FRIDAYS AFTER FIVE

Fridays After Five is THE most extraordinary event a city can offer its community. Neighbors and friends meet after winter hibernation enjoying good dining and conversation while local merchants and vendors reap the benefits. It is a time when we honor the local talent that flourishes here like Johnny O or Wanda and the White Boys or Terri Allard. After fifteen participatory years, I feel qualified to question the impending fee issue. WHO benefits from FAF? Have the administrators conducted a needs survey? Is fiscal management of the event under scrutiny?

From 5:30 to 7, the groups enjoying the music are the mentally challenged and the children who dance and romp. This is a remarkable sight. Are these groups (and their caretakers) interested in the level of musical talent? Will they return this year if fees are charged?

On the street at the top near vendors with beer or wine glass in hand are the ‘singles’. From this distance and judging from the conversations, these individuals have little interest in the presentation below. Among this group are the university students, a transient group that changes year after year. Is THIS the crowd we aim to please? The ‘singles’ group spills out over the hill into the ‘other’ groups. These consist of diehard regulars, families picnicking, seniors with their folding chairs and the FEW individuals who are drawn specifically for the music.

FAF is a local event- social, economy booster, featured talent. Will we next be seeing events like the Arts and Crafts Fair, Vegetarian Festival and others in Lee Park charging admission as well? These are sad times when the core of Charlottesville, the very reason why people move and/or stay here in the first place, the family atmosphere, is shaken at its roots.

If the Downtown Foundation wants to attract national talent then perhaps it should do so on Saturdays and save Fridays for the citizenry who come in rain or baking sun. Maybe the DF could focus on providing more shade from sweltering sunsets then discouraging participants.