Press release from Asheville Downtown Association:
The 34th season of Downtown After 5, presented by Prestige Subaru, wraps up on Friday, September 16 with local DJ Molly Parti hitting the stage at 5pm and Who’s Bad: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience at 7pm. Downtown After 5 is produced by the Asheville Downtown Association and held on Lexington Avenue between Hiawassee St. and the I240 bridge.
Who’s Bad’s live performance is an unrivaled celebration of pop music’s one true king. Their power-packed performance of Michael Jackson’s expansive catalog has ignited crowds on every continent and can only be described as a jaw-dropping, musical must-see.
Molly Parti is the DJ alter ego for Molly Kummerle, singer for trip-hop band Paper Tiger and Motown/jazz/cabaret band RubySlippers. This is her chance to spin most of the music that influences her, from swanky downtempo trip-hop to acid jazz and EDM, classic Motown, soul train, golden age hip hop, funk, disco, soulful house and jazz remixes.
“It has really meant a lot to us to be able to bring back a full season of Downtown After 5 in 2022,” said Meghan Rogers, Asheville Downtown Association’s Executive Director. The series went virtual in 2020 and only occurred once in 2021 due to Covid-19.
Each summer the Asheville Downtown Association partners with five local nonprofits to sell wristbands at the event. The ADA has given more than $250,000 to area nonprofits through this program.
September’s nonprofit is Asheville Music School. The mission of Asheville Music School is strengthening communities through music education and outreach, while sustaining teachers and musicians in a vibrant music culture. More than 35 music educators conduct private lessons in a wide variety of music styles and instruments for students of all ages and abilities. We also offer band and ensemble classes, summer camps, master classes and workshops in a supportive family-friendly environment.
Through its 2022 events, the Asheville Downtown Association has supported Asheville FM, Asheville Latin Americans Achieving Success, Asheville Mardi Gras, Blue Ridge Pride, LEAF Global Arts, Open Hearts Art Center, Save Our Brass Foundation and the YMI Cultural Center.
Downtown After 5 food vendors include a little something for everyone from locals Cecilia’s Kitchen, Cooking with Comedy, Funnel King, Gypsy Queen, Kernal Mike’s Famous Kettle Corn, Sunshine Sammies and TinCan Pizzaria.
Downtown After 5 is sponsored by Prestige Subaru, Budweiser of Asheville, Empire Distributors, Skyland Distributing Company, Go Minis Portable Storage, Ingles Markets, Gillespie Dental Associates, Explore Asheville, Crooked Tree Creative, Central United Methodist Church, Cambria Suites, Hemingway’s Cuba, Mellow Mushroom, The City of Asheville, 97.7 The Brew, Star 104.3, Rabbit Rabbit, Asheville Color & Imaging and Strada Italiano.
something about the name Molly Parti that is slightly suggestive …