Spring Break
Local businesses join forces to build neighborhood unity
GRACE MORRIS
Issue date: 4/2/09 Section: Out & About
Picture a potluck dinner. Kids run around the cul-de-sac scraping their knees, pets eat potato salad off of neglected paper plates, and neighbors maintain polite banter while secretly noting whose casserole was eaten and who will trek home with leftovers in hand.
Where: Parking lot behind Half-Moon, The Hub, Aromas strip
Cost: Free
But then, think again, because that is not the sort of potluck Half Moon Outfitters, Aromas and The Hub Bicycles had in mind. As a sort of appetizer before Twilight Criterium 2009, the three stores will host the first ever Five Points Backyard Bash on Saturday.
"There used to be more community building events in Five Points," Mark Schroeder, an employee at The Hub, said. "But for some reason they died down a few years ago, and we want to bring back the spirit of community to our neighborhood."
To spearhead this admirable goal, the triple threat store fronts on Milledge Avenue set an example of neighborly bonding by conceiving, planning and promoting this event as a team.
The backyard bash will take place in the parking lot located behind these stores and will showcase what each establishment has to offer.
"We'll be serving free drink tastings," Heather Allister of Aromas said. "We're not allowed to serve alcohol outdoors, but people can ... stop inside for alcoholic drink samples. In addition to these beverages, local restaurant Kelly's Jerk Authentic Jamaican Wings an' Tings will cater the event.
Throughout the year The Hub always encourages customers to donate old bikes to Bike Athens, an organization that promotes alternate forms of transportation. At the Bash, however, The Hub will take its charitable endeavors a step further and offer $20 off a new bike for everyone who donates an old one.
"We hope to make this sort of a bike drive," Schroeder said. "We want to end the day with as many bikes as possible, and we encourage people to walk or bike to the event."
Not failing to do its part, Half-Moon Outfitters will provide a free climbing wall.
"If all goes well, we would like to make this an annual event," Sara Harris of Half Moon said. "We appreciate the neighborhood around us, and the three of us are doing what we can to foster the community environment."
Florida-based headliner of the Bash is Tropical Breeze, a hip-hop reggae band that specializes in spring break entertainment. Next the line up goes: The Artie Ball Swing Band, which plays exactly what the name suggests- classic swing music complete with a saxophone and trumpet. Fellow Athens band, Brave New Citizen, created less than a year ago, will perform experimental music with rock influences. The show will open with soulful country music provided by Betsy Franck & the Bare Knuckle Band.
FIVE POINTS BACKYARD BASH
When: 10 a.m. Saturday, live music from noon to 7 p.m.Where: Parking lot behind Half-Moon, The Hub, Aromas strip
Cost: Free
But then, think again, because that is not the sort of potluck Half Moon Outfitters, Aromas and The Hub Bicycles had in mind. As a sort of appetizer before Twilight Criterium 2009, the three stores will host the first ever Five Points Backyard Bash on Saturday.
"There used to be more community building events in Five Points," Mark Schroeder, an employee at The Hub, said. "But for some reason they died down a few years ago, and we want to bring back the spirit of community to our neighborhood."
To spearhead this admirable goal, the triple threat store fronts on Milledge Avenue set an example of neighborly bonding by conceiving, planning and promoting this event as a team.
The backyard bash will take place in the parking lot located behind these stores and will showcase what each establishment has to offer.
"We'll be serving free drink tastings," Heather Allister of Aromas said. "We're not allowed to serve alcohol outdoors, but people can ... stop inside for alcoholic drink samples. In addition to these beverages, local restaurant Kelly's Jerk Authentic Jamaican Wings an' Tings will cater the event.
Throughout the year The Hub always encourages customers to donate old bikes to Bike Athens, an organization that promotes alternate forms of transportation. At the Bash, however, The Hub will take its charitable endeavors a step further and offer $20 off a new bike for everyone who donates an old one.
"We hope to make this sort of a bike drive," Schroeder said. "We want to end the day with as many bikes as possible, and we encourage people to walk or bike to the event."
Not failing to do its part, Half-Moon Outfitters will provide a free climbing wall.
"If all goes well, we would like to make this an annual event," Sara Harris of Half Moon said. "We appreciate the neighborhood around us, and the three of us are doing what we can to foster the community environment."
Florida-based headliner of the Bash is Tropical Breeze, a hip-hop reggae band that specializes in spring break entertainment. Next the line up goes: The Artie Ball Swing Band, which plays exactly what the name suggests- classic swing music complete with a saxophone and trumpet. Fellow Athens band, Brave New Citizen, created less than a year ago, will perform experimental music with rock influences. The show will open with soulful country music provided by Betsy Franck & the Bare Knuckle Band.
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