THIS line up 2015 website-topblock

If you’ve ever cruised around Midtown on a Second Saturday in the summertime, you know there is a lot of rad stuff going on. Art galleries keep their doors open late, bars are packed to the gills and there is live music everywhere. What was missing for years though was some sort of “anchor event” on Second Saturdays that could draw people in, keep them there for a while and create a real sense of community. Enter THIS, a free block party now in its third year that happens each Second Saturday on 20th Street (between J and K) from June through September. THIS features an expertly curated lineup of national and local bands/DJs, as well as local vendors, live art, food, craft beer, booze and more. The impressive lineup for 2015’s THIS dropped recently and let us just say: it’s going to be a fun summer! It all kicks off on June 13 with electronic musician/producer Cherokee headlining, who hails all the way from Luxembourg! Local acts for the season opener include Exquisite Corps, Mr. Erik James and DJ Epik. July 11’s show features Kauf headlining, a Los Angeles-based electronic musician associated with Cut Copy’s label Cutters Records! Opening that show will be Casino Gold, a popular electro-duo that is also from Los Angeles, as well as local DJs Shaun Slaughter (one of the organizers of THIS) and Adam Jay. Aug. 8’s show will see Oakland-based four-piece indie/pop band Trails and Ways headlining alongside locals Sunmonks (whose 2014 EP In a Desert of Plenty was named Submerge’s favorite release of the year!) as well as Tiaras and a DJ set from Young Aundee. THIS’ series-ender will be on Sept. 12 and will feature prolific Vancouver-based producer Pat Lok headlining with San Francisco singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist 8th Grader providing main support. Locals Joseph in the Well will open that show. All dates are free and start at 4 p.m. Visit Facebook.com/thismidtown for more details and to hear samples from upcoming THIS artists.

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