CityLife Block Party Series

WRC and TSN Publishing are doing it again! We are bringing the CityLife Block Party Series downtown this summer. The series, presented by DuPont and The Buccini/Pollin Group, will add to the exciting energy of the city by bringing even more folks downtown after work!

Each themed event will feature live music, food and beverages at the Plaza at City Center (on Tatnall Street between 10th and 11th Streets) from 5 to 9 p.m. Your $5 wristband will get you in for the fun and you also get free parking in the City Center garage (located on 11th street, just before Deep Blue) with the wristband.

Food will be offered by downtown restaurants and beer and wine will be available as well. A portion of the wristband sales will benefit the Wilmington Jaycees.

In case of rain, the event will be held inside the former Costa's Restaurant space which is directly off of the Plaza.

In 2008 we will offer four block parties in the series. They include:

• Friday, May 16--Kickoff to the Wilmington Grand Prix
• Wednesday, June 4--Summer Jam
• Wednesday, July 16--Hollywood Funk Fest
• Wednesday, August 6--Blues Power Happy Hour 3 (a preview of the Riverfront Blues Festival)

You won't want to miss the good time downtown! So loosen your tie, kick off your high heels and join the party after work!

Back by popular demand, the final block party in the series will be the Blues Power Happy Hour 3 on August 6.

Click to learn more or purchase wristbands!

Local blues musicians will rock the Plaza at City Center from 5 to 9 p.m. while Ameritage Bistro, Cafe Mezzanotte, Deep Blue and The Exchange serve up the food. Beer, wine, soda and water will be available.

The block party is just in time to kick off the Riverfront Blues Festival which will be held on the riverfront from Aug. 8 to 10.

In case of rain, the event will be held inside the former Costa's Restaurant directly off of the plaza.

On Wednesday, June 4 Mad Sweet Pangs performed with special guests from Montana Wildaxe and The Porch Chops.

Ameritage Bistro, Cafe Mezzanotte, Deep Blue and The Exchange sold food and wine, beer, water and soda were featured.

The weather didn't cooperate, but we held the event inside the former Costa's Restaurant and the crowd had a great time despite the rain!

The regional entertainer, Hollywood, brought the funk on July 16 from 5 to 9 p.m. in the Plaza at City center.

Hollywood and the Final Kutt entertained the crowd while Ameritage Bistro, Cafe Mezzanotte, Deep Blue and The Exchange offer food. Beer, wine, soda and water was also be available.

In addition to the presenting sponsors, DuPont and Buccini/Pollin Group, the Hollywood Funk Fest was sponsored by WJBR, City of Wilmington and Wilmington City Council.

There are still sponsorship opportunities available for the individual block parties.

Sponsors can choose various levels of sponsorship which will cover the cost of the different elements necessary for the block parties to be a success.

Last year, the series was a huge success with:

Thanks to the hundreds of people who came out to make the first event in the series a success!

Out & About Music Awards rocked the Plaza at City Center on Wednesday, June 27. Winners of Out & About's music competition were showcased during the event. The winners included Ian Walsh, Cliff Hillis, Delaware Rag, IKE, and Omnisoul!

The proceeds will benefit the Central YMCA and Walnut Street YMCA.

The Blues Power Happy Hour was such a hit last year that we brought it back for a second year.

The Blues Power Happy Hour 2 on Wednesday, July 25 was an even greater success! We estimate the crowd to be about 800 throughout the night. Fun was had by all as they listened to the Luck Brothers, The Young Wilmington Blues All Stars and the Roger Girke Band. The proceeds will benefit Habitat for Humanity of New Caslte County.

The party was a great way to kick off the City of Wilmington's Riverfront Blues Festival which begins August 10. For more information on the Blues Festival, visit www.riverfrontbluesfest.com!

Hollywood's Funk Fest closed out the series on Wednesday, August 29.

Hollywood, a well-known regional musician of HW and the Band and former lead singer of the Red Alert Band, brought some of his friends out for the evening! The result was a funky jam session of Motown, 70s and 60s hits and more!

The evening was a great time and the proceeds benefitted the Ministry of Caring.