In the past two decades of Block Party music in downtown Anderson, late afternoon rain has led to some cancellations.
In recent years, organizers from both the Main Street Program and The Market Theatre Company kept the show going by utilizing the sheltered but open bay window breeze inside the Wren Pavilion, next to Carolina Wren Park, with packed crowds watching the Mac Arnold and Plate Full 'O Blues in 2018, and Shakespeare In the Park's "The Tempest" in 2023.
Organizer Carey Jones said he looked at the weather forecast and moved to the Pavilion, whose open-air bay windows overlook the open sky park.
While welcoming the crowd, Jones mentioned the nice acoustics in the pavilion.
Rain was not expected until 9 p.m., but regardless, the Nathan Angelo band and music lovers of rock and soul classics could enjoy an evening of classics shaded from the sweltering 85-degree heat. The rain eventually came after the show around 10 p.m.
The Main Street Program's Piedmont Natural Gas Block Party 2024 season is one-fourth done with Nathan Angelo. In summer activity planning, residents can feel good about free concerts in the park, rain or shine.
Next Thursday, May 30, Thunder Gypsy takes the stage. The Market Theatre Company's next free musical in Carolina Wren Park is Aug. 22-26 with "James and the Giant Peach."
Karen Riley holds Mabel the Chihuahua while clapping for Nathan Angelo and his band, during the fourth week of the 2024 season of Piedmont Natural Gas Block Party in downtown Anderson, S.C. May 23. The 16 date season has bands each Thursday 6 p.m., except July 4, through August 25.
Organizer Carey Jones welcomes the crowd to the fourth week of a 16-week season of the Main Street Program's Piedmont Natural Gas Block Party in downtown Anderson, S.C. May 23. The 16 date season has bands each Thursday 6 p.m., except July 4, through August 25.
Nathan Angelo plays inside the Wren Pavilion during the fourth week of the Main Street Program's Piedmont Natural Gas Block Party at the Wren Pavilion in downtown Anderson, S.C. May 23. The 16 date season has bands each Thursday 6 p.m., except July 4, through August 25. A forecast of 50 percent possible rain helped organizers decide to move in the sheltered area instead of in the open of Carolina Wren Park, an option which allows the band to play their full set regardless of weather.
Nathan Angelo and band play during the fourth week of the 2024 season of Piedmont Natural Gas Block Party at the Wren Pavilion in downtown Anderson, S.C. May 23. A forecast of 50 percent possible rain helped organizers decide to move in the sheltered area instead of in the open of Carolina Wren Park, an option which allows the band to play their full set regardless of weather.
Children play in the splash pad at Carolina Wren Park with the temperature at 85-degrees in the early evening, while Piedmont Natural Gas Block Party moved under the shelter of the Wren Pavilion to be safe from forecast of possible rain in downtown Anderson, S.C. May 23.
Ariel (Jordan Davis) raises her arms dancing with fellow cast members during the first showing of Shakespeare in the Park - The Tempest, at Carolina Wren Park in Anderson, S.C. Thursday, June 15, 2023.
