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Photograph by Johanna Carson
Ike Cosse sings the blues on Murphy Avenue for the Sunnyvale Farmers Market on July 18. The Jesse Charles Band performs on July 25.
Food and music bring in more excitement
Residents enjoy the show on Murphy Ave.
By Melissa Matchak
The sounds of live music and smells of fresh food in downtown Sunnyvale drew a crowd of approximately 3,000 people to the first night of the second annual Sunnyvale Summer Series Music and Market on July 11.
The eight-week series will be held each Wednesday night through Aug. 29 from 5 to 8:30 p.m. on Murphy and Washington Avenues in downtown Sunnyvale. Joe Antuzzi, chairman of the Sunnyvale Downtown Association, said the association hopes to draw the city's residents as well as others to the downtown area.
"We wanted to do something to bring people downtown," Antuzzi said. "We wanted to let people know that during construction there are downtown businesses open."
Music and Market features a farmer's market with not only fresh produce but also hot food along Washington Street during the event. Beer and wine booths along Murphy Avenue feature wine from a different local winery each week and are open throughout the event.
Live music is performed from 6 to 8:30 p.m., featuring a wide variety of bands playing a many styles of music. Antuzzi said the music genres scheduled for the summer series ranges from rock to jazz to country to soul.
The Joe Sharino Band kicked off the festival this year on July 11, followed by Fred McCarty and Company performing country music on July 18. The Jesse Charles Band will perform dance music on July 25.
Photograph by Johanna Carson
Customers get a taste of the fresh goods at the Sunnyvale Farmers Market before making their purchase from Twin Girls Farm.
David Ladd and the Downtown All-Stars will perform contemporary jazz and party music on Aug. 1. Aug. 8 brings The Jumpin' Jambalaya Jazz Band. The Marvin Banks Band will perform R&B and soul music on Aug. 15. The Joe Ferrari Big Band will perform on Aug. 22, and the Dead Posers Society will perform modern rock on Aug. 29.
Antuzzi said the downtown association hopes to continue the event next year. The association was formed in March 2000 to encourage downtown businesses to get together and form a voice in the community.
"We want to keep downtown viable," said Antuzzi, who is one of the founding members of the association.
Music and Market is a free event, with tickets for beer, wine, and food sold at the event. The Sunnyvale Summer Series is sponsored by the Sunnyvale Downtown Business Association, the city of Sunnyvale and the Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce.
Antuzzi said although many of the downtown merchants are happy to have residents gather in the area because it may increase business, some are not as pleased, complaining that the event creates a parking problem in the area.
The Sunnyvale Downtown Association also sponsors events throughout the year including the Halloween pancake breakfast and the Christmas tree lighting.
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Sunnyvale, California Since 1994
