell like hot cakes!
The proceeds will go towards establishing the Gilroy Center for the Arts. The Arts Alliance is asking the city to let them lease the old Salvation Army building and the adjoining lot while waiting for the center to be built there. The building will be used for workshops, exhibits, a small gift shop, staged readings in small groups and guest speakers. The lot will be transformed into a combination community garden and outdoor performance space.
Speaking of transforming downtown Gilroy, an exciting new program is in the works that would offer unhoused persons the opportunity to gain employment experience and skills by performing tasks to help clean up our downtown streets. It’s a program called “Downtown Streets Team,” and it has worked wonders in other cities. It’s a win-win situation where merchants get cleaner and safer streets while the team members have a chance to get back on their feet while earning vouchers for food and shelter.
“We received some grant money to kick the program off this year,” David Cox said, executive director of St. Joseph’s Family Center. “Next year, we will need more support. The City of Gilroy is coming through with some funding, as is (the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development).”
The Downtown Streets Team in other cities has led to many folks going back to school or achieving permanent employment.
One man named George lived on the streets for many years as a panhandler. After joining the Downtown Streets Team in Palo Alto, he said, “Now I work 20 hours a week for $100 in gift cards to buy groceries, and I no longer have to panhandle. I work running errands, handling deliveries and general office work. I’ve wanted to work for so long and I so enjoy feeling productive. Everyday I feel my self-confidence getting stronger.”
A woman named Lillian struggled with a drug habit for 20 years and lived in shelters after being evicted from her home. Joining the Downtown Streets Team has enabled her to return to school to earn her Master of Public Administration from California State University, East Bay with a focus on organizational counseling.
“Downtown Streets Team has been a big help,” she said. “Working for (the team) helps me to afford food while I finish my thesis.”
