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A steady stream of music is coming to the South Valley this summer. Fifth Street Live returns to downtown Gilroy Friday, June 17 and Morgan Hill’s annual Friday Night Music Series returned June 3.
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Friday Night Music Series
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Friday Night Music Series has 11 weeks left in its 13-week residence at the Downtown Amphitheater.
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“It’s free, so families can come on out, bring a blanket or lawn chairs and enjoy some great bands,” said Erin Machado, Membership Director of the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce.
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The music series takes place from 6 to 9 p.m.
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San Jose band The Hitmen are scheduled for the next event on June 17. The band focuses on covering 70’s funk, soul, and latin songs, as well as current hits.
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Although the Friday Night Music Series has existed in some form or another for over 20 years, it’s only in the last several years that it’s really taken off, Machado says.
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“We’re getting 1,500, almost 2,000 people on a Friday night,” says Machado.
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The local Kiwanis Club serves pulled pork sandwiches and hot dogs during the event to raise money for their Youth Scholarship program. The Chamber of Commerce vendor booth sells wine and beer.
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“You can spend a little money if you want to, or you can bring a pizza and your own water,” said Chamber of Commerce President John Horner.
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The Chamber of Commerce hosts the music series with help from local sponsors. This year’s sponsors include Guglielmo Winery, Thinker Toys, Pinnacle Bank and Santa Teresa Dental. Leadership Morgan Hill Board Director Nick Firato secured the sponsors for Friday Night Music Series.
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“I want to make sure our sponsors know that without them, this event wouldn’t be what it is today,” he says.
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Firato says he’s proud to be involved in the community and the music series.
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“It’s a rewarding experience for me,” says Firato. “The Chamber, our team, we’ve been able to expand year after year. It’s a win-win for the community.”
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Horner encourages newcomers to check out the event.
“One of the things I love about going out there is you see people of all ages, all socioeconomic status, all races, everybody’s out there,” Horner says. “It’s Friday night. It’s time to blow off a little steam and have a good time.”
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Fifth Street Live
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Fifth Street Live is a free concert series put on by the Gilroy Downtown Business Association (GDBA) held on Fifth Street between Monterey Road and Eigleberry Street every Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. The music series lasts for six weeks.
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GDBA Coordinator Melanie Corona is excited to bring Fifth Street Live back to the community this summer.
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Corona says it’s a good way to connect with the community and “It’s supporting local musicians in town. It’s a great way to tire out your kid, to enjoy dinner outside, dance, have a great time with friends.”
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Local band Miko’s Montage is scheduled to play the opening event. The band is a power trio comprised of Mike Malinao on guitar, Mike Oneto on bass, and Jeff Strametz on drums. All three members share vocal duties. They play R&B, rock, country and funk covers.
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Malinao played Fifth Street Live last year with a different band called the Red Barn Rockers. He’s excited about returning to the event. “It’s a great opportunity for a unique night out for dinner,” he says. “Then stroll down to enjoy live local entertainment in downtown!”
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Attendees are welcome to bring picnics, perfect for dinner and a show. The GDBA is planning on selling soda, beer and wine. Lagunitas is donating beer, according to Corona.
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But what about food?
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“We’re currently working on adding a mobile feast element,” says Brian Dauenhauer, President of the GDBA Board of Directors.
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That mobile feast is actually Moveable Feast, a conglomerate of food trucks based in Silicon Valley, founded and owned by Ryan Sebastian. Sebastian is famous for Treatbot, the Karaoke Ice Cream Truck based in San Jose.
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The Moveable Feast food trucks will be stationed in Gourmet Alley during the weekly event.
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Excited to bring this event back, Dauenhauer says “The atmosphere is friendly and inviting. And with the food truck element it’s going to be a spectacular event.”
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Fifth Street Live—Downtown Gilroy
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Friday nights* until August 5
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7 to 9 p.m.
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Fifth Street, between Monterey & Eigleberry
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Visit gilroywelcomecenter.org/ for more information.
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* no performances on 7/1 or 7/29
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Friday Night Music Series—Morgan Hill
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Friday nights until August 26
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6 to 9 p.m.
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Morgan Hill Downtown Amphitheater
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at the Community and Cultural Center
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Corner of Dunne Ave & Monterery Rd
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Visit morganhill.org for more information
