Gilroyans and visitors drawn to the world-class splendor of the Women’s Open at Cordevalle are in for a treat next Friday, as downtown Gilroy comes alive with live music, full-scale dancing in the street, gourmet street food and an open-air fashion show that will inspire you to take that summer holiday you totally deserve.
“The music series is especially why I love my job,” said Melanie Corona, coordinator at the Downtown Business Association, which puts on downtown events all year, including the The 5th Street Live Outdoor Concert Series, featuring all south county musicians during select Fridays in the summer.
Last week, the feet-stomping, skirt-twirling country music of The Wild West Show got people on their feet, with a little help from a local all-ages country dancing class who showcased their line-dancing skills, inspiring folks from the crowd to get on up and give it a go.
“At the end of a long week day, it is great to get together with family and friends, listen to local musicians, see kids out there dancing, and dads dancing with their daughters. It’s really something,” said Corona, who was watching all the action from the side marquee where attendees could buy beer, wine, soda and water.
“Everybody likes to party on Fridays,” said Michael Jones, a familiar face downtown. Reclining on a chair outside Los Pericos Taqueria, patrons leaving the family-run restaurant with heat-busting tubs of fresh, fruit salad, Jones took in the scene through his dark shades. “The music is wonderful.”
Up on stage, The Wild West Show was rocking, while below, people drew their lawn chairs closer to each other, gossiping, smiling, shouting greetings to one another, while children bopped along that section of Fifth Street, closed to traffic, a thrill to be so free and safe.
“I love it, it’s a nice size crowd and very family-friendly,” said Sarah Gamino, who came to the music series with her husband, two young children and parents visiting from Morgan Hill. The young couple recently moved to downtown Gilroy. “I like that we were able to just walk down here.”
Calling it a “labor of love,” Corona explained that Fifth Street Live has been going on for a number of years, the last two featuring the grand stage, set up each Friday concert night by Steve Ashford, proprietor of Ashford’s Antiques. Before then, the bands would play right on the asphalt.
“When you know better, you do better,” said Corona. “We’ve had some incredible volunteers step-up and new people interested in downtown and participating. We couldn’t do this without our volunteer base.”
Deciding that “less is more,” Corona said the association for the last two years has focused on letting the music shine.
She added: “It’s more about creating a community, a space for people to enjoy being outside and a part of downtown.”
The outdoor music concert series will take a break tonight and return in full force on Friday, July 8th, when for the first time ever, food trucks will pull into Gourmet Alley, featuring gourmet-variations of your favorite street food, from Korean BBQ and Sushi to posh hot-dogs and waffles.
The food trucks, ten of them are expected, are part of Moveable Feast, a San Jose-based company that organizes food truck events in Silicon Valley.
“We are looking forward to people coming out and enjoying the music and food,” said Corona. “It’s a giant social experiment for us.”
Morgan Hill rockers, The Emphatics, will provide the soundtrack for the evening, dipping into their repertoire of hit music from a range of current pop, rock, R&B and country artists.
“This will be the first time they play the Fifth Street stage,” said Corona.
But a bunch of gourmet victuals are not the only thing on the menu next Friday night. Oh no, just across the road, Amoretto Boutique will hold its fifth annual fashion show.
On an open-air catwalk, located on a closed-off Martin Street, models will take turns strutting their stuff, showcasing the latest summer fashions available at the Monterey Street boutique.
“It’s so fun to see local residents on the catwalk doing their thing,” said Corona. “You are like ‘oh my god I totally know her!”
Organized by Sandra Castaneda, proprietor of the boutique and brought to life by a crew of volunteers and local sponsors, the fashion show will feature an assortment of summer basics, flowy dresses, short skirts and the various jewelry and accessories that bring an outfit together.
“Trendy and classy, we’ll focus on casual wear that you can wear in the grocery store but also to a nice dinner out,” said Castaneda, adding that denim-on-denim has made a comeback from its 90s heyday.
“Denim is really ‘in’ right now – short denim dresses and tops, jeans.”
Neighboring businesses, Itty Bitty Beauty Boutique and Kuts & Colors Hair Salon will do the models makeup and hair, respectively.
“We have quite a few sponsors,” said Castaneda. “It’s awesome that other businesses join in and are supportive of each other.”
The high-energy affair will feature tunes by I-mobile DJs out of San Jose, chef-made hors-d’oeuvres by Milias Restaurant, wine by Gilroy’s own Fortino’s Winery, refreshments by Fifth Street Coffee Roasting Company and for the first time, vendors.
“This year we invited local vendors,” said Castaneda. “There will be giveaways, free samples, consultations.”
Looking forward to what will surely be a big night in downtown Gilroy, Castaneda said she is excited about the prospect of a sizzling Gilroy summer.
“Downtown summer events are growing every year, which is great.” she said. “Great for downtown businesses, great for everyone.”
Fifth Street Live Outdoor Concert Series, with Moveable Feast, 5-9pm., Fifth Street between Monterey & Eigleberry Streets and Gourmet Alley between 4th & 6th Streets.
Amoretto Boutique’s 5th Annual Summer Fashion Show, 6-9pm. (8:45 Fashion Show), 7490 Monterey Street. Both events on Friday, July 8. Check
