Downtown Asheville after 5 on Fri 6/19

Downtown After Five 2009 by the Asheville Downtown Association
Fri Jun 19 from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm on North Lexington AT I-240 and Hiawassee, North Lexington

Contact Info: 8282519973 or Email: info@AshevilleDowntown.org

On Friday, June 19, Downtown After Five continues its "entertainment stimulus package" with local band The Cheeksters, electroacoustic bluegrass sensations Brushfire Stankgrass and blues guitar legend Geoff Achison with special guest Randall Bramblett. DTA5 takes place on Lexington Avenue between Hiawassee Street and I-240.

Described as a mix of British pop, glam and R&B, Asheville's own The Cheeksters will start the evening off at 5:15pm. The band is touring in support of their latest album, Movers and Shakers, which critics call "unabashedly groovy."

Also hailing from Asheville, Brushfire Stankgrass will take the stage at 6:20pm. With a knack for making people dance, the band fuses old mountain music with new for a remarkably original sound. Brushfire Stankgrass was recently named in Mountain Xpress's Best of WNC in the folk/old time/bluegrass category.

Headliner Geoff Achison is affectionately known as Australia's Eric Clapton. He performs at 7:45pm with special guest Randall Bramblett joining the Soul Diggers. Achison is known for his jaw dropping guitar virtuoso with rich soulful vocals - no tricks, no pedals, no gadgets - just good gutsy, organic music. Bramblett, a multi-instrumentalist, brings a variety of sounds to the stage. Bramblett has shared the stage with Widespread Panic, Traffic and The Allman Brothers Band amongst countless others.

Proceeds from wristband sales at each Downtown After Five benefit a local charity. June's recipient is Arts2People. The non-profit is devoted to promoting the role of the arts as an integral part of culture.

Other 2009 beneficiaries include Asheville Area Arts Council, Asheville GreenWorks, Downtown Asheville Residential Neighbors (DARN) and Asheville Sister Cities International.

Downtown After Five is committed to continuing reducing its carbon footprint. The concert series features biodegradable food and beverage containers, staffed compost and recycling stations, a solar-powered main stage and a complimentary bike corral. DTA5 sent just 1.5 bags of trash to the landfill after the May event.

Food vendors for the 2009 Downtown After Five Series are The Lobster Trap, Nick's, Anderson Davis Hot Dogs, Ultimate Ice Cream, One World, Rolling Stone Pizza and Sugar Momma's Cookies.

DTA5 features a wide selection of beers including local favorites: French Broad Brewery, Highland Brewing Company, Green Man Ales, Pisgah Brewing Company and Asheville Pizza & Brewing. Regional breweries for this year's events are Magic Hat Brewing Company, SweetWater Brewery, Big Block and Starr Hill Brewery. Attendees will also find national brands Budweiser, Bud Light, Shock Top, Kona, Bass and Guinness.

Downtown After Five is a production of the Asheville Downtown Association, a membership organization committed to being the voice of downtown. For more information, visit www.ashevilledowntown.org.