Fourth Fridays kicks off on July 24 — presented by Downtown Menlo Fund

Fourth Fridays is Downtown Menlo Fund’s answer to a simple question: What would bring people out and help them love downtown?

Once a month, Santa Cruz Avenue will fill with free live music on multiple stages, turning downtown into a monthly block party where neighbors reconnect.

“Downtown is at its best when it gives people a reason to linger,” said Marnie Foody, co-fouder of Downtown Menlo Fund. “You grab dinner, hear a band, and run into three friends on the sidewalk. Fourth Fridays makes that a monthly tradition.”

Added co-founder Laura Melahn: “Neighbors and local businesses have been so generous with their time, resources, and creativity to put this together and fill downtown with music for everyone. It’s been awesome to see what a community can do when people show up and work together.”

For the first Fourth Friday on July 24 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm (with some time variations), the venues and performers include:

-The Members (6:00 to 7:00 pm) and The Wanderers (7:30 to 9:00 pm) at the center of the 600 Block Plaza

-Balloon artist Steven Koehler in front of Cheeky Monkey (6:00 to 8:00 pm)

-Xavier Maximus Clark (Sax/Guitar) outside Cafe Vivant’s Somm Cellars

-Singer Gaby Castro-Moroder outside of Mademoiselle Colette, near Roma

-Singer Norman Kahan at the former entrance to Pharmaci

Other nearby events:

-Melodious Thunk at Feldman’s Books (6:00 to 8:00 pm)

-Dave Nesbitt Jazz Band at Gitane (6:00 to 8:00 pm)

-Corrie Dunn at Gallery House (6:00 to 8:00 pm)

-Ed Bellinger at The Main Gallery (6:00 to 8:00 pm)

Additional Fourth Fridays take place on August 28 and September 25.

Photo courtesy City of Menlo Park