The Debonaires jam at the original Downtown Street Jam. (2009/File Photo)
The Downtown Summer Street Jam is celebrating local businesses in Riverside and the arts with its return on Saturday, Aug. 3, but organizers have announced a location change for the outdoor festival, which features a headlining set by The Aggrolites and local support by The Debonaires, Tribal Lust (the latest flyer has “and the Horny Natives” omitted from the name) and The Pac Men.
The new location is University Avenue between Lemon and Orange–in its past life, the Downtown Street Jam was held at Orange and Ninth in downtown Riverside.
I asked Robbie Silver with the Downtown Riverside Partnership about the change and he said logistically the size of the stage works better in the new location and that it is closer to the businesses sponsoring the event.
Those sponsoring the shindig include the newly opened D-Dogs, Heroes Bar and Grill, Lake Alice Trading Company, Mario’s Place, Mission Tobacco Lounge, Pixels, ProAbition Kitchen and Cocktails, The Menagerie, and Worthington’s Tavern.
The Downtown Street Jam started back in 2009 (with an epic set by Voodoo Glow Skulls and a set by The Debonaires, too) as a way for businesses and the Riverside Downtown Partnership to combat the construction going on downtown and to lure people to visit the businesses. After a few more events, including performances from Poncho Sanchez and Smile Empty Soul, the concert series fizzled.
It’s OK to bring chairs for the show, but organizers are asking that you leave the umbrellas at home.
The music starts at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 3 with The Pac Men, followed by Tribal Lust at 4 p.m., The Debonaires at 6 p.m. and The Aggrolites at 8 p.m.
You can get more info at www.riversidedowntown.org.
Speaking of The Debonaires, the band, which has helped keep Riverside’s ska torch aflame for years, just released the new album “Movin’.”
The band also just released a video produced by the band’s lead guitarist Mike Presser and features footage from The Debonaires’ recent Canadian tour.
Here’s a taste of The Aggrolites, with “Rugged Road.”
