Pritchard Park summer series begins this week

With the start of June comes the return of a number of free events in Pritchard Park, including Hoop Jam and Homegrown in Pritchard concerts.

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, presented by Mission Health, Tuesdays from 5:30-7:30pm, produced by Asheville Hoops
• LEAF Community Arts, Wednesdays from 5:30-7pm, supported by the Asheville Art in the Park Arts and Community Grant
• HomeGrown in Pritchard, in partnership with 98.1 The RIVER, 6-8pm, sponsored by Musician’s Workshop and Echo Mountain Recording Studio
• Asheville Drum Circle, Fridays beginning about 6pm (The Drum Circle extends beyond the Memorial Day to Labor Day timeframe)

Now in its 8th 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.

For ten Wednesdays, starting June 3, LEAF Community Arts will partner with the Asheville Downtown Association to produce a dance-based Art in the Park program series from 6-7pm. Visual and performing artists will present a free series of public dance workshops, accompanied by art activities hosted by the Easel Rider beginning at 5:30pm.

The LEAF teaching artists will represent a variety of dance styles including hip hop, salsa, bhangra, belly dance and African dance. Each artist has mindfully designed interactive sessions suitable for all audiences.

• June 3 – Nadirah (with Adama), African Dance and Drumming with Easel Rider artists Cleaster Cotton & Cristal Fox
• June 10 – Nadirah (with Adama), African Dance and Drumming with Easel Rider artists Cleaster Cotton & Cristal Fox
• June 17 – Christine Garvin, World Dance with Easel Rider artists Cleaster Cotton & Erinn Huntley
• June 24 – Lisa Zahiya, Hip Hop Dance with Easel Rider artists Cleaster Cotton & Erinn Huntley
• July 1 – Lisa Abeling, World Dance with Easel Rider artists Erinn Huntley & Kim
• July 8 – Otto Vazquez, Break/Pop & Lock with Easel Rider artist Cleaster Cotton
• July 15 – Otto Vazquez, Break/Pop & Lock with Easel Rider artist Cleaster Cotton
• July 22 – Lisa Abeling, World Dance with Easel Rider artist Cleaster Cotton
• July 29 – Christine Garvin, Hip Hop with Easel Rider artist Cleaster Cotton
• August 5 – Lisa Zahiya, Bhangra with Easel Rider Cleaster Cotton

Back for its 4th summer in the park, Homegrown in Pritchard is produced in partnership with local radio station 98.1 The River and sponsored by Musician’s Workshop.

Join 98.1 The RIVER for HomeGrown in Pritchard, a FREE concert series Thursday nights from 6-8pm. Each week, a new local musician will perform with an opening set from some of Asheville’s favorite buskers. HomeGrown in Pritchard is presented by 98.1The RIVER and Musician’s Workshop and Echo Mountain Recording Studio.

• June 4 – Ben Wilson & Abby the Spoon Lady
• June 11 – The Greenliners & Josh Newton
• June 18 – Leigh Glass
• June 25 – Pierce Edens
• July 2 – Jeff Santiago
• July 9 – Red Honey
• July 16 – Jeff Thompson
• July 23 – Aaron LaFalce
• July 30 – The Get Right Band
• August 6 – Molly Rose
• August 13 – Andrew Scotchie and the River Rats
• August 20 – Goldie and the Screamers
• August 27 – Busker Showcase

Since 2001, the beats and rhythms of the Asheville Drum Circle has 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 Cultural Arts Program 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).