Next Fourth Fridays event set for August 28 in downtown Menlo Park
Attendees can enjoy live music and casual shopping while wandering downtown during the next Fourth Fridays, August 28, from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. Dinner reservations are encouraged.
Here is the line up:
- Evelyn Stage (where Pharmica was): The Song Gardeners (Singer-Songwriter)]
- Mademoiselle Colette/Roma: Winnie Cheston (Singer-Songwriter)
- Wells Fargo (new stage!): Dale Nesbitt Jazz Band
- 600 Block Plaza (in front of Starbucks): Up and to The Right (Local Cover Band)
- Chase Bank Plaza (near Cheeky Monkey): Steve Koehler Balloon Guy
- Gallery House: Rick Sanders
- Feldman’s Books: Melodious Thunk — Human Jukebox
- The Main Gallery: Infrastructure
Photo courtesy of Fourth Fridays
Category:
Ardan Michael Blum August 28, 2026 at 2:07 pm
Fourth Fridays may be a fine event.
Do note, that I may be mistaken and that this requires further investigation: The event seems to be produced by the Downtown Menlo Fund, whose co-founder Laura Melahn is currently running for the City Council seat that includes downtown. Her own campaign site presents Fourth Fridays as one of her accomplishments and uses “Love Menlo. Vote Laura,” while saying that she created the Fund’s Love Menlo brand. The Fund’s other three founders are also listed as campaign supporters.
The music may be free. The political context should not be hidden.
Ardan Michael Blum August 28, 2026 at 2:10 pm
Further: I may not have the complete picture, and I welcome factual correction or clarification. Nothing in the pages I reviewed establishes that any law or rule has been broken.
Because a 501(c)(3) organization may not intervene in a candidate’s campaign, however, it is reasonable to ask what safeguards keep the Fund’s finances, mailing lists, volunteers, branding, event publicity, and other resources separate from the campaign. This is a request for transparency, not an allegation of misconduct.