Downtown street party moves to a new, and better, location

This is our Summer Fun issue, an exhaustive list of fairs, festivals, concerts in the park and other seasonal events coming our way.

Much of it is familiar, because there are a lot of annual events. But one new thing is Downtown Shutdown, a reincarnation of Party on the Plaza ( which won’t be happening due to the upcoming renovation of the Stambaugh Building into a hotel).

The series of Friday after-work street parties will take place in the new parking lot on West Federal Street, where the Kress Building once stood, directly across from The Federal.

A joint project of the city, the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber and Eric Ryan Productions, the new series dates are June 10 with DJ Blaze of Las Vegas ($5); July 8 with ever-popular Pittsburgh rockers The Clarks ($10); Aug. 5 with Abby Abbondanza ($5), who rose to fame with Poverty Neck Hillbillies; and Aug. 19 with Disco Inferno ($10), who are a blast.

Admission will be free from 4 to 6 p.m. for those who can “shut down” the office early (that’s where the name comes from). The main entertainment will be from 7 to 11 p.m., and there will be a cash bar and food trucks.

Party on the Plaza was a little off the beaten path, but the Kress lot is a great space because it’s hemmed in by buildings on three sides and opens up to the heart of the bar district. It remains to be seen if it will be too big, too small, too loud, or just right, but it seems like a natural.

JONES FOR REVIVAL PLANS SHOW TO SAY THANKS TO FANS

Jones for Revival has been going at it for 10 years, and the Youngstown-based jam band is marking the milestone with a new album, “Ten Years Young” (available on Spotify and iTunes), and a free show this Friday at the Magic Tree in Boardman.

The funky, free-form and fun outfit led by Jimmy DeCapua has played countless shows in many states, and its local fan base is one of the largest and most devoted.

Friday’s family-friendly show will start at 7 p.m. and end at 11. It’s a dinner-then-drinks type of thing and will take place on the patio.

After a decade of grooves and good times, DeCapua said his band has so many memories, it’s ridiculous. “I can sit and tell you so many hilarious stories – some sad, some dumb – and altogether they make for a great history of something I am very proud to be involved with,” he said.

The new album might be available at Friday’s show if the shipment arrives in time. But there will definitely be brand new “10-year anniversary” JFR T-shirts for sale.

Other news in the JFR universe: The annual REVIVE Music and Arts Festival will take place July 16 at B&O Station in Youngstown, with a lineup that will include Tropidelic, Vibe & Direct, 5 Elements, Cosmic Lemons, Spirit of the Bear, the Super Babes, Youngstonians, beatboxer Stephen Lewis, Peeker and a lot more.

DeCapua also has put together another project, JD3, with bass player Gabriel Davis and drummer Peege (both of JFR), that will focus on touring. The new act will launch a mini-tour of Colorado, where the band is quite at home, in June, and then head to the South in August. Go to JimDeCapua.com for info.

GEO’S MUSIC is BACK IN OLD SPOT

Geo’s Music, the shop in downtown Youngstown that sells new and used vinyl and CDs, and other cool collectibles, is in the process of moving back to its old location at 228 W. Boardman St.

The shop had moved to the second floor of the Downtown Draught House several months ago to be closer to the Federal Street nightlife, but that experiment is over. The store is owned by George Case, frontman of Geo C and Tha Storm, which has got to be the funkiest and tightest band within 100 miles.

Email Guy D’Astolfo at dastolfo@vindy.com.