The 30th anniversary season of Downtown After 5, presented by Prestige Subaru, wraps up on Friday, September 21 with hip-hop legends The Pharcyde and local opener Free the Optimus.
Downtown After 5 takes place on North Lexington Avenue from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm and is always free.
The Pharcyde
West Coast hip hop outfit, The Pharcyde’s debut album racked up more than a million sales and was widely praised as one of the most influential hip hop albums of the 1990s. Today, The Pharcyde is still performing and touring the globe as they continue to hone their individual abilities yet carry on the original legacy. They still seduce their audience with the same boyish charm, but now it’s combined with the knowledge that has been bestowed upon them as men who have risen to the challenge of the rap game. The end result of this hard work is a band that’s still influencing hip hop artists and sounds and will continue to for many years to come.
Opener: Free the Optimus
Asheville’s own Free The Optimus is a hip-hop collective focused on bringing improvisational lyricism to jazz-influenced boom bap soundscapes. The jazz / hip hop mindset of free form collaboration is a vital component to the FTO live experience, as songs and structure are often tossed aside in favor of the energy and groove of the moment.
Each summer the Asheville Downtown Association partners with five local nonprofits to sell wristbands at the event. Each group receives a grant of $2,000. The ADA has given more than $180,000 to area nonprofits through this program. September’s partner is Asheville Museum of Science.
There will be lots of local beers on tap including: Pisgah Brewing, Sierra Nevada, Hi-Wire Brewing, Asheville Brewing Company, Catawba Brewing, French Broad Brewing, Green Man Brewery and Bold Rock Cider, as well as beers from Western North Carolina and regional and national brands. Wine, water and locally crafted Devil’s Foot beverages also available for purchase.
Downtown After 5 is serving up plenty of local yumminess with food vendors Delia’s Tea Time, D.O.G.S., Gypsy Queen Cuisine, Kernel Mike’s Kettle Corn, Moe’s Original BBQ, The Grubbery Food Truck and Sunshine Sammies.
Downtown After 5 also features a kid’s area with fun games and activities from Asheville Plays.
More information on Downtown After 5 and the Asheville Downtown Association can be found at ashevilledowntown.org.