Pritchard Park Summer Series launches this week

PRESS RELEASE FROM ASHEVILLE DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION:

The Asheville Downtown Association’s Pritchard Park Summer Series gets into full swing this week with four nights of programming in downtown’s Pritchard Park. All events are free and open to the public.

The Pritchard Park Summer Series includes:

· Hoop Jam, Tuesdays from 5:30-7:30pm, produced by Asheville Hoops

· LEAF Community Arts, Wednesdays from 6-7pm, supported by the Asheville Art in the Park Arts and Community Grant

· Pritchard Park Singer/Songwriter Series, 6-8pm, supported by Echo Mountain Studios

· Asheville Drum Circle, Fridays beginning about 6pm (The Drum Circle extends beyond the Memorial Day to Labor Day timeframe)

Now in its 9th summer, Hoop Jam is a fun way to put a little play in your day. Instruction is provided by Melanie MacNeil, widely recognized as one of Asheville and the Southeast’s finest fire and hoop performers. Local musician, George Pond, delivers the tunes. Bring your hoop or borrow one to try out.

LEAF GLOBAL CITIZEN’S DANCE & ART SERIES – WEDNESDAYS 6-7PM w/ arts & crafts from the LEAF Easel Rider

• June 8 – African Dance w/ Barakissa Coulibaly

• June 15 – African Dance w/ Barakissa Coulibaly

• June 22 – Program to be determined

• June 29 – Scratching & Mixing Free-syle Dance w/ DJ Kutzu

• July 6 – Scratching & Mixing Free-style Dance w/ DJ Kutzu

• July 13 – Hiphop or Bhangra w/ Lisa Zahiya

• July 20 – Scratching & Mixing Free-style w/ DJ Kutzu

• July 27 – Freeze Dance Free-style w/ DJ Nex Millen & Joe Adams

• August 3 – Freeze Dance Free-style w/ DJ Nex Millen & Joe Adams

PRITCHARD PARK SINGER/SONGWRITER SERIES – THURSDAYS 6-8PM

• June 9 – Patrick Dodd

• June 16 – Ashley Heath

• June 23 – Savannah Smith

• June 30 – Eleanor Underhill

• July 7 – Lyric

• July 14 – Stevie Lee Combs

• July 21 – Chris Jamison

• July 28 – Douglas McElvy

• August 4 – Gavin Conner

• August 11 – Chris O’Neill & Chris Kew

The singer/songwriter series is supported in part by Echo Mountain Studios.

Since 2001, the beats and rhythms of the Asheville Drum Circle have pulled people into Pritchard Park. The free community event draws not only drummers, but dancers, spectators and more. Attendees are welcome to bring along their own drums and join in the fun. The Drum Circle takes place every Friday (weather permitting) and begins about 6pm.

The Pritchard Park Summer Series is a production of the Asheville Downtown Association, a nonprofit organization committed to the preservation and improvement of the central business district.

More information about the Pritchard Park Summer Seres and the Asheville Downtown Association can be found online at www.ashevilledowntown.org or by following through social media including Facebook (www.facebook.com/AshevilleDowntownAssociation) and Twitter (@AVLDowntown).