Block Party back for another round

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Now in its second year, the Block Party is expanding.

The hip-hop-flavored festival will take place Saturday on South Champion Street, downtown. Seven acts will perform outdoors on the loading dock next to Soap Gallery, starting at 3 p.m., with Pittsburgh rapper Benji as the headliner.

Doors open at 2 p.m. Admission is $15 for the BYOB event.

The event is organized by Cristian Labra of the Labra Brothers, Danny Svenson of Spirit of the Bear, Sam DiGiacomo, Mike Caraballo, Ethan Ngo and Alison Green

The goal is to build the annual event into a platform for underexposed – but deserving – artists.

The Block Party is growing along with its performers.

“Last year had very much a DIY-type feel,” said Labra. “We only had access to the Soap Gallery and the loading dock next to it, but this year we are closing off the street, and we’ve partnered with some great local businesses to sponsor the event.”

Vendors will set up booths along the street, and there will also be street games, food, giveaways and more.

“We picked our visual artists mostly based on their talent, and the fact that some of them haven’t had an opportunity to display their work in front of a crowd of this size before,” said Labra.

“We also wanted to recruit some rising regional musicians to connect the Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Youngstown music scene.”

Here is the schedule:

3 p.m.: Phriends

4 p.m.: Jon Scott and the Summer Solstice

5 p.m.: Back Alley Sound

6 p.m.: Peso

7 p.m.: Seth Hasan

8:15 p.m.: My Favorite Color

9:30 p.m.: Benji