“What is the best time of the week?” ‘Friday after 5’ is probably the best answer to the question. For Charlottesville residents, this already appealing phrase signifies something even better.
What would you say about starting your weekend off by attending a free concert series? That is exactly what Fridays After Five is. No tickets. No hidden fees. Just live music and a ton of food and other activities. It gets even better when you add the small-town charm of Charlottesville to the broth. It is all about free, family-friendly summer fun for everyone.
The History
The event boasts a 34-year history. 34 years of bringing free entertainment to a town with an already rich history. The award-winning, summer-long event is not only fun but also does wonders financially for all surrounding areas.
It promotes goodwill and brings in a lot of potential customers for the surrounding businesses. This is a testament to the team behind Fridays After Five, whose mission revolves around creating a thriving community.
The Music
Let’s talk about the music! After all, it is the centerpiece of the entire event. A summer-long concert means a large number of live artists on stage. Every attendant always has a sizeable taste of what they like.
The goal every year is to prioritize local artists. Talent within the Charlottesville area is given a literal platform to showcase what they can do. For the local artists, what better gig is there? Think about it: Thousands of potential fans – both local and from all over the country – streaming into Charlottesville to hear you play. For the crowd, it is always a great chance to discover a new favorite band or artist.
Every year, artists with a bit of buzz and an exciting vibe about them get a shot at discovery by featuring in the opening acts. If they play their cards right, or in this case, their instrument of choice, they can come back as headlining acts! Fridays After Five has built some artist profiles to a point where this has happened – all because of a free concert series!
It’s not only local and upcoming artists, though. The line-up is always diverse. A little taste of the oldies (and goldies) here and a little taste of proper cover bands there.
Here’s the confirmed 2022 Fridays After Five line-up for the first half of the year:
- Dropping Julia – April 15
- Orion and the Melted Crayons – April 22
- Mighty Joshua – April 29
- Cougar Beatrice – May 6
- Lord Nelson – May 13
- 180 – May 20
- The Chicken Heads – May 27
- Indecision – June 3
- We Are Star Children – June 10
- Ebony Groove – June 17
- Ken Farmer and the Authenticators – June 24
- The Lua Project – July 1
With such a line-up, new and original music will be (and is always) in plenty. And of course – it’s live! Crowds get to watch artists create melodies live on stage. It’s you (and a thousand other people) getting serenaded by whoever’s on stage as you hear a song in its purest form. There is just something about live music that cannot be replicated elsewhere.
Speaking about the crowd…
The Crowd
The crowds at Fridays After Five are fantastic! Everyone is always out early for the event as long as the weather is nice. If it’s a hot day, the crowds may stroll in much later when it is a little cooler.
They are normally in the thousands, five to six even on a good day! The venue is more than capable of hosting the large number, and businesses around the location of the Fridays After Five concerts are all too happy and willing to make sure that every single one of their needs is catered for.
The Venue
At the east end of Charlottesville’s Downtown mall sits what was always known as the Charlottesville Pavilion. This is the home of Fridays After Five. The Pavilion is not short of tales, especially of the legends that have graced its stage. We’re talking Bon Iver, James Brown, Snoop Dogg, Willie Nelson, and Gregg Allman – just to name a few big names.
Since opening back in 2005, the Pavilion has also hosted numerous events centered around community and non-profit drives. It’s no wonder why over 100,000 visitors visit Downtown Mall annually. The economic impact has been immense over the years.
In 2021, Ting Internet partnered with Red Light Management and the Pavilion to bring back Fridays After Five post-COVID. In a statement, Ting representatives reiterated the importance of the Charlottesville Pavilion to the area, both in terms of the positive economic impact and the cultural status it holds.
Red Light Management and the Charlottesville Pavilion announced a five-year partnership with Ting Internet that saw the city-owned but privately-managed venue rebranded into the Ting Pavilion in a partnership that marked a new era in the Charlottesville art scene.
The Booming Business
The active hours of Fridays After Five make it such that the large crowds have time to scour the area and explore the bars, restaurants, and other such outlets. It is a godsend for business owners. It is the start of the busiest season in downtown Charlottesville, and the owners look forward to it almost as much as the visitors look forward to the entertainment.
In 2021, each Friday brought thousands of patrons to the Downtown Mall for Fridays After Five, something business owners said was a blessing. When the thousands of concert-goers left the Pavilion, they headed right down to the Downtown Mall. Everyone benefitted from the packed bars and restaurants!
Fridays After Five 2022!
The free concert series makes its return to Charlottesville! Mark the dates, April 15th to September 9th, 2022!
Each and every Friday between 5:30pm and 8:30pm, Downtown Charlottesville comes alive as you, your friends, and everyone else in Charlottesville comes out to see the best local talent, all for free at the Ting Pavilion.
Sponsored by Bud Light, Charlottesville’s renowned live concert series makes its first full comeback since 2019. 2022 will be the 34th iteration of the event, with Delta Dental as this season’s stage sponsor.
Each week, volunteers will work in the various booths on behalf of the local non-profits that share in the profits. Tens of thousands of dollars are raised every season to support their work in the Charlottesville community.
Whether you’re a Charlottesville native or a newcomer, the charm of this beautiful town will overwhelm you. Make plans to see what Fridays After Five is all about.
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