There’ll be some new kids on the block at this Saturday’s Downtown Block Party, and 50 of them are planning to kick off the evening with a big surprise, says party organizer Valerie Marcley.
A surprise being a surprise, that’s all Marcley will say, except to add: “Be there. At 6:10 p.m., at the Sargent Stage. You’re gonna love it.”
This is the second of three Downtown Block Parties of the 2012 summer season, and, falling on the evening of the all-day Gloucester Waterfront Festival at Stage Fort Park, “it gives people — especially families— lots of variety,” Marcley says.
Marcley, who’s been juggling some last-minute schedule changes, is also excited about newcomerBryson Lang, who happens to be famous for juggling. His act, billed as “The Cure for the Common Show,” promises to be “hilarious and bizarre,” says Marcley, and follows “the big surprise” at the Sargent Stage, starting at 7:10 p.m.
Also “a bucket of fun,” are ‘Funbucket,’ Marcley says, a “crowd-rousing band that kicks- off at 7 p.m. at the Dog Bar’s outdoor music bistro.”
All together five sound stages will once again be jam-packed with local music talents jamming, rocking and serenading al fresco diners and late-night shoppers from 6 to 11 p.m.
For Marcley, a veteran producer on Boston’s music scene who’s been coordinating the Downtown Block Parties for the past two summers, the multiple sound stages are a signature “energy booster, and that’s important.” But, she’s quick to add, “so is everything else.”
A huge hit with families, she says, is Kids Town, with Cape Ann YMCA’s Rick Doucette and his wife, Loren, running the show, which includes balloon and face art, street games, and free treats, courtesy of Shop ’n’ Stop.
“The main event,” says Marcley, “is Main Street itself,” which — with the help of belly dancers, ballet dancers, buskers, musicians, magicians, roving vide interviewers, great late-night shopping and al fresco dining — “transforms itself.” Starting at the west end, with the Mystery Train and Dog Bar stages, to the Sargent and Franklin Cafe stages, and on to upper Main Street’s Sovereign Stage, “everyone brings something special to every party,” says Marcley.
Organizers of both events have worked well together to help each other, Marcley says, as have all 10 restaurants and 22 retail shops participating in the Downtown Block Party.
“We all work together,” says Marcley, “and that’s why it all works.”
Joann Mackenzie may be contacted at 978-283-7000x3457 or jomackenzie@gloucestertimes.com.
Block Party Saturday, 6 to 11 p.m. SARGENT STAGE 6:10 -- Rockport Dance Academy 7:10 -- Bryson Lang, juggling 8:10 -- The Polygroove Orchestra 9:10 -- Lauriellen and the Boys - sea shanties to blues and soaring vocal harmonies MYSTERY TRAIN STAGE 6 -- Sunny Fish Cakes Music Review - Blues and folk with Kitt Cox. 7 -- Cape Ann Dance Troupe 8 -- Capt. Paul "Sasquatch" Cohan, hometown music 9 -- Flash Jack Eppington - acoustic, electric guitarist and singer DOG BAR BISTRO 7 - Funbucket, bring your dancing shoes! FRANKLIN CAFÉ 7 -- LindaAmero Jazz Quartet 6 to 11 -- Ovathebridge roving tnterviews - Get on camera with Kory and Jon 6 to 11 -- impromptu entertainment at the Info Plaza next to Mark Adrian Shoes SOVEREIGN STAGE (At the Sovereign Bank Upper Main Street) 6 -- Hot Johnny - Seven-piece rhythm and blues band. 7 -- OmBelly Belly Dance Troupe - American tribal dancing. 8 -- Fraternal Combustion Engine - Will Hunt's nephews, Adrian and Riley 9 -- 'The Terrestrials' followed by Will Hunt and Friends, two great music groups
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