“As the Downtown Thursdays Concert Series has continued to grow and get better, so too has the city of Bridgeport, and we are excited to host this free outdoor concert series once again. Thousands of people attended these free concerts last year, had a great time in Downtown Bridgeport and heard great music and we’re building on that success this summer. We’re excited about the lineup of bands including Bridgeport’s very own, The Alternate Routes. I’m proud to have a band from Bridgeport help us kick off the first concert of the summer.” – Mayor Bill Finch
Bridgeport, Conn. (June 18, 2015) – Today, Mayor Bill Finch celebrates the beginning of Downtown Thursdays and welcomes a Bridgeport native band, The Alternate Routes, as they headline the City’s first Downtown Thursdays concert of the summer.
“As the Downtown Thursdays Concert Series has continued to grow and get better, so too has the city of Bridgeport, and we are excited to host this free outdoor concert series once again. Thousands of people attended these free concerts last year, had a great time in Downtown Bridgeport and heard great music and we’re building on that success this summer,” said Mayor Finch. “We’re excited about the lineup of bands including Bridgeport’s very own, The Alternate Routes. I’m proud to have a band from Bridgeport to help us kick off the first concert of the summer.”
The Alternate Routes is an American rock band out of Bridgeport, Connecticut that was founded in 2002 by Tim Warren and Eric Donnelly. Their current members are Eric Donnelly, Tim Warren, Mike Sembos, and Kurt Leon. In 2006, they won an Independent Music Award for the song “Ordinary.” They signed a record deal with Vanguard Records later that year and performed their single “Time is a Runaway” on Late Night with Conan O’Brien. They gained national notoriety with their performance of the song “Nothing More” during the closing ceremonies of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi on NBC.
More than a decade into their career they have thrived through changing record labels, shifting lineups, and the many highs and lows that come with life on the road. The Alternate Routes remain committed to focusing on the things they can control, forgetting about the things they can’t, and doing what they do best. “Tim has a big voice, and I play a big guitar. That’s what we do. All these years later that’s the only thing that hasn’t changed,” said guitarist Eric Donnelly.
The City, DSSD and their partners, are excited to announce a new format for the concert series. Like last year, each live concert will feature two musical performances – an opening act and headliner – to extend the party from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. every week.
Last year, people didn’t want the party to end, so this year Downtown Thursdays will include after-parties at a local establishments once the live music ends. This season’s shows will run from June 18 to July 23.
Here are the bands are performing this summer:
The all-ages festivities are free to the public. Beer, wine and water will be sold during the concerts. The City and DSSD will not permit outside alcoholic beverages at the concerts.
Each after-party is 21 and older.
McLevy Green is located just a few short blocks from the Bridgeport Metro North Railroad Station and GBTA.
For more information and to follow the summer line-up, please visit: www.dowtownthursdays.com. If you wish to become a sponsor for the upcoming season of Downtown Thursdays, please contact Michael Moore at moore.dssd@infobridgeport.com.
About the Bridgeport Downtown Special Services District:
The Bridgeport DSSD serves as the Business Improvement District for Downtown Bridgeport. The DSSD is charged with fostering an attractive, welcoming and business-friendly-environment within Downtown Bridgeport.