Main Street...it's where the groovy people meet!

By Sandra Tunnell

Hello, friends!  August is here, and has brought heat, humidity, and hot acts in downtown Ashland (you didn’t think we’d make that work did you?  Have faith!)  We were packed last week for our first Sundown Sounds downtown concert series.  EKG can bring them in and definitely delivered great music on a great night.  If you came up to join us, thank you!  We had a blast downtown watching everyone groove out.  If you missed the grooving, don’t worry- we’re doing these concerts every Friday this month, so you are welcome to join us today (a Friday), and listen to the soulful sounds of Two Trains Running.  Jimi Vincent, another local, amazing talent, leads this duo in some incredible acoustic blues.  The band has performed (and won) nationally at varied blues events.  Their sound has been described as “mesmerizing” and “chocolate nicotine”.  Frankly, if that description is not enough to bring you to our downtown, we’re not sure what is.  So, if you need a great way to relax before the weekend, and wind down after a busy work week, come see us!  We will have some drinks, some sounds, and some people (ok, a lot of people, if last week was anything to go by), all for you to enjoy.  Bring your own chair (or stand up and groove out), and if you are parched, bring some bucks for our cash bar.  And of course, most importantly, bring yourself! 

If you can’t make it today, keep us on the calendar for the next two Fridays this month- we’ll have Jeff Ritz on the 19^th, and Tom’s Kitchen Table August 26^th.  Every concert is 5-7, and every concert is at PNC Park, at the corner of Main and Orange.

(OK, upon reviewing the above paragraphs, we have to comment on how incredible it is, we think, that we have such outstanding homegrown musical talent.  Like, the kind of sounds you would hear in New York City or Los Angles are right here and right from our area.  Isn’t that awesome?!  There must be something in the water to create such super great sound-makers.  We need to bottle that.  Also, that means you are spending a fraction of the money you would to hear big city music in small city Ashland.  We are saving you tons on flight and hotel and ticket prices.  Maybe now is a good time to talk about membership in Ashland Main Street.)

Switching gears, we know some of you are looking for more reasons to come visit us during the week.  You needn’t look too far for next week- our friends (and members!) at Annette’s Victorian Garden are now teenagers and are having a party!  This shop of flower gurus is turning 13 and like all teens today, is hosting its own birthday party.  Come visit them all day on Tuesday, August 16^th, for gifts, door prizes, surprises, refreshments, and of course, 13% off of everything!  They are right around the corner from Main Street at 220 Center Street (in the most gorgeous Victorian home that they have renovated and turned into a showcase.  You know how we get about historic buildings and adaptive reuse.  We’ll stop now, but only if you promise to visit them.)  As a side note, Annette’s does completely amazing arrangements and bouquets that they deliver all over- if you are looking to send artsy displays of flowers to someone, Annette’s is your shop.  (We looooove flowers over here in Ashland Main Street land, fyi.  Our address is 211 Claremont, if you’re looking for a friend to spoil.  You’re welcome.)

One final note for the day- we had the most amazing spectacular awesome time at our first (of many, believe you me) Farm to Table Dinner last week!  We had a gorgeous night with yummy food and amazing people; if you were one of the amazing people (eating our yummy food on that gorgeous night), thank you!  If you had fun like we did, we’re pretty sure you had a great night in downtown Ashland!  Main Street, baby- it’s where the groovy people meet.