Downtown Thursdays return to Bridgeport, sponsor music festival

Sponsored by the Bridgeport Arts and Cultural Council, the free event will run from 5-9 p.m. and will include live bands, music and vendors, according to the council’s promotional material. Pangea Worldbeat, a “genre-bending” group with afrobeat, space-funk and soul influences, and West Hill Road, a Stamford band recently spotlighted on NPR’s DeskOfTheDay segment, are listed as the headlining live music acts.

The bands will begin playing at 6:15 p.m., with attendees having the option to bring lawn chairs or other seating options, according to event organizers.

For those looking for a replacement to the recently-cancelled Soundside Music Festival, Downtown Thursdays is also collaborating in the first annual Park City Music Festival in Bridgeport, which will kick off at 2 p.m. at Seaside Park. Bronx-born KRS One, a recognizable figure in the early New York hip-hop scene who was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2007 BET Hip Hop Awards, will feature at the event alongside Bridgeport rap group The Skinny Boys.

The once-weekly event will run through Aug. 24 at McLevy Green, according to the City of Bridgeport. Next week’s event will take on more of a rock-and-roll tune, spotlighting Greg Sherrod & Band alongside Jake Kulak & The Modern Vandals.