Free 3rd of July Concert @ Phoenix Park

CD Central, Morris Book Shop, Void Skateshop, and Buster’s present the 3^rd of July Concert @ Phoenix Park

For my money, there’s no better way to spend your Independence Day afternoon than at Phoenix Park. Whether or not you’re amongst those of us who take this opportunity to drink downtown with impunity, the Fourth ‘o July at Phoenix—now in its eighth year—is your chance to check out some great live music smack in the middle of downtown Lexington.  Just like Americans, this music is free.  But, for a few reasons, this year’s festivities will be a little different than in years past.

For starters, the Fourth will actually be celebrated on the Saturday the Third.  Don’t screw this up; 3 is the new 4.

Second, it will be hotter than ever this year, as the park’s only grassy area, once a popular spot for picnicking and lounging, has been paved over to create a new firefighter’s memorial.  An eternal flame dedicated to firefighters seems ironic and paganistically sanctimonious to me.  But the park is, I’m assuming, dutifully approximating its namesake with the extra-radiant concrete standing in for the burning pyres of the Phoenix myth; We, The People will have risen from the ashes when we peel our smoldering keisters off this concrete parkland—should we dare sit.  A nearby memorial to firefighters burned alive, compounded by the promise of fireworks, is too much to comment upon, so I digress…

Third: there should be a new sidewalk completed on the corner of Main and Limestone by Independence Day Eve.  This offers a sexier, sleeker place to survey the exotic flatland known as The Centrepointe, or to marvel at the simplicity of the fountain before the new courthouse known as “the bum shower.”

Lastly, there are more new bands playing this year, and you’re likely to hear something you’ve never heard before.  Here’s the lineup:

11 a.m.—The Bleats (melodic pop rock)

12 noon—Randy Tuesday & the Two Two Tuesdays (50s/60s pop cover song barrage)

1 p.m.—Ford Theatre Reunion (vaudeville rock)

3:30 p.m.—Rough Customers (ska/punk)

4:30 p.m.—Frank Rocket (punk/surf)

See you there!—Nick Kidd