Destination: Downtown Reading!

I S S U E 6 7 JUNE 14, 2018

The Reading Downtown Improvement District office is located at 645 Penn Street, First Floor, Suite 105. Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Office number: 610-376-6424

DID Ambassadors number: 484-955-0315 (Please call this number directly for escort assistance to vehicles, trash and leaf removal, graffiti removal, and public nuisance issues)

DID You Know?

As one of the sponsors of the Downtown Alive free outdoor concert series, the Reading Parking Authority (RPA) will provide free parking at its Fourth and Cherry garage starting at 4 p.m. on each concert day. Parking Authority rules and regulations will apply at other RPA locations in downtown Reading. We’re Ready To Go Go Here is some additional information about the concert series: With Our Free Concerts!  The concerts will take place rain or shine. We’re only days away from popping open the lid on summertime fun in downtown Only severe thunder- Reading with our free Downtown Alive outdoor concerts presented by Weidenhammer! storms would delay or First up – Go Go Gadjet on Wednesday, June 20 in the 500 block of Penn Street. force cancellation of This locally-bred band knows how to crank up the crowds with their punchy blend of the shows. dance music rhythms from past and present. Opening the show will be DJ Masterglass, a high-energy DJ/drummer duo.  The concerts are family

and pet friendly. Those Go Go Gadjet’s innovative combination of traditional instruments with modern synths who bring pets are and controllers has allowed them to craft a sound and presentation that is uniquely their responsible for their own. A decade on the road has molded the group into a trendsetting entertainment actions. juggernaut. (article continued on back page) It’s Almost Go Go Time For Downtown Alive Shows!

(article continued from front page) Continually reinventing their stage design, Go Go Gadjet’s visual display rivals that of a nationally touring act. The band believes that imagery and music go hand in hand. With careful thought and planning, Go Go Gadjet works to create captivating visuals that complement and enhance the live experience.

Since forming in 2014 as a side-project from the pop-rock band, Minshara, DJ Aaron Miller and drummer Evan Kirkley of DJ Masterglass have been carving out their own place in the dance music world. Hailing from nearby Harrisburg, this duo will definitely get the outdoor party started on the right foot.

And what’s a party without great food and drink? A fantastic group of vendors will be selling your favorites throughout the night. The lineup includes: Sly Fox Brewery, selling a variety of craft beers Reading Distilling Guild, serving up rum-based cocktails Calvaresi Winery, featuring wine by the glass and wine slushies SMG/Santander Arena, offering popular brands of beer Mi Casa Su Casa, dishing out Latino-American cuisine with a touch of soul Sammy’s Steaks, known for its mouth-watering fries and, of course, steak sandwiches Sweet Ride Ice Cream – need we say more? Brocmar Smokehouse, presenting authentic Southern homestyle BBQ and side dishes Gourmand, an artisan food truck with delectable treats Aaron’s Tacos, a downtown food truck staple for years (Please note: vendors are subject to change.)

The concert series will continue Wednesday, July 18 with , an exciting new band that features musicians who have played together for decades throughout various projects and share a musical bond. The band brings , the guitarist and co-founding member of , together with two key members of Crowes fame -- guitarist and bassist -- alongside drummer Joe Magistro, keyboardist Matt Slocum and lead singer John Hogg.

Taking the stage on Wednesday, August 15, will be Sugar Hill Gang, the groundbreaking pioneers of hip hop whose hits include “Rapper's Delight”, “8th Wonder” and “Apache”; and NOVA, a Reading-based rapper who burst onto the national scene by winning Season 3 of Lifetime Network’s hit television show "The Rap Game".

On Wednesday, September 12, a Latin music extravaganza will feature several regional bands performing in a variety of styles. Among those scheduled to appear are Los Monstros, as well as PA Mambo Orchestra and Manny C.

The concert series will wrap up in out-of-this-world style with Galactic Empire, a heavy metal band inspired by music from the Star Wars saga. Opening act will be the local band The Horrornauts.

All concerts will be held in the 500 block of Penn Street between 5 and 9 p.m. In addition to the free musical performances, a “kids play zone” will also be set up featuring face painting, balloon animals and a roving magician.

The Downtown Alive concert series is intended to support the revitalization of downtown Reading. The series receives major funding from Berks County Community Foundation and Berks County Convention Center. Weidenhammer is the Platinum Sponsor for the shows. Downtown Alive is produced by the Reading Downtown Improvement District in partnership with Illusion Sound & Lighting and Red Tie Affairs.

Additional sponsors include the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel (hospitality sponsor) and Reading Parking Authority. As in previous years, the Reading Parking Authority will provide free parking in the Fourth and Cherry garage starting at 4 p.m. on the day of each concert (see “Did You Know?” on Page 1 for additional information). Interested in becoming a sponsor? Contact the Improvement District office at 610-376-6424 to learn more.

To discover more about the concert series, go to www.downtownalivereading.com or “Downtown Alive” on Facebook and Instagram.

The Reading Downtown Improvement District is focused on creating a vital, productive and commercially active environment in downtown Reading. The Improvement District provides cleaning, security, and marketing services for a specially designated commercial district in the city, and also sponsors several events and activities throughout the year, including MidDay Cafes, Reading Holiday Parade, Downtown Alive outdoor concert series, and Reading Fire + Ice Fest. The Improvement District continually strives to make downtown Reading a cleaner, safer, and more inviting place to live, work, and visit. You can learn more about us on our website at: www.downtownreading.com.