South Perry Street Fair

by Mike Corrigan


Shifting from "loud music" to "not quite as loud as the music previewed in the previous two features," this weekend is also notable for the 3rd annual South Perry Summer Street Fair, an all-day block party this Saturday with fun, food and music for the whole family. Sponsored by the South Perry Business Association and once again benefiting the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery, the event takes place in the heart of the South Perry neighborhood's business district (between 8th and 12th Avenues) and will include a classic car show, live music, a quilt show and other activities.


The music will be happening at the Shop, this South Hill neighborhood's official coffeehouse/gallery/performance art space. The Shop has been a catalyst for economic and cultural development in the area, and the meeting place where the proactive attitudes that have transformed (and continue to transform) this once-decaying business district were first hatched. Additionally, the Shop as a performance venue and recording studio has aided in the continuing resurgence of live original music in Spokane. Throughout the day and continuing well into the warm summer evening, a steady stream of local performers will take to the Shop's humble stage, turning the street fair's curious attendees on to the variety of quality original acoustic and electric music available on the local scene. Performers include (in roughly chronological order) Brad Keeler, John Breach, Poor Man's Trio, Carlos Alden, Jim Boyd, Julie Stone, Ellis, Carl Rantzow, the Rock Ness Monsters, Rand-Univac and Mulligan.